Heave hoe, silver!

The controversy surrounding silver amalgam dental fillings continues to rage on. Silver amalgam fillings are not silver at all, but half mercury with a little silver added, along with copper, tin and zinc. The ADA still insists that they are safe, despite the fact that one of the primary components is mercury, a highly toxic metal. When the body is exposed to mercury for a prolonged period of time, all sorts of health problems can arise, including autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and lupus. Dental fillings release mercury vapors, which means if you have fillings, you are continuously inhaling toxic fumes. Studies have shown that the greatest exposure to mercury in humans is from amalgam fillings.

The good news is that dental authorities have come up with an option: a filling material called glass ionomers. The bad news is that the ionomers are just as bad, if not worse, than "silver" amalgams.

Glass ionomers are designed to release a constant supply of fluoride, which is intended to protect the teeth from decay. But fluoride has been shown to enhance the absorption of aluminum. Research has linked aluminum to Alzheimer's disease and kidney failure. 

To locate a holistic dentist in your area who can offer you REAL alternatives to the poisons mainstream dentists continue to put into your mouth, contact the Holistic Dental Association at P.O. Box 5007, Durango, CO 81301 or visit them on-line at www.holisticdental.org.

Your most crucial hour

The "golden period" for saving lives following a heart attack is the first hour. You need to know the following warning signs, so you can get help right away, either for yourself or someone close to you.

Uncomfortable heaviness, pressure, pain, or squeezing in the center of the chest
Pain that goes to the shoulders, neck, or arms (usually the left arm but it can be to the right)
Discomfort in the chest, along with a lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath

America's No. 1 killer is still heart and blood vessel diseases, with 490,000 deaths a year. So get help fast if you feel any of the above symptoms. Many lives can be saved by acting quickly and being aware of the signals your body is sending you.