Metal Toxicology and Advanced Detoxification Strategies in Clinical Practice  
April 21-22, 2010

Heavy metal exposure and toxicity is a major influence on health and longevity, but physicians and other health professionals are rarely educated in this area. They are often unaware of the latest scientific findings on toxic metal pollution and exposure and are therefore poorly prepared to advise their patients about sources of exposure and methods of detoxification for optimal well being; or using diet and lifestyle modification as a treatment strategy in the management of heavy metal toxicity.

Your patients are increasingly being exposed to toxic metals that are adversely affecting their health. The Centers for Disease Control and the popular press have been reporting on high levels of lead in children’s toys and cosmetics, high levels of mercury in fish, and high levels of cadmium and arsenic from industrial waste and even in certain herbal supplements. Properly identifying and treating patients with heavy metal exposure is fundamental to good health, yet many practitioners lack the basic expertise in Heavy Metal Toxicology to recommend treatment strategies to their patients.

To meet this growing need, this course will provide you with essential information on:

·         Practical strategies for incorporating heavy metal detoxification into your practice

·         Tools to evaluate Heavy Metal exposure and toxicity

·         Recommendations on how to diagnose and treat patients with heavy metal toxicity

·         Using diet and nutrition to optimize detoxification pathways

·         Medical and political aspects of heavy metal exposure on health

Target Audience

The workshop is designed for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, naturopaths, and other professionals who make heavy metal toxicology recommendations as part of their professional practices.

The workshop provides an overview and practical summary of the latest information on metal toxicology presented by leaders in scientific research and clinicians skilled in heavy metal detoxification.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the educational activity, participants should be able to…

1. Review and discuss the history of metal toxicity.
2. Identify sources of exposures of common heavy metals known to adversely affect health; e.g., arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury.
3. Delineate the absorption, tissue distribution, excretion and ultimate toxicity of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury.
4. Recognize the signs and symptoms of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury toxicity.
5. Utilize a Symptoms Survey to identify patients in need of evaluation for metal toxicity.
6. Compare and contrast chelating agents, including efficacy, side effect profiles, and cost.
7. Delineate appropriate diagnostic work-ups for suspected cases of metal toxicity.
8. Discuss treatment options for metal toxicity, including indications and contraindications for chelation therapy.
9. Describe nutritional and supportive therapies to ease common side effects of the various chelating agents.

Lecture Schedule

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

8:00 - 9:00 am - An introduction to heavy metals for the practicing physician
                        James Biddle, MD

9:00 - 10:00 am - Mercury: Sources, Exposure and Health Effects
                          Christopher Shade, PhD

10:30 - 11:30 am - DMSA and DMPS: Clinical use in practice
                           Jessica Tran, ND

11:30 - 12:00 pm - Expert Panel

1:00 - 1:45 pm - Arsenic and Cadmium: Sources, Exposure and Health Effects
                        Lyn Patrick, ND

1:45 - 2:30 pm - Lead toxicity: Silent killer in the U.S. 
                          Dorothy Merritt, MD

2:30 - 3:00 pm - Legal Update

3:30 - 4:30 pm - CaEDTA & NaEDTA - When and how to use in practice
                        Jeffrey Morrison, MD

4:30 - 5:00 pm - Expert Panel

Thursday, April 22, 2010

8:00 - 9:00 am - D-penicillamine in toxic metal detoxification
                        Russell Jaffe, MD, PhD

9:00 - 10:00 am - Boyd Haley, PhD

10:30 - 11:30 am - Clinical approaches to detoxification in children
                             Kenneth Bock, MD

11:30 - 12:00 pm - Expert Panel

1:00 - 2:00 pm - Glutathione in metals detoxification
                        Tim Guilford, MD

2:00 - 3:00 pm - Nutrition and supportive therapies
                        Walter Crinnion, ND

3:30 -4:30 pm - Appropriate laboratory testing for metal toxicology
                       David Quig, PhD

4:30 - 5:00 pm - Expert Panel