If you have amalgam dental fillings and are living with ME/CFS, you may have come across the question of whether mercury in those fillings could be a contributing factor to how you feel. This is an area some people explore as part of understanding their overall picture.
I want to be clear from the outset: this article presents one avenue that some people investigate. It is not a suggested cause of ME/CFS, and it is not a route to a straightforward fix. But it is a question worth exploring if it resonates with your experience, and there are some simple steps available to those who want to look into it further.
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The 7 energy-draining mistakes people with ME/CFS make
Amalgam fillings are one thread people investigate. This short PDF covers seven of the most common patterns that quietly drain energy in ME/CFS and chronic fatigue, including physical and environmental factors. Practical, readable, and yours to keep.
What Some Research Suggests
Amalgam dental fillings contain mercury, and some research has explored a possible connection between mercury exposure and a range of chronic conditions, including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and others.
Mercury is a heavy metal. Some studies suggest it has a vapour pressure, meaning that small amounts may vaporise from fillings over time. The concern some researchers have raised is that this slow, ongoing exposure could place an additional burden on the immune system, particularly in people who are already unwell.
Some of the mechanisms discussed in this research include:
- Mercury vapour potentially passing into the body through the gums and bloodstream
- Possible effects at a cellular level, disrupting basic metabolic processes
- An added burden on an immune system already under strain
It is important to note that this remains a contested area. There is no established scientific consensus that amalgam fillings cause ME/CFS, and individual responses to mercury exposure vary considerably. If this is something you are considering, a conversation with a medical professional is the right starting point.
A Personal Perspective
I had all my own amalgam fillings removed during the years I was navigating ME/CFS. It made some difference. But it did not address what I later came to understand as the root of what I was experiencing.
“Removing the fillings was one piece. But the nervous system pattern, the one keeping my body locked in a state of high alert, was still there. That is what needed addressing.”
Amir Norris, Fatigue & Burnout Coach
In my experience working with people navigating ME/CFS over many years, the pattern I see most consistently is a nervous system stuck in a hyper-vigilant stress response: fight, flight or freeze. A past stressor, trauma, shock, or gradual accumulation of pressure is often the trigger.
When the nervous system is locked in that survival state, the immune system can become suppressed. This may reduce the body’s ability to manage environmental burdens, including heavy metals, as efficiently as it otherwise would.
So rather than viewing amalgam removal as the primary step, my perspective is that supporting the immune system by interrupting the nervous system’s survival response is the more foundational approach. Amalgam removal may be worth exploring as part of a broader picture, but it is unlikely to be sufficient on its own.
If you do choose to explore amalgam removal, it is worth seeking a dentist who specialises in this area and uses a dental dam to minimise any re-exposure during the procedure.
A Natural Approach Some People Explore
Separately from amalgam removal, some people explore dietary approaches aimed at supporting the body’s natural processes. One that has been discussed in this context is the use of fresh coriander.
A 1998 study by Dr Yoshiaki Omura explored whether coriander leaf might support the body’s ability to process heavy metals. Some people have taken an interest in his coriander pesto recipe as a gentle, low-cost step to explore alongside other approaches.
I share it here as something some people choose to try, not as a medical recommendation. Always discuss any supplements or dietary changes with your GP or a qualified nutritionist.
Coriander Leaf Pesto
Based on the approach explored by Dr Yoshiaki Omura (1998). Shared for informational purposes only.
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ cup almonds, cashews, or other nuts
- 1 cup packed fresh coriander leaves
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
Blend the coriander with the olive oil until roughly chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and process to a coarse paste, adding a little warm water if needed and scraping down the sides. Adjust consistency with more oil or lemon juice, keeping roughly a 3:1 ratio of oil to juice. Freezes well.
Some people take approximately two teaspoons a day for two to three weeks, once or twice a year. Consult a healthcare professional before starting.
The nervous system pattern behind ME/CFS
Understanding the stress response that keeps so many people stuck is often the most important first step. The free mini-course explores this in six short videos.
Watch the Free Mini-CourseKeeping This in Perspective
It can be tempting, when living with ME/CFS, to pursue every possible avenue in the hope that one of them holds the answer. Amalgam fillings are one thread that some people pull on. For some, it forms part of a broader picture of improvement. For others, it makes little difference.
What I have found, both through my own experience and through working with many people over the years, is that the nervous system dimension tends to be the most consistent factor. Environmental and dietary considerations can support the process, but they work best alongside, not instead of, addressing the underlying stress response pattern.
If this area is of interest, the guide on what’s really happening in your body with ME/CFS gives more context on the immune and nervous system involvement in the condition.
