Mercury and autism

Is mercury the cause of autism?

What needs to be understood is that mercury was once used as a preservative in some vaccines in the past but this is not true today. Yet autism numbers continue to increase. A large federal study revealed that there was no correlation between vaccines and autism. 

A recent study looked at dietary habits of families, use of dental, amalgam, personal care products, consumption of seafood and levels of mercury at different times during the life of a child. After adjusting for variables, the study revealed that there was no difference in mercury levels in autistic versus normal children. 

However, the study needs to be looked at with a few considerations. Mercury only remains in the body for several months and is rapidly excreted. There is always the possibility that the metal could have damaged the brain and no longer be present in the body. If this is true than measuring levels of mercury is meaningless. Secondly, the fetus may have been exposed to mercury during pregnancy, perhaps from the mother’s diet. 

Therefore, for the moment the cause of autism remains an enigma. The only thing that can be said from all the present studies is that mercury levels in individuals with autism are not elevated.