98 Potentiating Agents Adequate sulfur stores are necessary to facilitate mercury's binding to sulfhydryl groups. Many individual's sulfur stores are greatly depleted which impairs sulfur containing chelating or complexing agents, such as DMPS or DMSA, effectiveness as they are metabolized and utilized as a source of sulfur. 101 Fresh garlic is preferred as it has many other recently documented benefits. The garlic is consumed just below the threshold of social unacceptability, which is typically 1-2 cloves per day. Antioxidants Vitamin E doses of 400 I.U per day have been shown to have a protective effect when the brain is exposed to methyl-mercury.
Selenium facilitates the function of glutathione, which is also important in mercury detoxification.
Some clinicians find repetitive high dose intravenous glutathione useful, especially in neurologically compromised patients. 114 Doses larger than 50-100 mg per day should be used with caution. Vitamin C is also a helpful supplement for mercury elimination as it will tend to mobilize mercury from intracellular stores. 121 HA is utilized in many chemotherapy protocols as a potentiating agent. 122 HA is also being utilized for many novel applications in medicine.