In the last few weeks you may have heard a lot about Mercury (and compounds containing mercury, such as thimerisol), especailly in regards to vaccines and in light of the autism hearings in congress. What you may (or may not) know is that mercury ( in the form thimerisol) has largely been removed from most childhood vaccines (except mult-vial flu shots). For many, they believe that since the mercury has been removed, these vaccines are now “safer”and “greener”, because they do not contain mercury. What many people do not realize is that IN PLACE of the Mercury (thimerisol), many of these vaccines have put in (or already contained) the ingredient ALUMINUM (in the form of Aluminum salts).
The reason metals are found in vaccination is 2 fold. They have both preservative and adjuvant purposes in the vaccine vial.
A PRESERVATIVE is defined as and additive to prevent contamination and growth of potentially harmful bacteria.
An ADJUVANT is defined as a substance that enhances the body’s immune response to an antigen.
Dr. Christopher Shaw explains Aluminum Adjuvants (excerpt from the documentary The Greater Good):
Now that you know what their purpose is… here is a list of what adjuvants and preservatives are in the current vaccines in the United States:
Table from the CDC
Most every vaccine on this list contains an Aluminum Salt Adjuvant. Listen to this next researcher who has dedicated his career to Aluminum, Dr. Chris Exley, to hear that this metal is not required for any metabolic or life process in the human body (unlike other metals and minerals like Iron or Selenium). He points out the dangers of aluminum containing antacids and the ability to INDUCE allergy by changing the pH of the gut. And he also reveals the possible therapeutic effect that Silica (in the form of mineral water) may have on helping to detoxify the body of Aluminum overload. This is a facinating, thought provoking lecture, that I encourage everyone to watch, even if you zone out for some of the science. I believe this topic is especially relavant to anyone who has a family member afflicted by autism, ADD, ADHD, Alzheimer’s, Auto Immune disorders, Allergies or Parkinson’s.
Dr. Christopher Exley- The Systemic Toxicity of Aluminium Adjuvants
SOURCES of ALUMINUM (according to Dr.Exley’s Talk)-
~Antacids and OTC Aspirin
~Parental Solutions (TPN)
And Now…Here is the SCIENCE:
Hepatitis B vaccine induces apoptotic death in Hepa1-6 cells
Vaccines can have adverse side-effects, and these are predominantly associated with the inclusion of chemical additives such as aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. The objective of this study was to establish an in vitro model system amenable to mechanistic investigations of cytotoxicity induced by hepatitis B vaccine, and to investigate the mechanisms of vaccine-induced cell death.
We conclude that exposure of Hepa1-6 cells to a low dose of adjuvanted hepatitis B vaccine leads to loss of mitochondrial integrity, apoptosis induction, and cell death, apoptosis effect was observed also in C2C12 mouse myoblast cell line after treated with low dose of vaccine (0.3, 0.1, 0.05 μg/ml). In addition In vivo apoptotic effect of hepatitis B vaccine was observed in mouse liver.
Inhibition by aluminum hydroxide of the voltage-dependent closure of the mitochondrial channel, VDAC.
Micromolar quantities of aluminum have been found (Dill et al. (1987) J. Membrane Biol. 99, 187-196) to reduce the voltage dependence of the mitochondrial outer membrane channel, VDAC, from Neurospora crassa
While the [AI3+] is vanishingly low at neutral pH, the trihydroxide is the major form and should be considered as an important candidate for aluminum-induced cellular effects.
Mechanisms of aluminum adjuvant toxicity and autoimmunity in pediatric populations.
Immune challenges during early development, including those vaccine-induced, can lead to permanent detrimental alterations of the brain and immune function. Experimental evidence also shows that simultaneous administration of as little as two to three immune adjuvants can overcome genetic resistance to autoimmunity. In some developed countries, by the time children are 4 to 6 years old, they will have received a total of 126 antigenic compounds along with high amounts of aluminum (Al) adjuvants through routine vaccinations. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, safety assessments for vaccines have often not included appropriate toxicity studies because vaccines have not been viewed as inherently toxic. Taken together, these observations raise plausible concerns about the overall safety of current childhood vaccination programs. When assessing adjuvant toxicity in children, several key points ought to be considered: (i) infants and children should not be viewed as “small adults” with regard to toxicological risk as their unique physiology makes them much more vulnerable to toxic insults; (ii) in adult humans Al vaccine adjuvants have been linked to a variety of serious autoimmune and inflammatory conditions (i.e., “ASIA”), yet children are regularly exposed to much higher amounts of Al from vaccines than adults; (iii) it is often assumed that peripheral immune responses do not affect brain function. However, it is now clearly established that there is a bidirectional neuro-immune cross-talk that plays crucial roles in immunoregulation as well as brain function. In turn, perturbations of the neuro-immune axis have been demonstrated in many autoimmune diseases encompassed in “ASIA” and are thought to be driven by a hyperactive immune response; and (iv) the same components of the neuro-immune axis that play key roles in brain development and immune function are heavily targeted by Al adjuvants. In summary, research evidence shows that increasing concerns about current vaccination practices may indeed be warranted. Because children may be most at risk of vaccine-induced complications, a rigorous evaluation of the vaccine-related adverse health impacts in the pediatric population is urgently needed.
The spectrum of ASIA: ‘Autoimmune (Auto-inflammatory) Syndrome induced by Adjuvants
During the past year a new syndrome was introduced and termed ASIA, ‘Autoimmune (Auto-inflammatory) Syndrome induced by Adjuvants’.1 This syndrome assembles a spectrum of immune-mediated diseases triggered by an adjuvant stimulus.2 – 4 The use of medical adjuvants has become common practice and substances such as aluminum adjuvant are added to most human and animal vaccines, while the adjuvant silicone is extensively used for breast implants and cosmetic procedures….
It seems that the role of adjuvants in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases can no longer be ignored, and the medical community must look towards producing safer adjuvants
Aluminium overload after 5 years in skin biopsy following post-vaccination with subcutaneous pseudolymphoma
The pathogenic role of aluminium hydroxide is now recognized by the presence of chronic fatigue syndrome, macrophagic myofasciitis and subcutaneous pseudolymphoma, linked to intramuscular injection of aluminium hydroxide-containing vaccines.
Given the pathology of this patient and the high Al concentration in skin biopsy, the authors wish to draw attention when using the Al salts known to be particularly effective as adjuvants in single or repeated vaccinations. The possible release of Al may induce other pathologies ascribed to the well-known toxicity of this metal.
Aluminum hydroxide injections lead to motor deficits and motor neuron degeneration.
Gulf War Syndrome is a multi-system disorder afflicting many veterans of Western armies in the 1990-1991 Gulf War. A number of those afflicted may show neurological deficits including various cognitive dysfunctions and motor neuron disease, the latter expression virtually indistinguishable from classical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) except for the age of onset.
Possible causes of GWS include several of the adjuvants in the anthrax vaccine and others. The most likely culprit appears to be aluminum hydroxide.
Aluminum-treated mice showed significantly increased apoptosis of motor neurons and increases in reactive astrocytes and microglial proliferation within the spinal cord and cortex.
The demonstrated neurotoxicity of aluminum hydroxide and its relative ubiquity as an adjuvant suggest that greater scrutiny by the scientific community is warranted.
Empirical Data Confirm Autism Symptoms Related to Aluminum and Acetaminophen Exposure
Mentions of autism in VAERS increased steadily at the end of the last century, during a period when mercury was being phased out, while aluminum adjuvant burden was being increased. Using standard log-likelihood ratio techniques, we identify several signs and symptoms that are significantly more prevalent in vaccine reports after 2000, including cellulitis, seizure, depression, fatigue, pain and death, which are also significantly associated with aluminum-containing vaccines. We propose that children with the autism diagnosis are especially vulnerable to toxic metals such as aluminum and mercury due to insufficient serum sulfate and glutathione. A strong correlation between autism and the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine is also observed, which may be partially explained via an increased sensitivity to acetaminophen administered to control fever
Mitochondrial pathway leading to programmed cell death induced by aluminum phytotoxicity in Arabidopsis
Recent studies have reported some apoptosis-like characters under Al treatment including nucleus morphology changes and appearance of nucleus fragmentation in plant cells. Our recent report has suggested that mitochondrial oxidative burst, mitochondrial swelling and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) disrupt play crucial roles in Al-induced caspase-3-like activation and programmed cell death (PCD). And Complex I and III might be the sources of Al-induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) through interaction between Al and iron-sulfur (Fe-S) protein.
Disparate adjuvant properties among three formulations of “alum”
Aluminum adjuvants, commonly referred to as “alum,” are the most widespread immunostimulants in human vaccines. Although the mechanisms that promote humoral responses to alum-adsorbed antigens are still enigmatic, alum is thought to form antigen depots and induce inflammatory signals that, in turn, promote antibody production.
The strength of the humoral responses elicited by different alum formulations was correlated with the quantity of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced and the numbers of inflammatory cells at the site of immunization.
These findings reveal substantial differences in the immunostimulatory properties of distinct alum preparations, an important point of consideration for the evaluation of novel adjuvants, the assessment of new alum-based vaccines, and in mechanistic studies of adjuvanticity.
Aluminum Toxicity Is Associated with Mitochondrial
Dysfunction and the Production of Reactive Oxygen
Species in Plant Cells
Potential mechanisms of Al toxicity measured as Al-induced inhibition of growth in cultured tobacco cells (Nicotiana tabacum, nonchlorophyllic cell line SL) and pea (Pisum sativum) roots were investigated. Compared with the control treatment without Al, the accumulation of Al in tobacco cells caused instantaneously the repression of mitochondrial activities [monitored by the reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and the uptake of Rhodamine 123] and, after a lag of about 12 h, triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, respiration inhibition, ATP depletion, and the loss of growth capability almost simultaneously.
Taken together, we conclude that Al affects mitochondrial functions, which leads to ROS production, probably the key critical event in Al inhibition of cell growth.
CDC Aluminum Toxicity Report
Growth reduction, hypotonia, muscle weakness, and craniosynostosis (premature ossification of the skull and obliteration of the sutures) have been observed in healthy infants following prolonged used of oral antacids for the treatment of colic (Pivnick et al. 1995). These effects were related to secondary hypophosphatemia caused by aluminum binding to phosphate in the gut and markedly reduced phosphate absorption.
The mechanism of toxicity has not been established for most of the toxic end points. Additional information on the mechanisms of toxicity would be useful for developing methods for reducing the toxicity of aluminum.
However, there is conflicting evidence on whether the threshold of toxicity, particularly neurotoxicity, would be lower in children. Multiple species studies using a relevant route of exposure, such as ingestion, and examining a wide range of effects in immature, mature, and older animals would be useful in assessing the children’s susceptibility to the toxicity of aluminum. Additionally, there are no studies on the influence of immature renal function on aluminum retention in the body and no studies on the long-term effects of aluminum exposure on skeletal maturation or neurotoxicity. There are some data suggesting age-related differences in the toxicokinetic properties of aluminum.
This presentation aptly summarizes all the many concerns and questions that exist in my mind about what is being injected into our children…and ourselves…
Vaccines and Childhood Illnesses: Beyond Thimerosal. David Ayoub, MD
Do you have more questions than answers about Aluminum Adjuvants? I do!