Okay, look… I like Parents magazine. And Parenting, and BabyTalk… they’re some of my favorite reading materials for getting tips, ideas and advice on raising Konan.

But sometimes I’m just amazed at what makes it into the magazines under the guise of balanced journalism. The fact that they really toe the “company line” (i.e. promote what the establishment tells them to) becomes really evident at times.

Last month, it was an article called “Chiropractors for Kids?” which seemed like it was going to be a fair examination until the author started slamming chiropractic as possible quackery, mainly based on the fact that a lot of chiropractors (and other holistic health practitioners) don’t believe that giving kids a ton of vaccinations during their first few years of life — more than ever in the history of the world — is safe.

Yes, I accept the fact that these mainstream magazines are going to be pro-vaccination, for the same reason that Konan’s pediatrician HAS TO ask about shots every time we go in for a visit. They’re strongly regulated in these areas, and we have to take it all with a grain of salt.

But I can’t believe the blurb I just read in this month’s issue:

“Dental News Flash: It’s safe for kids ages 6 and up to get metal fillings when they have cavities, finds a review of more than 200 studies by the FDA. Known as dental amalgam, the metal mixture contains a small amount of mercury, but research shows that the amount of mercury vapor that’s released during the filling process isn’t high enough to be harmful.”

WHAT??? One of the most toxic substances in the world is OKAY to put in my child’s mouth? I DON’T THINK SO!

It goes on to say that the study couldn’t confirm safety for children under 6 years old.

So first they tell us that it’s okay to inject our kids with toxins and chemicals through the form of vaccines, and now it’s okay to put it in their mouths… because only a LITTLE BIT is going to leach out and get swallowed?

I yi yi… that’s just nuts. Hopefully Konan won’t get cavities (when he ever gets around to growing teeth, that is) but if he does, he’ll be getting non-metal composite fillings.

If you’re a pro-vaccination parent who’s getting riled up over what I just wrote, consider this from Diana Fatayerji, M.S., Ph.D., in Inspired Parenting Magazine‘s Spring 2004 issue: “Adverse reactions are believed to be a result of contaminants contained in the vaccines, including viruses, bacterial toxins and chemicals used in the preparation or preserving of the vaccine.”

I just wrote an article on Vaccine Side Effects in Infants for LiveStrong.com which goes into this topic deeper. It’s a balanced and heavily-researched piece, and though the focus is infants, the same is true for all kids… and there may be some evidence there that you hadn’t considered before.

Keep Unwrapping the Mysteries of Life!