I read some scientific articles and reports of bacteria that can neutralize or detoxify heavy metals, such as Mercury, Lead and Cadmium. I then wondered if the microorganisms contained in kefir could possibly detoxify the body from heavy metals.
I did some research and found out that Lactobacillus Casei, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and other microorganisms contained in kefir can chelate heavy metals.
Neither of the two articles you link to mention Mercury they do however mention arsenic and cadmium. Maybe there is information out there that proves that a specific bacteria does chelate mercury
well at least this study had no success with chelating mercury using bacteria
Abstract
Heavy metal chelation property of exopolysaccharide produced by Enterobacter cloaceae, a marine bacterium, isolated from the West Coast of India, is reported in this paper. The exopolysaccharide demonstrated excellent chelating properties with respect to cadmium (65%) followed by copper (20%) and cobalt (8%) at 100 mg/l heavy metal concentration. However, it could not chelatemercury. A comparative study of the percentage biosorption of the above mentioned metals is presented here.
So, from what you read, how does it benefit us and what do we do? I eat cultured coconut milk yogurt (can't have normal yogurt due to casein intolerance) several times a week, so I get some probiotics that way gradually.
If I dump a ton in me by taking, say, "Super Critical" (100 billion per capsule) several days, will that really do any good? Or is this something that can only be done gradually?
Not to mention mercury is my main concern, though probiotics that help prevent candida overgrowth are ultimately probably going to help.
I am not a doctor and do not offer medical advice. Also, I did not say that if you drink kefir, you will be cured. I only made a hypothesis, which, if proved to be true, could be beneficial to many people.
Having said that, to the best of my knowledge, kefir can do no harm. Furthermore, a healthy gut is absolutely necessary for the elimination of heavy metals from the body. Without a healthy intestinal flora, the body cannot eliminate toxins or metals.
Also, I heard it said that kefir is needed in large quantities (1 lt/day) for therapeutic purposes.
Here is a link discussing the possible effects of aerobic bacteria on Mercury. (http://www.asknature.org/strategy/1ee340b8e77682d012ce1f61ab65df68)
Please use the information provided with caution and always consult your doctor/physician.
According to this study (http://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=rjes.2008.401.407), Acetobacter Xylinum can remove Mercury. As far as I know, Acetobacter strains are present in kefir. Acetobacter Xylinum in kombucha tea.
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Kefir can detoxify the body of heavy metals. 
