Heavy Metals That Adversely Affect Your Health

Heavy metals That May Impact Your Health

What are these toxic heavy metals? They are very long lasting toxic elements that can get into your bones and other tissues of your body, unable to be eliminated naturally.

Some individuals may be more susceptible to toxic effects of a heavy metal or other chemicals than others. The most commonly found toxic heavy metals found in the body include lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.

These metals can accumulate through various pathways, including ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption. Once inside the body, they tend to bind to proteins and other tissues like bone and fat tissue, leading to long-term retention. The accumulation process is often slow, and symptoms may not manifest until significant damage has occurred, making awareness and preventive measures all the more necessary.

Lead can result in developmental delays in children, cardiovascular problems in adults, and reproductive issues.

Mercury is particularly harmful to the nervous system, potentially leading to cognitive dysfunction.

Cadmium has been linked to lung and kidney damage.

Arsenic exposure is associated with an increased risk of skin, bladder, and lung cancers.

Lets first talk about lead. Did you know that the body absorbs lead through the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system? Unlike many other substances, lead does not readily exit the body. Instead, it tends to accumulate in various tissues, including bones, teeth, and organs. This accumulation can last for years, depending on the level of exposure and individual metabolism.

Lead is stored for extended periods of time in the bones, which serve as a reservoir. The lead half life in the bone can be up to 35 years! In children lead can manifest at relatively low levels.

Sources of lead range from toys, ceramics, jewelry, cigarette smoke to old paint, plumbing, and contaminated soil.

Okay, now for the really bad news: lead can cause, in order of concentration, reduced blood hemoglobin synthesis, headache, decreased nerve conduction velocity, metallic taste, loss of appetite, constipation, colic, frank anemia, tremors, nephrotoxic effects with impaired kidney excretion of uric acid, neuropathy, encephalopathy (altered brain structure and function), impaired vitamin D metabolism, and initial effects on erythrocyte and erythroid precursor cell enzymology.

Besides Lead, the heavy metals that are common are mercury, cadmium and arsenic.

 Most fish have levels of mercury from environmental contaminants.  Generally speaking, the bigger the fish is, the higher it’s Mercury content will be, due to it being at the end of the food chain.  Smaller fish, low on the food chain, are low in Mercury and other heavy metals.  Sardines, Anchovies, Herring, Flounder, Haddock (Atlantic), Mackerel (N. Atlantic), are examples of fish low in Mercury.  Some examples of larger fish high in Mercury are: Tuna, Bluefish, King Mackerel, Marlin, Orange Roughy, Shark, and Swordfish.

Cadmium is also found, along with lead in cigarette smoke, cadmium is also found in cereals, leafy vegetables, potatoes, nuts, and shellfish, and in batteries and some agricultural products.

Arsenic is often detected in drinking water, especially in areas with contaminated groundwater, rice, seafood, and root vegetables. More recently, the national news talked about Arsenic in candy, especially in tootsie rolls. (see reference)

Toxic Heavy metals are particularly harmful to the nervous system which can lead to cognitive disfunction.

Symptoms of these heavy metals vary but can include: fatigue, digestive issues, neurological problems, and, in severe cases, organ damage.

How to Eliminate Heavy Metals Through Supplements:

Glutathione is the first and best supplement to detoxify heavy metals. Glutathione, along with MSM , provides primary sulfur sources that your body can produce. Sulfur is crucial for several proteins and numerous enzymes that require intact sulfur groups. Glutathione usually comes in 50 mg capsules. Starting with 50 mg three times a day on an empty stomach is advisable.

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) contains bioavailable sulfur. It can provide sulfur to cysteine and methionine.

B6 – pyridoxine – is another important supplement. It converts methionine to cysteine and then to glutathione. A suggested dosage is 50 mg B6 with your breakfast meal. The co-enzyme form of B Vitamins is best utilized by the body.

An Amino Acid Complex can help prevent the depletion of several amino acids. Take it one hour before meals or at bedtime.

NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) can help your body produce large amounts of cysteine and glutathione. Its use is optional but may provide benefits.

Zinc is essential for many body functions. It stimulates the production of metallothionein, which detoxifies heavy metal effects. Various zinc tablets are available, but the best form for absorption is one attached to an amino acid chelate. (see our blog on Zinc).

Vitamin C is also vital for detoxifying mercury and other toxins. Start with 500 mg once a day and gradually increase to 2000 mg or more a day. If you experience diarrhea from excess intake, take 3/4ths the amount in divided doses the next day.

Selenium is an essential trace element and a component of glutathione peroxidase. It also helps produce thy thyroid hormone T3. Start with 50 micrograms three times a day. Selenium should not be taken with Vitamin C; maintain a 2-3 hour gap to avoid reducing its bioavailability.

ALA (alpha lipoic acid) has heavy metal chelating properties and significantly increases reduced glutathione. It may also be effective in treating various neurodegenerative disorders. A daily dose of 100 mg is recommended.

Also you can take Molybdenum that increases urinary excretion of mercury.

Foods that help eliminate Heavy Metals

Garlic- contains a high level of sulfur and some contain selenium.

Bromelain from pineapple. Take between meals with a full glass of water.

High-fiber diet and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale) that are known to help detoxify heavy metals.

Drink plenty of water – routine intake of 6-8 glasses of non-fluoridated water daily helps eliminate toxins.

In general, reduce the dietary intake of refined carbohydrates, sugars, and saturated fats to promote better health.

As long as the gut micro flora is functioning properly, the body can eliminate heavy metals. 

At Home Tests For Heavy Metals

The best test to determine long term exposure to lead and other toxic heavy metals in your body is through a hair test, which is much more practical than an invasive bone biopsy. However blood testing is only accurate for a very recent exposure

Stool can be tested as an alternative to hair testing for heavy metals in your body with a Doctor’s Data Stool Test.

If a chelating agent is available, the best test for toxic heavy metals in you body is a Doctor’s Data Urine Toxic Test.

In summary, the increasing rates of cancer, vascular disease, dementia, and other diseases are directly related to the increase of toxic metals and other chemicals in our environment. Over time chronic, even low-grade, environmental exposures raise the body burden. The public health burden due to toxic metals is an acquired and reversible health risk for at least 80 million Americans.

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References

• Exposing Candy Toxins; Healthy Florida First
• Learn about Lead, EPA
• The Effects of Cadmium Toxicity, NIH