Heavy
Metal Poisoning
Heavy
metal poisoning is caused by metals that accumulate
within the body's fat cells, central nervous system,
bones, brain, glands, and/or hair to produce negative
health effects. Such metals are unsafe at any leveling
the body, and their presence in the body is not normal.
Symptoms
of heavy metal poisoning can vary greatly, and depend
on the type of metal toxicity, the age of the affected
person (children are more susceptible to heavy metal
poisoning), the length of the exposure, and the presence
or absence of protective minerals and other nutrients
that inhibit the absorption, binding, and effects of
the toxic metals. For example, calcium deficiency exacerbates
lead toxicity, while normal levels of calcium in the
body help to protect against lead toxicity.
The
most common heavy metal poisons are lead, cadmium, mercury,
and nickel. Aluminum, while not a heavy metal, can also
cause toxicity and poor health. They are by no means
the only toxic metals that can cause poor health.
One common side effect of these metals is a metallic
taste in the mouth.
What follows are other common side
effects for each of these toxic metals:
-
Lead
Lead toxicity can cause poor bone growth and development,
learning disabilities, fatigue, poor task performance,
irritability, anxiety, high blood pressure, weight loss,
increased susceptibility to infection, ringing in the
ears, decreased cognitive functioning and concentration
and spelling skills, headaches, gastrointestinal problems,
constipation, muscle and joint pain, tremors, and overall
general decreased immune functioning.
-
Cadmium
Cadmium toxicity can cause fatigue, irritability, headaches,
high blood pressure, enlargement of the prostate gland,
increased risk for cancer, hair loss, learning disabilities,
kidney and liver disorders, skin disorders, painful
joints, and decreased immune functioning.
-
Mercury
Mercury toxicity can cause cognitive and memory problems,
irritability, fatigue, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorders,
decreased immune response, irrational behavior, numbness,
tingling, muscular weakness, impaired vision and hearing,
allergic conditions, asthma, and multiple sclerosis.
-
Nickel
Nickel toxicity may be associated with fatigue, respiratory
illnesses, heart conditions, skin rashes, psoriasis,
fatigue, and headaches.
-
Aluminum
Aluminum toxicity may be associated with headaches,
cognitive problems, learning disabilities, poor bone
density (osteoporosis), ringing in the ears, gastrointestinal
disorders, colic, hyperactivity in children, and ataxia
(an abnormal walking pattern). Its possible role in
poor memory or Alzheimer's disease is speculative at
this time but also worth noting.
What To Consider
Exposure
to toxic metals is quite common, given the degree of
environmental toxins that now affect our planet. What
follows are some of the most likely sources of exposure
for each of the most common toxic metals. Possible routes
of exposure to and contamination from the above metals:
-
Lead
Cigarette smoke, eating paint that is lead-based (in
children, especially in poor housing or older housing),
eating and cooking foods in ceramic glazes that are
lead-based, leaded gasoline, eating liver that may be
contaminated with lead, living in the inner city that
may have elevated lead air levels, contaminated water,
canned foods (especially fruit in which the lead-soldered
cans may leach into the food), certain bone meal supplements,
and insecticides. -
Cadmium
Possible contamination from cigarette and pipe smoke,
instant coffee and tea, nickel-cadmium batteries, contaminated
water, some soft drinks, refined grains, fungicides,
pesticides, and some plastics. -
Mercury
Possible contamination from mercury-based dental amalgam
fillings, laxatives that contain calomel, some hemorrhoidal
suppositories, inks used by some printers and tattooers,
some paints, some cosmetics, and many products that
may contain small amounts of mercury such as fabric
softeners, wood preservatives, solvents, drugs, and
some plastics and contaminated fish.
-
Nickel
Many pieces of jewelry contain nickel and wearing them
next to skin creates some absorption. Some metal cooking
utensils have nickel added to them, even stainless steel,
which is mostly a problem when cooking acidic foods.
Cigarette smoke, hydrogenated fats (as nickel is the
catalyst for the reaction to create them), some refined
foods, and fertilizers contain nickel.
-
Aluminum
Aluminum-containing antacids, many over-the-counter
drugs and douches that contain aluminum, aluminum cookware
and aluminum foil (especially when preparing and storing
acidic foods), antiperspirants, most commercial baking
powders, and contaminated water.
Note
Vaccinations and common dental amalgam fillings are
two primary causes of heavy metal poisoning from mercury,
as mercury is contained in many vaccines and well as
in silver amalgams.
Caution
Heavy metal poisoning is a serious health
problem and should not be ignored. To determine whether
you are affected by this problem, consult with a physician
with experience in screening for these poisons and then
work with him or her to effectively detoxify your body.
Self-Care Tips
Diet
Eat an organic, whole foods diet that emphasizes fresh
fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts, garlic, onions,
beans, seeds, whole grains (other than wheat), and lots
of filtered water. Fermented foods such as plain organic
yogurt and kefir are also helpful. Avoid seafood, as
fish are increasingly becoming a source for heavy metal
poisoning, especially from mercury.
Nutritional
Supplementation
The following supplements healp protect against each
of the following metals: - Lead:
Calcium, vitamin
C, amino acids (L-lysine, L-cysteine, and L-cystine),
iron, zinc - Cadmium:
Zinc, vitamin C, amino acids
(L-methionine, L-cysteine, and L-lysine) - Mercury:
Selenium, vitamin C, amino acids (L-glutathione, L-methionine,
L-cysteine, and L-cystine) - Nickel:
Iron, zinc,
vitamin C. - Aluminum: Calcium, magnesium, vitamin
B complex, vitamin C.
In
addition to the above, folic acid, garlic capsules,
oral EDTA, DMSA, DMSO, liver glandulars, and a multivitamin/mineral
supplement are recommended. Chlorella and green drink
supplements also aid in absorbing and eliminating toxins.
Herbs
Milk thistle is an excellent herb to use for supporting
the liver during detoxification.
Juice
Therapy
To support the three main organs involved in detoxification—your
liver, kidneys, and skin—drink a juice made of carrot,
celery, burdock, beet, garlic, and flaxseed or currant
oils twice a day (morning and evening).
Lifestyle
Saunas, particularly far-infrared saunas which penetrate
up the three inches of the skin and cause fat cells
to release stored toxins, are an extremely effective
aid in the detoxification process.
Caution
If your symptoms persist despite the above measures,
seek the help of a qualified health professional.
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