The heavy metal toxicity topic is super important to me because I myself had very high levels of toxic metals in my body and underwent therapies to aid in detoxification. I had hit a wall in my healing journey and was wondering why I kept struggling with muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in my extremities, and fatigue.
What Is Heavy Metal Toxicity?
Heavy metal toxicity is where metals build up in your body’s tissues, leading to a wide array of possible health issues. We do have natural detoxification systems, such as our sweat glands, liver, and kidneys. These are all supposed to aid in removing things like metals from our bodies daily. However, in today’s world, our environment is so laden with chemicals and metals that our bodies cannot keep up
Heavy Metal Hiding Places
These metals are hiding in:
- cigarette smoke
- our water supply
- old drinking water supply pipes
- seafood
- makeup (such as lipstick, eyeshadow, eyeliner, and blush)
- body and beauty products (such as deodorant and nail polish)
- toys
- batteries
- gasoline
- industrial emissions (such as coal-burning)
- car exhaust
- dental fillings
- Cookware like pots and pan
- Kitchen dishes like coffee mugs and plates.
What Do These Metals Do To Your Body?
When these metals build up in your body’s tissues, they start to damage the brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, and other organs.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- digestive issues
- chronic fatigue
- mood disorders (such as anxiety and depression because the metals start affecting neurotransmitters)
- tingling sensations in the hands, feet, and/or face.
- joint and muscle pain
- Insomnia
- Rashes/hives
- Poor kidney function
- Tremors
- Headaches
Long-term Heavy Metal Exposure
Long-term exposure can imitate progressive degenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Muscular Dystrophy, and Alzheimer’s. The development of autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s (something that I have), have been linked to heavy metals. Metals can also feed Candida and SIBO in the gut, therefore exacerbating digestive issues.
Mercury and Other Metals
The metal mercury specifically is extremely toxic and bioaccumulative. Mercury can affect various organs, but it is especially vicious towards the brain and nervous system.
If you have silver dental fillings, which are made of mercury, I highly recommend seeing a biological dentist who specializes in the removal and replacement of the fillings, and detoxification of the metals. When choosing which fish to consume, it is important to consider mercury amounts in the fish. The fish with the highest levels of mercury, according to the EPA guidelines, are Bigeye Tuna, King Mackerel, Marlin, Orange Roughy, Shark, Swordfish, and Tilefish. Some of the best choices of fish to consume that are lowest in mercury include scallops, shrimp, salmon, sardines, oysters, anchovies, and cod, but you can look up the full list on the EPA website.
Lead, cadmium, and arsenic are other commonly used metals to be concerned about.
How to Know If You Have Heavy Metal Toxicity
The only way to truly know if you should be concerned about high heavy metal levels in your body is to do a test. You can get a blood test done. However, this will only show you the circulating levels of metals in your blood. Metals settle deep down into your tissues, so it is better to either do a hair tissue mineral analysis test (HTMA) or a urination test. The urination tests are more beneficial when you are able to get a physician to order you a prescription pill to take before the test that will help draw metals out of your tissues and deposit them in your urine sample. I can run a hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) on my clients. If you’re looking to get to the root cause of your health issues and suspect heavy metal toxicity, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Food and Lifestyle Modifications
The more gentle and natural route would be to eat foods and make lifestyle modifications that would aid in the detoxification process.
- Sulfur-rich foods like garlic and cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables being broccoli, bok choy, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts. Broccoli sprouts are within this family, but are even more powerful than their adult counterparts and have a greater effect on increasing glutathione production, the body’s major antioxidant, and aids in detoxification.
- Cilantro, along with other herbs, has been thought to aid in the detoxification of heavy metals.
- Brazil nuts and other foods containing Selenium are also beneficial.
- Consuming high dose vitamin C (a few grams per day) will help reduce free radicals during this process.
- Supporting the liver with certain supplements, such as Milk Thistle, B Vitamins, and N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC).
- Taking binders like charcoal or clay will help grab onto the metals in order to assist in exiting the body. However, you must have regular, daily bowel movements in order to excrete the toxins.
- Sweating is also very important in the detoxification of heavy metals. Breaking a heavy sweat during exercise or sitting in a sauna for a minimum of 20 minutes daily can help remove aluminum, cadmium, cobalt, and lead from your body. Click here to read more about sauna benefits and usage.
- Consuming enough filtered water daily (take your body weight in pounds, divide by 2 and drink that number in ounces)
- Getting 7-9 hours of sleep, and avoiding alcohol consumption.
Chelation Therapy With A Doctor
This involves putting a chemical (EDTA or DMPS) into the bloodstream to bind with heavy metals, which then move through the kidneys and are excreted in your urine. This is a more serious and potentially dangerous route to go and must be done by a professional.
My Journey With Heavy Metal Toxicity
I did chelation therapy for a year where I completed 30 treatments (although the time frame and a number of treatments look different for everyone). During this time I also followed a natural protocol alongside the chelation therapy, where I did all of the things I discussed here, from frequent sauna use to consuming broccoli sprouts. I was able to bring my heavy metal load down drastically, especially Mercury and Lead. I went from barely able to walk up a set upstairs because of fatigue and muscle weakness, to getting back to my regular weight lifting and exercise routines, plus having my energy back.
If you are concerned about potential heavy metal toxicity, schedule a free health assessment call with me today to see if I can help!
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