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We need small amounts of some metals for our bodies to function properly. For example, minerals like iron and zinc are essential to our health.
However, depending on the amount of metals in the body, these can become toxic. Not to mention, certain metals such as mercury or lead are highly poisonous.
Heavy metals typically enter the body through the skin, or they can be ingested and inhaled. When this happens, heavy metal toxicity can occur, and you might need to detox.
A heavy metal is something that has metallic elements that have a high density in comparison with water. They are found naturally in the environment.
As well as being found in the environment, they're also present in things we consume, such as certain foods, medicines, and supplements.
But these aren't the only sources. Chemicals used in industry and farming sometimes contain heavy metals that inevitably end up in our soil, air, and water.
Example of heavy metals include: arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, thallium, and zinc.
Signs include shortness of breath, tingling in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, and even more serious complications like heart arrhythmias and memory loss.
It can be hard to diagnose heavy metal toxicity, as it generally manifests in symptoms that are also common to other illnesses.
Other, more benign symptoms that could be mistaken for something else include nausea, gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Your healthcare provider will order a heavy metal toxicity test, using one or multiple methods, if they suspect heavy metal poisoning.
Urine, blood, and hair sample tests are used to measure the levels of heavy metals in the body. Sometimes metals can be present in high levels that aren't necessarily toxic.
If there are high levels of metals in your blood, but you aren't suffering from toxicity, you might be asked to reduce/limit your contact with heavy metals to help bring down your levels.
Conversely, if your test shows low levels but you are still suffering from symptoms, it's possible that the metals are being stored in your tissues. Blood tests don't always give the clearest picture.
Sometimes, it's asked that you don't consume fish or shellfish up to 48 hours before testing. This is because these foods often contain the metal mercury.
If you have a job that regularly exposes you to heavy metals, you might be tested as part of ongoing biomonitoring. Testing is usually only recommended if you've had known exposure to a toxic metal.
In order to reduce your potential exposure to heavy metals via food, there are choices you can make about what to consume. Rice, and in particular brown rice, has been shown to contain arsenic. Long-living fish are more likely to contain mercury. Non-organic foods (that have been exposed to pesticides) are more likely to contain a higher heavy metal load, while alcohol slows down the liver's ability to detox things from the body.
Sometimes chelation therapy is administered through a drip/IV (intravenous line). However, there are severe dangers associated with chelation therapy, so it's only for very serious cases.
Chelation therapy is one medically-administered way to detox from heavy metals. It involves taking medication or receiving an injection that helps remove the metals from the body.
It's not so common to be exposed to high levels of heavy metals, but the idea that chronic, low-grade exposure can lead to a build-up (that would benefit from a detox) has gained a following in wellness circles.
Sweating is one of the best, fool-proof ways to help the body detoxify. There is some research to suggest that exercise-induced sweating can help the body eliminate heavy metals.
If your home water supply is from a natural spring or you're worried about aging pipes in your residence, you can test the water in your home to check for heavy metal content.
Sources: (Health) (Healthline) (Medical News Today) (TODAY.com)
See also: What's so special about antioxidants?
Another way the body detoxes is via the kidneys. Although it's considered not to be as effective as excretion through sweating, staying well hydrated will help to flush toxins from the body in real time.
There are certain supplements—such as glutathione, ALA, or selenium—that are supposed to support the body's detox of heavy metals. But you shouldn't self-prescribe, always talk to a provider first.
If you're worried about your potential exposure to heavy metals in your household, one of the first places to begin is by replacing aluminum and non-stick pans with stainless steel, ceramic, glass, or cast iron alternatives.
There is some research to show that probiotics bind to heavy metals such as aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, and lead, assisting with their elimination via the bowels.
Fruits and vegetables that are antioxidant-rich, with a high vitamin C content, can help protect the organs from the damage caused by heavy metals.
Phytochemicals contained in some fruits and vegetables have beneficial effects against toxicity. Examples of these include garlic, ginger, green tea, grapes, tomatoes, and berries.
Atlantic dulse and spirulina are claimed to help alleviate toxicity. Cilantro (coriander) is one of the best plants for detoxifying, supporting the liver's removal of metals such as mercury and lead.
We don't expect our food, the water we drink, or the air we breathe to contain dangerous metals. However, the topic of heavy metal toxicity is getting more attention these days. While certain careers expose people to heavy metals on a larger scale, the average person is already exposed to heavy metals in the course of normal life. Some metals are needed in a small amount to mineralize the body, and that's not a problem. But when we have low-level, consistent exposure to dangerous metals, it's possible that they can build up in the body and cause toxicity symptoms.
Click on to discover what a heavy metal detox is, and decide if you need to make the food and lifestyle choices to support it.
What's a heavy metal detox, and do you need one?
Know the symptoms so you can decide
LIFESTYLE Metals
We don't expect our food, the water we drink, or the air we breathe to contain dangerous metals. However, the topic of heavy metal toxicity is getting more attention these days. While certain careers expose people to heavy metals on a larger scale, the average person is already exposed to heavy metals in the course of normal life. Some metals are needed in a small amount to mineralize the body, and that's not a problem. But when we have low-level, consistent exposure to dangerous metals, it's possible that they can build up in the body and cause toxicity symptoms.
Click on to discover what a heavy metal detox is, and decide if you need to make the food and lifestyle choices to support it.