Do you have Heavy Metal Toxicity? One major stressor on the body can be heavy metals. In our modern world, our environment, food, and water regularly expose us to these toxic metals which, over time, accumulate in our bodies and negatively impact normal cellular function. Heavy metal toxicity is an accumulation of heavy metals in the body that can contribute to chronic degenerative conditions, including cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinsonism, dementia, multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis. Heavy metals can also cause vague symptoms such as chronic pain, chronic fatigue, brain fog, depression, headaches, dizziness, and neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning or paralysis. Many people don’t think of this toxicity, so it often goes undetected or misdiagnosed. Heavy metals have an affinity for the nervous system, therefore can cause many neurological dysfunctions. The kidneys work to detoxify heavy metals, which leaves the kidneys more susceptible to toxic metal-induced damage. Heavy metals cause inflammation in the body, which over time damages tissues. Heavy metals cause immune dysfunction which can lead to chronic infections and autoimmune diseases. Heavy metals are hormone disruptors which can contribute to hormonal imbalances, fertility issues and hypothyroidism. Heavy metals can displace essential minerals which can contribute to the development of osteoporosis. Heavy metals have a symbiotic relationship with candida. Heavy metals bind to candida as a protective mechanism to bring heavy metals out of circulation. Therefore if you are struggling with fungal overgrowths, the root cause may be heavy metal toxicity.
How am I getting exposed to heavy metals? When plants are grown in nutrient depleted soils, which most of our soils are now, they actually absorb toxic metals more easily, therefore we are taking heavy metals in through our food. We are exposed to mercury through silver amalgam
fillings that contain 30-50% mercury that slowly leaches into our bloodstream, fish, vaccinations, high fructose corn syrup and tattoos. We are exposed to lead in paints and cosmetics. Arsenic is in by-products of coal burning, insecticides, fungicides, drinking water, seafood, and pressure treated wood. Cadmium is in cigarette smoke and hair dyes. Aluminum is in antacids, antiperspirant, vaccines, baking powder, aluminum cookware and cans and cosmetics.
How do I test for heavy metals? The most accurate way to check for heavy metal toxicity is with a provoked urine analysis, whereby you are given a chelating agent either orally or intravenously. Chelating agents selectively bind with heavy metals in the tissues and brings these metals into circulation, then the kidneys filter these substances and moves the metals out of the body through the urine. You then collect your urine for a certain time frame after being given the chelating agent. The urine is sent away to a specialized lab that have sophisticated tools that will analysis the urine for metals. The analysis is put into a report for the doctor and patient.
How do I remove the heavy metals? Depending on the results of the provoked urine analysis, the amount of metals detected, which metals were high and how well the kidneys were functioning, a practitioner, that is properly trained in chelation therapy, will design a program for that individual, as certain chelating agents have better affinity for certain metals than others. There are risks involved with chelation. If you mobilize heavy metals too rapidly and the heavy metals are not able to move out of the body quickly enough, you can make patients worse. As you mobilize heavy metals, you also mobilize minerals, therefore you always need to be replenishing minerals on a chelation program. Chelating is challenging on the kidneys, as most of the metals move out of through the kidneys, therefore it is important to always support and protect the kidneys through any chelation program. I recommend that you work with a practitioner that is licensed and properly trained to administer chelation therapy safely and effectively.