NATURAL CURES...HEAVY METAL POISONING

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Heavy Metal Poisoning

 

Definition

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 level in the body, and their presence in the body is

not normal.

 

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.

 

Symptoms and Types

Symptoms of heavy metal poisoning can vary greatly, and depending 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.

 

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:

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Causes and Types

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:

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Mercury: Possible contamination from mercury-based dental amalgam

fillings, laxatives that contain calomel, some hemorrhoid

suppositories, inks used by some printers and tattooists, 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.

 

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 holistic practitioner with experience in

screening for these poisons and then work with him or her to

effectively detoxify your body.

 

 

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Natural Cures

 

Detoxification: To support your body's organs and encourage heavy

metal elimination, it is recommended that you do internal cleansing.

Colon Cleanse and Liver Cleanse are especially effective.

 

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 mercury.

 

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.

 

Nutritional Supplementation: The following supplements help 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.

 

Alternative Professional Care

If your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of

a qualified health professional. The following professional care

therapies have all been shown to be useful for treating heavy metal

poisoning: Chelation Therapy, Holistic Dentistry (for removing

harmful dental amalgams), Homeopathy (a skilled homeopath can create

specific remedies that can neutralize harmful metals, including from

vaccinations), Naturopathic Medicine, Orthomolecular Medicine, Oxygen

Therapy (ozone therapy in conjunction with Chelation Therapy), and

Traditional .