Symptoms and even chronic diseases related to heavy metal toxicity
(also called heavy metal poisoning) is now considered to be a
problem that millions of people deal with.
Exposure to toxic heavy metals is believed to be a contributing
factor, if not a root cause, of symptoms like low energy, mood
disturbances and cognitive changes. Heavy metals first enter your
bloodstream from exposure to farmed fish, contaminated water, dental
fillings and household products. These metals then travel throughout
your body and penetrate the cells of various tissues and organs,
where they can remain stored up for years!
How do you treat heavy metal toxicity? Following a heavy metal detox
plan is one of the best ways to start reversing symptoms. One thing
to be aware of, however, is that while you work on overcoming metal
poisoning, you might actually notice some symptoms getting worse
before they get better. Potential heavy metal detox symptoms can
include fatigue, loss of appetite and digestive issues.
What foods can help remove heavy metals from the body? As you’ll
learn more about below, foods to include in a heavy metal detox
include leafy green veggies, other non-starchy veggies, herbs,
spices, algae and other superfoods, and bone broth.
Chelation And Heavy Metal Detoxification
Detoxifying treatments and certain supplements can also be
incorporated into a natural heavy metal diet plan to help support
your brain, nervous system, liver and other vital organs. Ready to
start cleansing heavy metals and other chemicals from you body? If
so, follow the detox diet and treatment plan described below to help
rid your body of toxins.
Dangers of Heavy Metals (aka Heavy Metal Poisoning)
What exactly are “heavy metals”? Heavy metals are elements that can
be toxic and very dangerous even in low concentrations. Heavy metals
that can lead to toxicity (or “poisoning”) include:
Mercury
Lead
Arsenic
Cadmium
Aluminum
Nickel
Uranium
Thallium
Other definitions include manganese, iron, lithium, zinc and calcium
(yes, under certain conditions very high levels of even essential
minerals can become dangerous)
Heavy metal poisoning describes a number of health problems caused
by exposure to environmental metals that accumulate inside the body.
According to a report in Scientific World Journal, “Toxic metals
such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are ubiquitous, have no
beneficial role in human homeostasis, and contribute to
noncommunicable chronic disease.”
Researchers have identified that significant exposure to at least 23
different environmental metals (called “heavy metals”) can
contribute to acute or chronic toxicity. These metals are described
as being heavy because they stick around in the body, especially
hiding out in adipose tissue (fat cells). They are difficult to get
rid of, making them similar to fat-soluble toxins. Body fat tries to
protect the organs by trapping certain substances inside, including
some metals, which causes them to linger. This is one reason weight
loss can sometimes result in heavy metal detoxing, as fat cells
shrink and release dormant toxins.
There is virtually no way to entirely avoid heavy metal exposure,
considering metals are natural elements found all over the world in
the food supply, water and ground. Environmental metals are
problematic because over time, they can accumulate within bodily
tissues, often without the person who is affected even realizing
this is happening. Heavy metal toxicity can result in damaged or
reduced mental and central nervous function, plus damage to the
vital organs such as the liver, heart, endocrine glands and kidneys.
Removing Heavy Metals
Long-term exposure to heavy metals may lead to physical, muscular,
and neurological degenerative processes. When they become severe,
heavy metal poisoning symptoms can even mimic symptoms associated
with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple
sclerosis. Because heavy metal poisoning symptoms mimic those
related to aging (such as loss of memory and increased fatigue),
many people blame getting older as the cause of their emerging
symptoms, not realizing that heavy metal exposure is a major
contributing factor.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Heavy Metal Poisoning?
Some of the most common warning signs that you might be struggling
with heavy metal toxicity include:
Chronic fatigue
Autoimmune diseases, including Lyme’s disease
Poor recovery from exercise and weakness
Skin irritation
Neurological disorders
Brain-fog, trouble concentrating, difficulty learning and poor
memory
Depression, manic depression and/or anxiety
Dementia
Insomnia
Digestive issues, such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
Chronic aches and pains, such as those associated with fibromyalgia
Tremors
Impaired motor control, hearing, speech, vision and gait
Anemia
Higher risk for heart attacks
Where Do Heavy Metals Come From?
Mercury poisoning is one of the most common types of heavy metal
poisoning. Almost every single person in the world has at least
trace amounts of mercury in his or her body. Why? Some of the
factors that can cause mercury poisoning (and other types of heavy
metal toxicity) include:
Exposure to environmental pollutants, such as traffic fumes, air
pollution, food contaminants, cigarette smoke or radiation.
Having metal amalgam dental fillings (silver fillings slowly release
mercury into the body).
Eating a poor-quality diet (for example, eating farm-raised fish
that carry high levels of mercury). According to the Environmental
Protection Agency, the most common way we’re exposed to mercury in
the U.S. is by consuming fish you shouldn’t eat that contains
health-hazardous heavy metals, such as tilefish, swordfish, shark,
king mackerel and bigeye tuna. A diet that includes processed foods,
especially those that are imported from foreign countries and not
organically grown (and even plant foods grown in soil that has high
levels of metals) can also be a contributing factor.
Drinking water that is contaminated with trace amounts of metals
(such as aluminum).
From birth (heavy metals can be passed down in utero from mother to
her offspring).
Exposure or use of household substances that carry mercury, such as
adhesives, air condition filters, cosmetics, fabric softeners, felt,
floor waxes and polishes, and talcum powder.
Getting tattoos.
Exposure to substances that carry lead, such as some chocolates,
canned foods, toothpastes, old paints, insecticides, ceramic and
some pottery, and soldered pipes.
Use or exposure to other household items, such as antiperspirants,
baking powder, certain baby formulas, plastic toys, antacids,
aluminum foil, certain metal pots and pans, stainless steel cutlery,
coins, and some makeup.
Possibly receiving certain vaccinations.
In high amounts, mercury is one of the deadliest metals there is.
Certain studies have found that when nerves are exposed to mercury,
the myelin sheath (the fatty substance that surrounds the axon of
some nerve cells and helps with electrical signaling) can become
severely damaged, interfering with how nerves communicate.
What are some warning signs and side effects associated with mercury
poisoning? These include: changes to the central nervous system,
irritability, fatigue, behavioral changes, tremors, headaches,
problems hearing, skin damage and cognitive loss.
Can you die from heavy metal poisoning? While it’s rare, it’s
possible in some severe cases, metal poisoning has lead to
hallucinations and death.
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