HEAVY METAL DETOX: CHALLENGES
A “heavy metal” is any metallic element that has a relatively high density and is toxic or poisonous at low concentrations. Some examples are mercury, aluminum, copper, cadmium, nickel, arsenic and lead. They occur naturally in the Earth’s crust and cannot be degraded or destroyed. Trace amounts of heavy metals enter our bodies through food, drinking water and air. Some trace level heavy metals such as copper, selenium and zinc are actually essential in maintaining our metabolism.
Why are heavy metals dangerous to us?
Heavy metals tend to bioaccumulate, that is, they build up over time, becoming more concentrated in amounts that will poison our body. Compounds accumulate in our bodies when they are taken in and stored faster than they are broken down or metabolized or excreted. Because toxic metals look similar to essential minerals, sometimes our body can make a mistake and take in a heavy metal. That will disrupt our energy production, deplete our nutrients, inhibit our enzyme systems and accumulate in our tissues, leading to organ and connective tissue damage. Over time toxic heavy metals can oxidize, causing damage to surrounding tissue and promoting inflammation. They can poison our bodies and create damage to every system and organ, including the brain, liver and our digestive system. Because the immune system has a hard time keeping up with such a toxic load, our immune system becomes vulnerable to dis-ease. Heavy metals are a form of neurotoxin which disrupts nerve function (think central nervous system…) and confuses your immune system.
How do heavy metals get into our bodies?
Everyday pathways that heavy metals can enter our bodies are cosmetics, anti-perspirant deodorants, old paint, tobacco, medications, aluminum cookware, drinking water, lead water pipes, air pollution, batteries, amalgam fillings, seafood, fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Toxic heavy metals are virtually everywhere, even in acidic rain!
Why doesn’t our body just get rid of them?
The kidney and liver are the organs that filter out toxins such as heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, ammonia and chemicals from your blood and put them into the upper gastro-intestinal tract as part of a bile mixture for digestion. This reintroduces the toxins to your digestive system where they can be quickly reabsorbed through intestinal walls.
If you are eating a whole-food diet at the same time your liver is dropping toxins into your GI tract, then food fibres will tend to capture those toxins and trap them, ultimately transporting them out of your body through bowel movements.
Kidneys also remove many toxins and flush them out of your body through urine. This is why kidney function is so crucial to your health. The heavy metals cadmium and mercury cause severe kidney damage.
If your kidneys and/or liver are not functioning optimally, and if you are not eating enough fibre, those toxins will get re-absorbed back through your intestinal walls and into your blood where they can cause acute toxicity and poisoning.
What is heavy metal poisoning?
Our environment exposes us every day to heavy metals, although usually in small amounts. Heavy metal poisoning occurs when various heavy metals accumulate in your body. High concentrations of bio-accumulated heavy metals can be fatal!
What are some symptoms of heavy metal poisoning?
· Anemia
· Behavioural disorders
· Cancer
· Childhood learning disabilities
· Constipation
· Depression
· Dementia
· Diarrhea
· Fatigue
· Headaches
· High blood pressure
· Hyperactivity
· Immune dysfunction
· Irritability
· Memory loss
· Muscle weakness & pain
· Nausea
· Nervous system disorders
· Paralysis
· Skin rashes
· Sleep disorders
· Tremors
· Vertigo
· Vision, hearing and smell disorders
How can I detoxify my body from heavy metals?
Many suggestions exist online and in health food stores that promise to detox heavy metals from your body effortlessly and quickly and you may have even tried some of them like the celery juice fast or intermittent fasting or powders or expensive drinks. The question is… what is the evidence that you have actually been detoxed or that the heavy metals have been neutralized?
Do you know what pace is right for you so that you don’t get very sick in the process?
It is good to consult a health professional who is familiar with safe detoxing protocols and who can provide you with a personalized program which would include: chelation (elements that selectively bind with certain metals, leading to their removal from the body); rebuilding depleted nutrient levels; repairing damaged tissues; strengthening your body so it can once again effectively excrete heavy metals; and preventing reabsorption.
At Homeopathic Family Practice, we have two excellent treatments to facilitate the elimination of toxic heavy metals: Bio-Electric Lymphatic Drainage and Ionic Footbath. You can read about them on our website.
Do extreme detox symptoms mean I am overdoing it?
In a word, yes! This is why you would consult a professional. The products you take, the pace you set, the food you eat, the rest you get, the liquids you drink, all affect outcomes. You can suffer from cramping, fever, poisoning, diarrhea, headaches, rashes, nutrient loss, extreme dehydration and other serious symptoms if you do not follow a detox program appropriate for you.
What foods support and even catalyze my body to cleanse and eliminate toxins?
HEALTHY VEGETABLES low in calories, high in vitamins, minerals and fibre and anti- inflammatory:
Spinach: Vitamin K, A, Lutein, antioxidants
Carrots: Vitamin A, C, K, Potassium
Broccoli: Vitamin K, C, Folate, Manganese, Potassium, Sulfur, antioxidants
Garlic: Vitamin B1, B6, C, Manganese, Selenium, Fibre, Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Phosphorus, Copper
Brussel Sprouts: Vitamin A, C, K, Folate, Manganese, Potassium, antioxidants
Kale: Vitamin A, B, C, K, Potassium, Calcium, Copper, antioxidants
Green Peas: Vitamin A, C, K, Riboflavin, Thiamin, Niacin, Folate, fibre, protein
Swiss Chard: Vitamin A, C, K, Manganese, Magnesium, fibre, protein, antioxidants
Ginger: anti-inflammatory
Asparagus: Vitamin K, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Folate, Selenium
Red Cabbage: Vitamin C, fibre, anthocyanins, anti-inflammatory
Sweet Potatoes/Yams: Vitamin B6, C, Beta-carotene, Potassium, Manganese, fibre, protein
Collard Greens: Calcium, fibre, protein
Red Kohlrabi: Vitamin C, fibre, antioxidants
HEALTHY FRUITS:
Grapefruit: Vitamin A, 1, B5, C, Potassium, Biotin, antioxidants
Pineapple: Vitamin C, Manganese, Bromelain
Avocado: Potassium, fibre, oleic acid, magnesium
Blueberries: Vitamin C, K, Manganese, fibre, antioxidants
Apples: Vitamin B, C, K, Potassium, fibre
Pomegranate: Vitamin C, K, Folate, Potassium, antioxidants
Mango: Vitamin A, B5, C, K, Folate, Thiamine, Copper, Manganese, Magnesium, fibre
Strawberries: Vitamin C, Folate, Manganese, Potassium
Cranberries: Vitamin C, E, K1, Manganese, Copper, antioxidants
Lemons: Vitamin A, B5, B6, C, E, K, Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Potassium, Manganese, Magnesium
Watermelon: Vitamin A, C, antioxidants, lycopene, carotenoids
Blackberries: Vitamin C, K, Manganese, fibre, antioxidants
Olives: Vitamin E, Iron, Copper, Calcium, antioxidants, oleic acid
Oranges: Vitamin C, Thiamine, Folate, Potassium, antioxidants
Bananas: Vitamin B6, C, Potassium, Magnesium, fibre
Red and Purple Grapes: Vitamin B1, B6, C, K, Potassium, Phosphorus, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory
Papaya: Vitamin A, C, Folate, Potassium, papain, lycopene, antioxidants
Cherries: Vitamin C, Potassium, fibre, melatonin, antioxidants
What should I be mindful of when detoxifying?
1. Limit alcohol intake-it taxes your liver
2. Get quality sleep each night to help your body recharge.
3. Drink more water to regulate body temperature, lubricate joints, help digestion and nutrient absorption and aid detoxification
4. Reduce intake of sugar and processed foods which can cause harm to organs used to detoxify
5. Eat antioxidant-rich foods (Vitamins A, C, E, Selenium, Lycopene, Lutein, Zeaxanthin)
6. Eat foods high in Probiotics to balance your gut bacteria (tomatoes, artichokes, bananas, asparagus, onions, garlic, oats)
7. Decrease intake of salt because it promotes fluid retention and decreases elimination of toxins
8. Stay active to keep your body’s systems strong and running smoothly
Is there a test for heavy metals?
Homeopathic Family Practice offers a Hair Analysis test which specifies which heavy metals are present. - you can order this test at our clinic upon an appointment. Please call us at 416-924-8887.
Alternatively, or as well, you can ask for blood tests for specific heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium.
Happy Detoxing!
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