Common Heavy Metals: Effects and Sources

It is believed by many integrative physicians that certain heavy metals have no safe level in the body and will damage the areas in which they accumulate. Unsafe metals include lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel and aluminum. While the American Dental Association disagrees, many integrative physicians and biological dentists belive that the bigget source of exposure is amalgam dental fillings (50% mercury).

Tissues often affected include nerve tissues, liver, kidneys, bones, blood cells, hormonal glands, fat tissue, sensory organs and the spleen.

Damage varies depending on the tissue, the type and amount of toxin, the body's ability/inability to detoxify, and the amount of "antagonistic mineral" present-if a tissue is mineral deficient it will substitute existing heavy metal for the mineral it cannot find (the antagonistic mineral), which usually results in damage or death of that tissue.

Mercury

Any amount of mercury exposure results in beginning degeneration of the brain (cognitive and memory impairment, irritability, insomnia), peripheral numbness and weakness, compromised vision and hearing, immune suppression, gastrointestinal dysfunction, birth defects, hypothyroidism, and asthma. Ultimately, the initial degeneration of nerve tissues can result in neurodegenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis. Most susceptible to mercury poisoning are people who are specifically allergic to mercury and as such cannot excrete the mercury toxin; rather, they accumulate it.

Sources of exposure: amalgam dental fillings (50% mercury) are the biggest offender. Other sources include vaccines, contaminated fish (especially tuna and swordfish), some laxatives, many inks for printers and tattoos, many types of cosmetics, solvents and drugs, and much of our public water supply.

Lead

The biggest health problems associated with lead are comprised bone growth, learning disabilities, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, hypertension, lowered immunity, tinnitus, poor concentration, headaches, constipation and muscle/joint pain.

Sources of exposure: cookware with ceramic glaze, canned foods, contaminated water and air and certain foods (e.g. liver).

Nickel

Nickel exposure is associated with fatigue and respiratory problems, heart conditions, headaches and skin problems.

Sources of exposure: jewelry that contains nickel, many utensils, cigarette smoke, hydrogenated fats, some fertilizers and many refined, processed foods.

Cadmium

Cadmium toxicity creates cognitive, liver, kidney, skin and joint disorders. Also associated with cadmium ingestion are fatigue, headaches, irritability, hypertension, prostate enlargement, increased cancer risk and lowered immunity.

Sources of exposure: cigarette and pipe smoke, instant coffee and tea, nickel/cadmium batteries, soft drinks, plastics, some pesticides and fungicidal, contaminated water.

Aluminum

There is a high correlation between aluminum exposure and Alzheimer's disease as well as osteoporosis, cognitive dysfunction, headaches, tinnitus, learning disabilities and gastrointestinal problems.

Sources of exposure: many medicines (antacids) aluminum coated cookware, aluminum foil, antiperspirants and deodorants and most baking powder.

Heavy metals are one of our biggest health challenges because they damage all tissues and systems of the body to at least some degree and are so prevalent in our environment. To maintain optimal health, we should always be removing and chelating heavy metals as well as consuming protective foods and lots of water. Intravenous chelation under doctor supervision (also see Chelation of Heavy Metals) is essential for anyone with high accumulation of heavy metals and it is also an excellent preventative measure.

To arrange for chelation of heavy metals, or to learn more about the health problems associated with heavy metals, contact Natural Horizons Wellness Centers at (877)-292-1571.