Toxic metals are compounds that are inherently indestructible. They can accumulate undetected in the body over time, and as levels increase, a point is reached where toxic effects become evident.
How do I know if I have been exposed?
- Red blood cell toxic elemental analysis as discussed on TV segment. Follow labwork link below for more info.
- Provocation challenge and urine analysis.
What can I do about heavy metal toxicity?
- Avoid exposure. This can be hard. Refer to the table showing common sources of toxic metals
- Reduce intestinal absorption: Increase dietary fiber with beans, cooked vegetables, whole grains, fresh fruits especially apples. Pure chlorella.
- Increase elimination by using natural chelating elements such as methionine, Vitamin C, and alpha lipoic acid. Consider prescription chelation therapy under a trained doctor’s guidance using DMSA or other chelating agents.
- Add competing nutrient elements.
Toxic Metal Exposure Symptoms
Metal | Symptoms of Toxicity | Protective Effect | Method |
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Aluminum | Abnormal speech, myoclonic jerks, osteomalacia, progressive encephalophathy, Alzheimer’s disease | Phosphorus | Lowers intestinal absorption of aluminum |
Lead | Microcytic hypochromic anemia, renal dysfunction, hypertension, anorexia, muscle discomfort, constipation, metallic taste, low IQ (children). | Calcium | Lowers intestinal absorption of lead |
Mercury | Mental symptoms (irritability, insomnia, fatigue, poor short-term memory), tremor, stomatitis, gingivitis, GI and renal disturbances, decreased immunity | Selenium | Protects against cellular toxic effects of mercury |
Cadmium | Femoral pain, lumbago, osteopenia, renal dysfunction, hypertension, vascular disease | Zinc | Competes for cadmium binding sites |
Arsenic | Peripheral arteriosclerosis (“blackfood disease”), “rice-water” stools, proteinuria, hyperkeratosis, “milk and roses” hyperpigmentation, garlic breath odor, stomatitis | DMSA | Removal or arsenic by competitive binding |
Source: J.A. Bralley, R.S. Lord, Laboratory Evaluations in Molecular Medicine, 2001, Institute for Advances in Molecular Medicine. |
Common Sources of Toxic Heavy Metals
Aluminum |
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Cadmium |
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Lead |
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Mercury |
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Arsenic |
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Source: J.A. Bralley, R.S. Lord, Laboratory Evaluations in Molecular Medicine, 2001, Institute for Advances in Molecular Medicine. |
Also see page on Specialty Metabolic Labwork which gives more information on diagnostic labwork that can be ordered.
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