For centuries, heavy metals have been a under recognized threat, slowly penetrating our environment, finding their way into the body, and negatively impacting our health. Heavy metals pose a dangerous threat due to their escalating levels in our environment, ability to accumulate in the body throughout our lives, and their affinity for essential organs such as the brain, liver, and kidneys. Acute metal toxicity can be found in the blood stream, but only for a matter of hours. But in just a matter of hours, the heavy metals leave the blood stream and are stored primarily in soft tissue and bone. This is why conventional blood tests, like serum lead levels, are not accurate in determining how serious our long-term low-level exposures are. These stored metals could cause serious health issues. These health issues will vary based on the type of metal you are exposed to, length of exposure, level of exposure, and there is even research being done on the potential increase in illness, with those predisposed by things such as metal sensitivity or allergies to metals. There are ways to detox, such as Chelation therapy, but in addition, it is essential that we minimize our exposures the best we can.
Sources of heavy metals in everyday life, ways to minimize exposures & detox:
Water Contamination
Heavy metals leach into water supplies from various sources based on where you live. These sources include industrial waste, agricultural runoff, rusted or corroded plumbing, mining operations, and many more. Lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury find their way into human water supplies, and sometimes at dangerous levels.
Lowering Exposure
Avoiding drinking any unfiltered water
Using a quality water filter is essential. Traditional water filters are better than no filter, but specialty water and/or filters are best
Examples of this are: Reverse osmosis water & Ionized water
If you cannot afford, or are not ready to commit to an advanced home filtering system, you can buy reverse osmosis water at many local natural grocery stores and fill large containers for little cost
Food and Agriculture
Heavy metal pollution easily enters soil and crops by way of industrial sources, fertilizers, irrigation water, and from direct contact with lead fuels raining down from airplanes over our water and crops. Our seafood is a significant source of heavy metals, especially mercury, due to bioaccumulation, especially in larger predator fish Seafood (for example: Marlin, Tuna, Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, and Tilefish). Rice and rice-based products like rice milk: due to how rice is grown, it has the potential to accumulate arsenic at 10-fold over other grains. Bone broth and collagen powder can be high in lead and other heavy metals because bone and cartilage (collagen) are where these metals like to settle in both humans and animals. The animals we eat are living on the same planet we are, as far as exposures. And surprisingly, leafy greens, especially non-organic can be higher is metals like Cadmium, as it accumulates on the leaves and other foliage of the plant from air and water pollution, more than it does root vegetables for example.
Lowering Exposure
- Eat only organically sourced produce (especially leafy greens and berries)
- Support local farmers. Shortening the supply chain will lower changes for secondary exposures in transport
- Limiting Fish in your diet, especially the large predator fish mentioned above
- Certain foods have natural detoxifying properties and can help eliminate heavy metals from the body: cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and kale, can help with increasing the detoxing process of the liver. Chlorella, sulfur-rich garlic, cilantro, wild berries, spirulina, barley grass juice powder, Atlantic dulce, curry, green tea, and tomatoes
- Fermented foods also help detoxify the body through healthy gut function and liver detoxification. Examples are: Ferif, Kimchi, Kombucha, Sauerkraut, Miso, and Sourdough.
- Drinking lemon water & good hydration can help detoxify the body of heavy metals
- Probiotics and high fiber diet are heavy for the gut microbiome, which is a part of the body commonly burdened by heavy metals. Having normal bowel movements regularly and avoiding constipation will help your body process harmful metals
Air Pollution
Emissions from vehicle exhaust, industrial sources, combustion processes, and led airplane fuel are released 24 hours a day into the air we breathe, but it can also settle into water sources, crops, and soils. This contributes to the metals we breathe in, but it also contributes to the contamination of the food chain.
Lowering Exposure
- Staying indoors when air quality is reported as poor. App: IQAir, AirVisual
- Use a high-quality indoor air filter
- Close windows and doors often if living in an urban area or a high pollution
Beauty & Self Care Items
Heavy metals, especially lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum, nickel, arsenic, and mercury, are silently lingering in many everyday consumer products including, cosmetics (make-up), decorative jewelry, tattoo ink deodorants, toys, furniture, mattresses, and even floor rugs. To be noted: The last time the FDA passed a bill related to cosmetics safety was in 1938, that is 86 years ago!
Lowering Exposure
- Avoiding decorative jewelry coming in prolonged contact with skin
- Buying “Natural” cosmetics is not the answer, since mineral makeups are primarily made from clay and talc, which are commonly contaminated with heavy metals. And buying “High-End” cosmetics is also not the answer. These can be even less likely to be evaluated, as this is less of a selling point. Studies done on both luxury and budget brand makeup found both contained similar levels of these toxins.
- Look for brands that advertise additional testing for contaminants like metals, those that disclose all the ingredients in the product. Makeup highest in metals are typically in powder form like blush and eyeshadow, but can also be in concealers, primers, bronzers, mascara, eyeliner, and especially “red” lipstick.
- Brands that do additional testing and are known for cosmetic safety, for example: Beauty Counter, Primally Pure, and jane Iredale
- You can also visit EWG’s Skin Deep Database for unbiased cosmetic safety reviews
- Avoid or minimize tattooing
- Never use antiperspirants!
- Use aluminum free deodorant: Native, Kopari, Salt & Stone, Dr. Squatch, LUME, Schmidt’s, Pretty Frank, and more.
Occupational Risks
Certain jobs have increased risk for heavy metal exposures: manufacturing, construction, mining, insulators, battery makers, glass makers, boiler workers, firefighters, HVAC mechanics, plumbers, railroad workers, shipyard workers, appliance installers, mechanics, welders, electricians, aircraft maintenance, carpenter, painters, pipefitters, and more.
Other Important Measures
- Sweating helps the body rid itself of harmful substances. This occurs when you do cardiovascular exercise. You can also attend things classes like hot yoga. Vapor caves and sauna sessions are also a fantastic way.
- Supporting Liver Function because your liver is one of the most powerful detoxifying powers in our body. Staying well hydrated, eating a whole-foods diet, and minimizing alcohol intake can help your body rid itself of harmful heavy metals. Foods that help support liver health are high quality olive oil, beets and beet juices, cranberries, blueberries, artichokes, garlic, citrus fruits like grapefruit, walnuts, and prickly pear.
- Supplementation is a wonderful way to help flush out toxins like metals. Examples of these are: MCP (modified citrus pectin) and Alginates purified from kelp. Both substances help bind metals, creating a barrier so they have difficulty penetrating the body and help to eliminate them.
- Other Nutrients:
- Glutathione a powerful antioxidant is known to neutralize heavy metals
- High dose Vitamin C supports detoxification in the body and overall immune function
- Avoid Use of Plastics because besides the leaching of microplastics into all food and drink that is in a plastic container or transferred to a plastic container, introduces extremely harmful chemicals into the body including metals. Choose GLASS!
- Cookware Choices are especially important.
- Shiny glazes and coatings on dishes can leach metals such as Cadmium, Nickel, and Lead.
- Aluminum Pots, Pans, tea kettles…. just NO WAY!
- TEFLON pans, cookie sheets, and most non-stick pans, especially those made with either PTFE or PFOA another absolute NO!
- INSTEAD…. Choose Ceramic, Glass, and Cast-iron. If you must use metal, stainless steel will do. But note, stainless-steel and ceramics are lined, and sometimes that layer is something like Aluminum. Choosing a brand that either does not contain aluminum or making sure you replace any lined cookware when it becomes scratched, or the surface if it has been compromised in some way. Instead try: Xtrema (Pure Ceramic Cookware-no metals, toxins or even aluminum lining), Caraway, Green Pan, and Our Place.
- Bamboo flatware, TruFlavorWare (for the most earth friendly, sustainable disposables)
- Household Chemicals and Cleaners are FULL of harmful toxins, including metals. Choose natural household cleaners like white vinegar
- Replace Rugs with non-fibrous flooring. Vacuum well and often if you must keep your carpeting.
- JUST STOP MICROWAVING THINGS!!! This needs no further explanation, I hope.
- QUIT SMOKING and avoid secondhand smoke exposure because amongst an extensive list of hazardous chemicals, manufactured tobacco products like cigarettes are full of Lead and Cadmium.
- Homes painted prior to 1978 need evaluation for lead paint and mitigation must occur if lead is identified
