Detox Heavy Metals from Your Body
Heavy metals aren’t good for you and your body.
However, fortunately, we aren’t talking about the musical rock band kind.
No. We’re talking about the chemical elements that your body absorbs from your food, water, and environment.
Heavy metal toxicity or heavy metal poisoning can cause unpleasant symptoms at best and even illness or death at its worst.
But how?
When you ingest them, these toxins enter your bloodstream and can be stored in your organs anywhere from a few days to a few years!
Moreover, they can cause symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, constipation, and can even be a factor in chronic diseases.
And if you suffer an acute poisoning of heavy metals which means you ingest a large amount of heavy metals all at once the symptoms can range from numbness to confusion and even fainting.
So I think that we can all agree that heavy metals aren’t good for you. And it is a problem that affects millions.
But what exactly are heavy metals? How do they enter your body?
Moreover, what can you do to detox yourself from these harmful elements?
Read on to find out how you can prevent heavy metals from derailing your health and your happiness.
What are Heavy Metals?
In essence, heavy metals are considered chemical elements and are classified
according to their weight or density.
Some of these metals are required by our bodies in small amounts to keep us healthy.
Others are dangerous for humans to ingest.
Some of the common heavy metals that people encounter include arsenic, copper, iron, lead, mercury, nickel, zinc, and even
And there’s more.
Experts have identified twenty-three heavy metals in total that can harm humans if ingested in large quantities.
However, as you can see from this list above, our bodies need iron, calcium, and copper, but not in the amounts that could lead to heavy metal toxicity or heavy metal poisoning.
So how where are these adverse elements hiding? Unfortunately, in lots of places.
Some are obvious and can be immediately avoided, and others are unavoidable.
The elements that are out of our control include exposure to environmental
contaminants such as air pollution, traffic exhaust, and radiation.
Smoking is another big cause but an easy fix, stop smoking.
Amalgam dental fillings are also known to cause mercury poisoning but can now be removed by your dentist and replaced with non-toxic elements.
An unhealthy diet high in processed foods from foreign countries with unhealthy soil can also be a contributor.
Certain fish are also known to cause heavy metal toxicity.
The Environmental Protection Agency cautions against consuming seafood products such as farmed raised fish as well as swordfish, shark, king mackerel and others.
Drinking water and certain household and personal products can also be contaminated with unacceptable levels of heavy metals.
So now that we know what to look for let’s investigate how these substances enter your body.
How do Heavy Metals Enter your Body?
Heavy metals can enter your body in a couple of ways.
We can ingest them through the food we eat, such as contaminated fish or if you take unregulated supplements that contain these harmful toxins.
You can also breathe them in if lead paint was used in an area you’re in or if you work in a factory that uses heavy metals.
And it doesn’t end there.
The problem isn’t necessarily taking in these elements. It is the fact that the heavy metals stay in your body and can do more harm than good.
The heavy metals get stored in organs, and especially fat tissue and they can remain there for years causing a person to have symptoms of heavy metal poisoning that they may not realize are caused by these harmful elements.
Furthermore, once the elements are there, they are difficult to get rid of.
In fact, the body itself has a built-in mechanism to protect organs and tissues and will trap heavy metals because it thinks it is helping the body.
In cases like this, weight loss can be one way to rid yourself of harmful heavy metals.
As the body loses weight, these chemicals are forced to be released naturally.
It is virtually impossible to avoid all heavy metals. They are embedded in the foods we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe.
However, there are some things to look for if you think you might be have been exposed to a harmful amount.
So how do you recognize the symptoms of heavy metal toxicity? Let’s explore the side effects of heavy metals.
Some are quite obvious, and some are so subtle that you might not even realize you’ve been affected.
What are the Side Effects of Heavy Metals?
Signs and symptoms of heavy metal poisoning and toxicity can range from mild to
severe.
Moreover, they can often be difficult to spot and identify as they mimic symptoms of other common ailments.
If you’ve been exposed to a large dose of heavy metals all at once, such as if there is an accident at a factory that you work at which uses heavy metals or if a child swallows a substance containing lead or other harmful elements, the side effects can be swift and severe.
These include confusion and a feeling of numbness, being sick to your stomach and vomiting or fainting.
If you think you’ve suffered an acute poisoning call 911 and see a doctor immediately.
Other symptoms and side effects show up over time as your body is exposed to low
levels over months or even years.
These are warning signs that may start off mild and increase over time, depending on your contact with the heavy metals.
These symptoms include headache and fatigue, weak and tired muscles and joints,
insomnia, skin irritations, and constipation.
Because these symptoms are more generic and can be caused by a variety of illnesses, it is especially important to be vigilant and take stock if you think you’ve been exposed to heavy metals.
It is also important to note if left untreated; heavy metal toxicity can imitate such
debilitating diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis.
Consult your doctor, medical expert, or naturopath if you think you’ve been exposed to heavy metals. There are tests designed to pinpoint heavy metal toxicity.
Moreover, if you think you have heavy metal poisoning, follow a natural detox plan to rid yourself of these harmful substances.
The following section outlines a simple and natural plan to get you back to feeling like yourself again.
How to Naturally Detox Your Body from Heavy Metals
What you put into your diet is just as important as what you take out of your diet when you embark on a detox to rid your body of heavy metals.
Foods, herbs, and spices and supplements will go a long way to helping you feel better soon!
As mentioned above, avoid smoking, processed foods, and environmental toxins when you can.
There’s no need to add more fuel to the proverbial fire. And there’s more.
Let’s look at what should be going into your body to fully detox yourself from harmful heavy metals.
Herbs and spices will go a long way to help you re-balance your system.
Cilantro and parsley along with oregano and basil are not only a great way to flavor your favorite dishes, but they are also anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant powerhouses that detoxify and lessen the buildup of heavy metals in your body.
Add cilantro and parsley to your daily smoothie or green juice and add oregano basil to your favorite dishes and reap the benefits of these super spices!
Edible plants like dandelion and milk thistle are other great options to which aid in liver function and can help reduce high levels of heavy metals.
Try them in a tea or supplement for a detoxifying effect that will have you feeling like yourself in no time.
The following foods help bind heavy metals to them and remove them in the digestive process:
- Leafy green vegetables
- Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C
- Water and bone broth
- Garlic
- Green tea
- Probiotics
- Spirulina
- Chlorella
There are also some medical treatments that can rid the body of heavy metals. Talk to your doctor or naturopath for more information about these treatments.
Putting it All Together for a Detoxifying Cure
So there you have it. Simple and straightforward ways to identify and treat heavy metal toxicity. And the good news? You can still listen to your heavy metal music. Just make sure the volume isn’t too high.
Sources:
https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborneillnesscontaminants/metals/ucm115644.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4303853/
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/7/7/2745/htm
https://dx.doi.org/10.1155%2F2015%2F760689
