What is Heavy Metal Toxicity?

As a follow-up to my Detoxification series, this blog explores Heavy Metal Toxicity which can be the surprising cause of many chronic health problems in some people. Lead and mercury poisoning are well‐described and linked to Heavy Metal Toxicity. Lead, for example, is up to 500 times greater in people living in the UK today than in people living during the Middle Ages.

Lead is known to be associated with lower IQ, cognition and development, as well as antisocial behaviour, attention‐deficit disorder (ADD) and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).[1] Mercury is also highly problematic and is known to cause mental disturbances and damaging neurological effects.

The presence of these heavy metals in low levels can also be the cause of chronic and long-term health problems. Low levels of heavy metals may lead to depression, anxiety, fatigue, digestive problems (including yeast overgrowth), joint pain, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and a multitude of other symptoms. The presence of heavy metals create oxidative stress, decrease absorption of nutrients, replace calcium in bone, burden the liver and kidneys, interfere with normal detoxification and even affect the immune system.

The effects of heavy metals can range from a compromised immune system to cancer[2] and heavy metal poisoning is even more serious with undetected symptoms that can be almost indistinguishable from Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

After completing professional development training in hair tissue mineral analysis, I am also aware of the harmful effects of arsenic and copper. High levels of arsenic are seen in every single test result due to environmental contamination and copper is also seen to be high in many of the results I have seen. Copper is vital in the right amounts but becomes detrimental in toxic levels. It is known as the ‘emotional mineral’ and in high levels it can wreak havoc on our mental health. A persistent candida yeast infection is also associated with high copper levels.

Where do we get Heavy Metal Toxicity?

Heavy metal poisoning is a common health issue which we are all subject to due to environmental exposure such as industrial, agricultural, and sewage waste.[3] Some occupations are associated with increased heavy metal poisoning, for instance working in factories where batteries are produced or working with solder or old buildings that may contain asbestos or mining and toxic waste exposure. Some household products can also contain heavy metals, including some canned foods, insecticides, ceramic and some pottery, and soldered pipes. Mercury and cadmium exposures are linked to certain seafood and wildlife consumption as well as exposure to cigarette smoke. From everyday products like cosmetics to novel technologies which have nanomaterials containing toxic elements like cadmium, heavy metal toxicity can come from a variety of sources.

How do we find Heavy Metal Toxicity?

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis

Your hair keeps a biological record of minerals in your body and it also keeps a record of long-term patterns of mineral levels over weeks or even months. A Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)  is a laboratory test that measures the levels of essential minerals and toxic metals in a small hair sample. It can be a valuable diagnostic tool and is especially beneficial for anyone wanting to check for heavy metal toxicity or anyone who suspects the following symptoms of heavy metal toxicity: fatigue, memory difficulties, digestive disturbances, and neurological issues such as tremors or numbness.

Heavy metals are often hidden in the tissues so initially they do not show in an HTMA. They compete with minerals (antagonise) so we work to increase minerals that are shown to be low in your HTMA results with the aim of beginning to gently push toxic metals out of your tissues. The HTMA tells us what has been happening with the levels of minerals and heavy metals over the last three months.

Blood Tests

The body tends to store heavy metals in the soft tissue and blood tests are only good to demonstrate recent exposure or when very high levels of the heavy metal are present. They can give valuable information, but they only give a snap shot in time.

Urine Chelation Challenge

You can take a chelating agent (a drug that binds to heavy metal) and measure the amount of heavy metal found in the urine over the next 24 hours. Unlike a blood test, this method will find metal that is stored in the body. Unlike hair analysis, a chelation challenge gives an idea of how much of the metal is present. In my opinion, I do not think this is safe and would not recommend it to my clients because it forces toxic heavy metals out of the tissue. Firstly, this can make someone feel very unwell. Secondly, there are toxic metals everywhere in our environment so we all have heavy metals stored in our tissues. I recommend more a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis because it is good to know your mineral levels so that you can gently antagonise the metals out of your tissues using the specific minerals your body needs.

How can we Detox?

Cilantro

Cilantro contains powerful chelating compounds and can significantly reduce heavy metal concentrations of mercury, lead, and aluminum.[4] Cilantro also supports liver and kidney detoxification and is full of antioxidants that combat oxidative stress. Coriander picks up heavy metals from the soil so is not always the best choice unless it is very carefully grown.

• Use as a garnish in salads and soups and curries
• Blend into salad dressings or smoothies
• Take in supplement form as a table or as a tincture

Chlorella

Chlorella, a type of freshwater algae, is also known for working well in combination with cilantro for heavy metal detoxification.[5] Where cilantro removes heavy metals from tissues, chlorella prevents their reabsorption into the bloodstream. I used to recommend Chlorella but I found that it can be too strong for someone who is sensitive resulting in them feeling very unwell as the liver is unable to cope with the number of toxins coming out the tissues.

Probiotics

Heavy metal toxicity has been associated with gut dysbiosis.[8] Since heavy metals in the gut is associated with metabolic dysfunction, increased inflammation, and oxidative stress, it makes sense to ensure optimal gut health which can improve detoxification and boost immunity. Several strains of Lactobacillus have demonstrated the capacity to effectively bind to and sequester heavy metals from aqueous solution and in human cell models.[9] Probiotic intervention may act as a therapeutic agent to combat the toxic effect of heavy metals and may enhance enzyme production and efficiency involved in detoxification processes.[10]

 

Chelation therapy

Chelation therapy involves the use of chelating agents that bind to heavy metal molecules and allowing them to be dissolved and excreted in the urine.[11] NAC is sometimes described as a chelator of toxic elements and shown to be valuable in reversing oxidative stress and metal toxicity.[12]

• Talk to me in your consultations for more information and guidance on chelation therapy and nutritional support

 

Binders

Zeolite

Zeolite has been clinically proven to not only mop up toxic metals but also histamine and mycotoxins (from water damaged buildings) amongst other things. I have found Zeolite to be wonderful in clients with histamine intolerance.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is a powerful treatment used as an emergency treatment in hospitals around the room. It can remove poisons from the body rapidly and help discard heavy metals and other toxins.

Bentonite clay

Clays like Bentonite clay can absorb negative charge toxins and can act like a sponge for chemicals and metals in the body. You can apply topically or take internally following strict instructions.

Diet

Certain foods can help reduce reabsorption of toxic metals and they can be vital in supporting natural detoxification pathways.[13] A detox diet based on foods rich in vitamin C, leafy green vegetables, bone broth, and herbs like ginger, basil, parsley and rosemary. Garlic and onions in particular have shown to be surprisingly beneficial in recent animal studies.[14] Drinking lots of pure water can help clear the toxins from the body.

Foods rich in sulfur, such as garlic and broccoli, may be good chelators.[15] Research has suggested that garlic may have prevented kidney damage from cadmium and reduced lead-related oxidative damage in rats.

In conclusion, knowing your unique mineral balance using the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis test can be the best course of action for most people. It can help you use your diet to increase the minerals you are low in which will also help to nudge out heavy metals.

If you would like to find out more, please contact me to discuss whether the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis is the right approach for you.

With every blessing,

Emma

Emma Maitland-Carew – Registered Nutritional Therapist

Dip.ION, mBANT, CHNC Registered Practitioner, ILM Accredited Wellbeing Coach

Certified Live and Dried Blood Analysis, Metabolic Balance® Coach, HeartMath Coach, Accredited Wellbeing Coach

 

 

[1] Lanphear BP, Hornung R, Khoury J, et al. Low-level environmental lead exposure and children’s intellectual function: an international pooled analysis. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2005;113(7):894–899.

[2] Ebrahimi M, Khalili N, Razi S, Keshavarz-Fathi M, Khalili N, Rezaei N. Effects of lead and cadmium on the immune system and cancer progression. J Environ Health Sci Eng. 2020;18(1):335-343.

[3] Jong-Joo Kim, You-Sam Kim, Vijay Kumar, Heavy metal toxicity: An update of chelating therapeutic strategies, Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Volume 54, 2019, pp 226-231,

[4] Aga M, Iwaki K, Ueda Y, et al. Preventive effect of Coriandrum sativum (Chinese parsley) on localized lead deposition in ICR mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2001;77(2-3):203–208.

[5] Uchikawa T, Kumamoto Y, Maruyama I, Kumamoto S, Ando Y, Yasutake A. The enhanced elimination of tissue methylmercury in Parachlorella beijerinckii-fed mice. Journal of Toxicological Sciences. 2011;36(1):121–126.

[6] Abenavoli L, Capasso R, Milic N, Capasso F. Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future. Phytother Research. 2010 Oct;24(10):1423-32.

[7] Kidd P, Head K.Altern, A review of the bioavailability and clinical efficacy of milk thistle phytosome: a silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex (Siliphos). Alternative Medical Review. 2005 Sep;10(3):193-203.

[8] Assefa S, Köhler G. Intestinal microbiome and metal toxicity. Curr Opin Toxicol. 2020;19:21-27.

[9] Zhai Q, Liu Y, Wang C, et al. Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM8661 modulates bile acid enterohepatic circulation and increases lead excretion in mice. Food Funct. 2019;10(3):1455-1464.

[10] Zhai Q, Tian F, Zhao J, Zhang H, Narbad A, Chen W. Oral administration of probiotics inhibits absorption of the heavy metal cadmium by protecting the intestinal barrier. Applied Environmental Microbiology. 2016;82(14):4429-4440.

[11] Sears ME. Chelation: harnessing and enhancing heavy metal detoxification–a review. Scientific World Journal. 2013 Apr 18;2013:219840.

[12] Flora SJS. Arsenic-induced oxidative stress and its reversibility following combined administration of N-acetylcysteine and meso 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid in rats. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology. 1999;26(11):865–869.

[13] Asagba SO. Role of diet in absorption and toxicity of oral cadmium—a review of literature. African Journal of Biotechnology. 2009;8(25)

[14] Suru SM. Onion and garlic extracts lessen cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. BioMetals. 2008;21(6):623–633.

[15] Lampe JW, Peterson S. Brassica, biotransformation and cancer risk: genetic polymorphisms alter the preventive effects of cruciferous vegetables. Journal of Nutrition. 2002;132(10):2991–2994.