Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Heavy Metal Toxicity: How to know if you have been exposed and what to do if you have?
Heavy
metals are elements which can be found on the periodic table and are
five times heavier than water in equal amounts. There are about 23
heavy metals we may be exposed to on a regular basis which include but
are not limited to: Arsenic, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cadmium, Lead,
Mercury, Platinum, Nickel, Uranium, Tin, Hexavalent Chromium, Vanadium,
Cobalt and Titanium.
Arsenic
The
heavy metal Arsenic can be found in chemical fertilizers, fungicides
and pesticides. It is not uncommon for high amounts of Arsenic to be
found in homes that are treated with chemical pesticides. Napoleon
Bonaparte, Emperor of France met his demise due to Arsenic poisoning.
In an autopsy, it was found his body contained 13 times the amount of
lethal levels of Arsenic. It was also discovered that all of his wine
tasters had the same amount of Arsenic in their bodies as well.
Symptoms of Arsenic poisoning include numbness, tingling, burning
sensation, muscle tenderness, neuropathy and darkened areas of the skin
not exposed to sunlight.
Lead
According
to the National Safety Council lead is a highly toxic substance,
exposure to which can produce a wide range of adverse health effects.
Both adults and children can suffer from the effects of lead poisoning,
but childhood lead poisoning is much more frequent. Over the many years
since we have known about the hazards of lead, tens of millions of
children have suffered its health effects. Even today there are still
at minimum more than four hundred thousand children under the age of
six who have too much lead in their blood.
Sources of Lead
include gas, lead-based paint, battery manufacturing, plumbing, hair
coloring, cosmetics and pesticides. Many candles made in China also
contain Lead. Symptoms can include: allergies, birth defects, colic,
hyperactivity and mood swings.
Cadmium
Cadmium
is another highly toxic heavy metal that can be found in nickel cadmium
batteries, motor oil, insecticides, fertilizer sludge and in cigars and
cigarettes. High concentrations of cadmium levels can also be found in
the water, air and soil in industrial areas. Cadmium toxicity targets
the liver, brain, kidneys, bones and the placenta of pregnant women.
Symptoms of cadmium poisoning include: hair loss, loss of taste and
smell, Osteoporosis, migraine headaches and learning disorders.
Aluminum
Aluminum
is not a heavy metal, but it is still very toxic. There are many
products on the market today that contain Aluminum such as
antiperspirants, soaps, cigarettes, food products, soda cans, baking
powders, cookware, aluminum foil, and even drinking water. When using
Aluminum cookware while preparing an acidic food like tomato, the
aluminum will actually leach into the food. This also applies to
aluminum foil. Aluminum found in drinking soda cans is also broken
down by the carbonated beverage contained in the can which means with
each sip of soda you're also getting a dose of Aluminum.
Symptoms
of Aluminum toxicity include headache, disorientation, Cancer,
heartburn, colic, flatulence, along with being linked to Osteoporosis,
extreme nervousness, anemia, memory loss and Alzheimer's Disease.
Mercury
Do
you recall the fictional character of the Mad Hatter in the story of
Alice in Wonderland? Many believe the term “mad hatter” came into use
because of the fact that in Victorian times Mercury was used in order
to cure felt that was used in the making of some hats. Many of these
men became very ill over time due their exposure to Mercury with
symptoms of neurological damage with impaired speech. With increased
exposure to Mercury the symptoms progressed to psychotic behavior such
as hallucinations. Many of these men were labeled as being mad.
In
our modern society today we are exposed to Mercury through dental
amalgam fillings, chlorine, some of our oceans, and from vaccinations
which contain the preservative Thimerosol, which contains Mercury.
Symptoms
of Mercury toxicity include: metallic taste in the mouth, headaches,
weakness, visual disturbances, anxiety, emotional instability,
forgetfulness, tremors like those seen in individuals who have
Parkinson's Disease, ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Children are
particularly sensitive to Mercury as their nervous systems are still
developing.
How Can We Safely Detoxify Our Bodies From Heavy Metals?<
First
off, limit your exposure as much as possible to these harmful
elements. For those who do have silver amalgam fillings that contain
Mercury you have the option of having these fillings removed by a
holistic dentist or a dentist who practices natural dentistry. Be sure
this dentist uses safety precautions that are necessary when removing
and disposing of these toxic fillings.
Vitamin C Ascorbates
binds with Mercury and will literally pull it out of the body. It is
important to start out very slowly when using the Vitamin C in order to
avoid unwanted side effects or what naturopathic practitioners call
“the healing crisis”. Nutrients can stir up toxins in the body once
you give the body the needed fuel to expel unwanted substances. Slow
and steady is the key to moving the toxins out so the body can keep up
with the job of eliminating them. Vitamin C Ascorbates is a non-acidic
form of Vitamin C and is also unsweetened. It can be mixed with water
or other beverages for a tasty drink. It consists of Calcium,
Magnesium and Potassium – minerals which are very much needed by the
body. It is recommended to start out with 1000 mg. 2 times per
day. If you do have Mercury fillings removed, it is very beneficial
to premix this drink and take it along with you to the dentist.
Drinking the Vitamin C Ascorbates drink right after the fillings have
been removed will help to remove the Mercury that is released from
fumes that have been vaporized during the removal.
Do a Vitamin C
Flush. A Vitamin C flush encourages the bowels to move and cleans out
the body. This is a great cleanse even if you don't have heavy metal
issues. The Vitamin C flush cleanse will give you fabulous energy
after the 1st or 2nd day after the cleanse. Many experience immediate
benefits.
Vitamin C Flush by Joan Kasich, CNHP
This
flush cleans out the entire digestive and intestinal tract quickly and
effectively. Sometimes individuals will feel tired after the initial
cleanse. However, on the following day, they will get a surge of
energy. Others feel better right after the flush. This flush should be
done immediately after having any mercury amalgam removed from the body.
Step by Step Process
(This protocol is only recommended for use with Natures Sunshine
Vitamin C Ascorbates so as not to lose any electrolytes.)
-
Start with the normal amount of Vitamin C Ascorbates you personally use
daily. For example, if you take 2000 mg per day, then dissolve 1
teaspoon of Vitamin C Ascorbates in 2 oz of water or 1 to 2 oz. of
orange juice to enhance the flavor. Swallow this mixture.
- Every 30 minutes, dissolve 1/2 Teaspoon Vitamin C Ascorbates (equal to 1000 mg.) in about 2-3 oz of water/orange juice mix.
- Repeat every 30 minutes until you have a watery flush. The "flush" will
feel as if you are evacuating a quart of liquid from the rectum after
an enema. It feels as if you are having "explosive diarrhea". You need
to stay close to a bathroom when you are doing this flush as the urge
to evacuate will come on very quickly.
- Note how many
milligrams of Vitamin C it took to have the flush. For example, if you
had the flush at 12,000 milligrams, then a dose of 10,000 milligrams
per day is needed for your body at that time. It is recommended to
disperse the 10,000 mg. throughout the day.
- You should have a flush within 4 hours. If you do not have a flush, discontinue the flush, and start again the next day.
- However, the next day, start with the amount that you ended with the
previous day. For example, if you got up to 10,000 milligrams and did
not have a flush, start with 10,000 milligrams right at the start.
Then, add 2 Teaspoons (4000mg) to 3 oz of the juice mix every 15
minutes until you get a flush. Note the amount of Vitamin C Ascorbates
it took to get the flush. If it took 20,000 mg to get the flush, then
the following day, take about 15,000 mg per day, spread throughout the
day (ie, 2 teaspoons, 4 times per day).
- This is the test
to find out the amount of Vitamin C Ascorbates you need to take daily
to Bowel Tolerance. Over time as you detoxify more and more your body
will need less and less Vitamin C.
- If you have a high
mercury count as a result of Hair or Urine Analysis, it is recommended
to do this once a week. Otherwise, a Vitamin C Flush can be done about
once a month or once a quarter as maintenance. It's a safe and quick
way to cleanse the entire body. This cleanse does not cause your body
to lose electrolyte balance because it contains much needed minerals.
Heavy Metal Dotox
binds and removes heavy metals from the body. It supports the liver
and helps the body replenish vital minerals and contains Cilantro,
Apple Pectin, Sodium Alginate, Kelp, Kelp Algae, Alpha Lipoic Acid and
Magnesium. An excellent protocol for removing heavy metal toxins is
to do the Vitamin C Flush a few times over a period of time then begin
taking the Heavy Metal Detox. Start out with 1 capsule per day
gradually increasing to 2 capsules.
Algin or sodium alginate is
an important part of the Kelp plant. It is mucilaginous which means it
is a bulking fiber and helps to encourage normal elimination and will
expand and grab toxins to help expel them from the body. As we get
older it is important to make sure we are getting adequate amounts of
Fiber in our diet. Algin binds many toxic metals – especially Cadmium.
Start with 1 capsule 3 times per day then gradually build up to 2
capsules 3 times per day. Algin like any other fiber should be taken
at a different time of day than vitamin and mineral supplements as it
can absorb the nutrients.
Super Omega 3 EPA
is a source of two fatty acids, EPA and DHA. Metals tend to lodge in
the fat cells. Fatty acids such as Super Omega 3 EPA help to bind to
the heavy metals and pull them out of the body. Use 1 to 2 capsules
per day.
Hydrated Bentonite Clay
when taken internally can help to eliminate toxins. This can also be
used in a bath. Internally take about 1 Tablespoon 2 times per day in
a glass of water. For a detoxifying bath use 2 cups in a warm tub of
water. Be sure not to soak longer than 20 minutes as the pores in the
skin will open up and toxins could leach back into the body. Rinse off
the Hydrated Bentonite Clay in the shower. To eliminate exposure to
Chlorine use a filter on the shower head.
Mega Chel
rids the body of anything that is attached to the arteries that
shouldn't be there. It is a powerhouse of nutritional support for the
Circulatory System but it also grabs heavy metals as well. High in
nutrients such as Vitamins A, C, D, B12, Niacin, Calcium, Copper, Iron,
Phosphorous, Magnesium, Citrus Bioflavonoids and much more. Begin by
taking 1 tablet twice daily for a week. Then take 2 tablets twice daily
for the second week. Gradually increase to 4 tablets with a meal twice
daily. Maintain this level for three to four months. Then gradually
taper off in a similar manner.
Liquid Calcium is great for anyone who has Lead poisoning. The Lead binds to the Calcium and is then removed from the body.
NAC helps to protect the body from second hand cigarette smoke and also protects the liver from heavy metals.
NAC or N-Acetyl Cysteine
is an amino acid that is essential for the body to mount a defense
against free radicals. It helps protect the cells from the damage
caused from drugs, metal poisoning and cigarette smoke. The herb
Turmeric is added to increase liver support. NAC may interfere with
the efficacy of insulin and should not be used by those who have been
diagnosed with Diabetes without first consulting with their health care
provider.
The use of
Probiotics along with
Fiber is indicated in individuals who have Candida that can't seem to get rid of it which is in common with Mercury toxicity.
Selected Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, The Penguin Group, 2006.
Occupational Safety & Health Administration: www.osha.gov
National Safety Council: www.nsc.org
en.wikipedia.org
www.naturessunshine.com