Heavy Metals in the Body

The Problem
Toxic heavy metals, such as mercury, cadmium and lead, are associated with many serious diseases and health problems.
Cancer, heart disease, cardiovascular problems, birth defects, skin disorders, nervous system related numbness, and mental and neurological disorders represent only a few of the health problems associated with toxic heavy metal poisoning.
Heavy metal poisoning can result from eating contaminated foods, drinking coffee, smoking, and even breathing the air in a polluted city. In fact there are a host of sources of toxic heavy metal poisoning.
The Sources
Aluminum - cookware, beverages in aluminum, cans, antacids, antiperspirants, bleached flour and processed cheese
Arsenic - beer, pesticides, cosmetics, tap water, fungicides, paint and table salt
Beryllium - plastics manufacturing, electronics, steel alloys and volcanic ash
Cadmium - tobacco, tap water, coffee, air pollution, seafood and auto exhaust
Lead - hair dyes, cigarette smoke, tap water, paint, auto exhaust, inks and glazes
Mercury - amalgam fillings, chlorine, seafood, fabric softener, adhesives, waxes, medications and air pollution
Copper - copper water pipes, birth control pills, swimming pools, intrauterine devices, nutritional supplements (especially prenatal vitamins)
Nickel - hydrogenated oils (margarine, commercial peanut butter and shortening)

So what can you do about this?
Find out if you are lead-toxic. One very easy test is a simple blood lead test. Be sure the lab can measure VERY low levels of lead accurately. Anything higher than 2 micrograms/deciliter is toxic and should be treated.Unfortunately, the blood test only checks for current or ongoing exposures, so you must also take a heavy metal challenge test with DMSA, EDTA, or DMPS, which can be administered by a doctor trained in heavy metal detoxification. (See http://www.functionalmedicine.org/ or http://www.acam.org/ to find a qualified doctor.)
The easiest and most convenient way to test is to use the Heavy Metal Screen Test in the comfort of your own home, you get immediate results in an easy to use format.(Consider undergoing chelation therapy if your lead levels are high.)
Reduce your exposures by having a “no shoes in the house” policy.
Test your water for heavy metals. (Heavy Metal Screen Test can be used for this also)
Buy a carbon or reverse osmosis water filter for your drinking water.
Take 1,000 milligrams of buffered ascorbic acid (vitamin C) a day, this helps remove lead from the body.
Take 2,000 to 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day to prevent your bones from releasing lead into your bloodstream.
Using a product called Natural Cellular Defense, daily is way to remove metals and other toxins that may be present. Click on the Waiora link for further details.
Even though many of us have toxic levels of lead in our bodies, there is a lot we can do to prevent it and treat it.

Until next time,
JT