Heavy Metal Poisoning
Heavy metal poisoning is becoming a common health issue especially with the prominent use of mercury fillings. Two types of heavy metal toxicity often seen nowadays are lead and mercury poisoning and can affect children and adults. Both may go untreated because the symptoms are mistaken for other illnesses but excessive levels of either lead or mercury in the body can cause serious damage to health short-term and long-term.
Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning can cause excess levels of aggressiveness, irritability, damage to the nervous system, damage the reproductive system, elevate blood pressure, and harm the developing brains of children. In fact, I stumbled across some articles that investigated the correlation between murder rates in various cities and increased exposure to lead. One author even asserted based on research conducted that inner city crime may actually be the result of children in urban environments being exposed to something around 10 million tons of lead residue from paint, the environment, and from water pumped through lead pipes. A Cincinnati study conducted over a twelve year period showed, “a shocking 50% increase in violent crimes occurred for each 5 mcg/dcL increase in blood lead concentration.” In addition, “The results showed that the brain’s gray matter — the part associated with intellect and reasoning ability — was shrunk an average of 1.2%.”
In addition to water, paint, and the environment the list of products that contain lead continues to grow including things like cosmetics, batteries, jewelry, toys, vitamins, food cans, cell phones, computers, lipstick, water fountains, balsamic vinegar, and fruit juices. In fact, some samples of apple and grape juices have been found to contain unhealthy levels of arsenic along with lead that exceeded federal standards for bottled and municipal water.
Mercury Poisoning
Mercury poisoning can damage your brain, central nervous system and kidneys. Some of the symptoms of toxic build up in the body due to heavy metals include fatigue, depression, impaired blood sugar regulation, and female reproductive problems. Primary causes of mercury poisoning include dental fillings, and eating fish that have been exposed to mercury. A study for Biodiversity Research Institute in Maine around 2013 showed that 84% of all fish available for mass consumption have unsafe levels of mercury. Tuna and swordfish usually have the highest levels, but other fish are still susceptible to toxicity.
Did you also know that high fructose corn syrup also has high levels of mercury? This highly addictive food additive is in almost everything on the supermarket shelves, which proves that the majority of processed foods are indeed toxic and need to be avoided at all costs. If you have fillings and for that reason or otherwise think you may be exposed to heavy metals, you can purchase over the counter cleanses that are effective. A great and festive way to combine a few mercury cleansing foods is to regularly make fresh salsa with tomatoes, garlic, onions, and a generous serving of cilantro. In the event that you have already been diagnosed and are already struggling with mercury or lead poisoning, thankfully mother nature has provided some foods that can help to flush the heavy metals out of your body. Remember during your process that you have the power to take control of your own healing. Be gentle with yourself and, stay focused on that vision of your recovery.
Nutritional Balance is one of the things that helps to counteract lead toxicity. When your body has optimal amounts of zinc, calcium, magnesium, selenium, iron, copper, B vitamins this helps to curb the effects of lead on your system. Vitamin C is key because it neutralizes the effects of lead and increases its elimination. Restore balance by closely watching your diet to ensure you are getting a wide range of nutrients from whole foods, especially those listed above, as well as integrating a high quality multivitamin and superfoods. Go to whatever lengths necessary to eat hormone and pesticide-free for a more effective detox program.
Garlic is another natural remedy that can be used to heal from lead and mercury poisoning. In 1960 a Belgian scientist discovered in his research that garlic can bring about detoxification in cases of chronic lead poisoning. The sulfur in garlic also plays a big role in combating mercury poisoning.
Aloe Vera which can be taken in juice form or by using the gel from the plant can help with heavy metal toxicity especially lead because it loosens bowel movements so that toxins can be expelled from the body. You want to ensure aloe vera is taken in moderation.
Brazil Nuts contain selenium which is a powerful mineral for neutralizing toxins.
Cilantro is a heavy metal detoxifying superfood which actually binds mercury in the bloodstream and facilitates it leaving the body. It is also a very powerful remedy for flushing lead and aluminum. It is most powerful when combined with chlorella, because as it mobilizes toxins to leave the body, chlorella binds with them and assists in removing them safely.
Chlorella, another heavy metal detoxifier is a single-celled freshwater algae that acts as an efficient detox agent. The large amounts of chlorophyll present in chlorella make it extremely powerful, allowing the body to process more oxygen, cleanse the blood, and promote the growth and repair of tissues. Clinical studies have shown that when combined with cilantro they can remove an average of 87% of lead, 91% of mercury, and 74% of aluminum from the body within 42 days.
References:
Dufault R, LeBlanc B, Schnoll R, Cornett C, Schweitzer L, Wallinga D,
Hightower J, Patrick L, Lukiw WJ. Mercury from chlor-alkali plants: measured
concentrations in food product sugar. Environ Health. 2009 Jan 26;8:2. doi:
10.1186/1476-069X-8-2. PubMed PMID: 19171026; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2637263.
Guida, T. (2013, January 13). Study finds unsafe mercury levels in 84 percent of all fish. Retrieved August 12, 2018, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/study-finds-unsafe-mercury-levels-in-84-percent-of-all-fish/
Hawthorne, M. (2016, May 13). Studies link childhood lead exposure, violent crime. Retrieved August 12, 2018, from http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-lead-poisoning-science-met-20150605-story.html