Do you currently have
heavy metal toxins damaging the inside of your body?
The answer is unfortunately "yes" for over 99% of us!
So what is a “heavy metal” and
what do I need to know? If
you’re thinking of Ozzy Osbourne, KISS, or Ted Nugent, you’re
not alone. The truth is that most people do not fully understand
the real dangers of heavy metal poisons and just how common they
are in our modern world. Fortunately, you can take steps to understand
and minimize such threats through simple acts of education, prevention,
and treatment that will help to lessen any negative impact on you
and your family’s health.
Remember chemistry class?
Heavy metals are simply a certain class of metallic elements. Our
bodies require trace amounts of some heavy metals, including copper,
zinc, and others, but even these can be dangerous at high levels.
Other heavy metals such as mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium have
no known benefits, and their accumulation over time can cause serious
illness and even premature death. The industrialization of our world
has dramatically increased the overall environmental 'load' of heavy
metal toxins. Today, heavy metals are abundant in our air, soil,
and even drinking water. They are present in virtually every area
of modern life from construction materials to cosmetics, medicines,
processed foods, fuel, appliances, and even personal care products.
It is very difficult for anyone to avoid exposure. However, you
can take steps to understand and minimize this threat through acts
of prevention and treatment that will help to lessen their negative
impact on you and your family’s health.
Heavy metal toxins contribute to a variety of adverse health effects.
There are over 20 different known heavy metal toxins that can impact
human health. Accumulation within the body can lead to a decline
in the mental, cognitive, and physical health of the individual.
The following paragraphs discuss three of the most common and dangerous
heavy metal toxins:
How to Remove Heavy Metal Toxins
Arsenic
The use of this toxic element in numerous industrial processes has
resulted in its presence in many biological and ecological systems.
Ground, surface, and drinking water are susceptible to arsenic poisoning
from the use of arsenic in smelting, refining, galvanizing, and
power plants; environmental contaminants like pesticides, herbicides,
insecticides, fungicides, desiccants, wood preservatives, and animal
feed additives; and human made hazardous waste sites, chemical wastes,
and antibiotics. After the absorption of arsenic compounds, the
primary areas of distribution are the liver, kidneys, lung, spleen,
aorta, and skin. Arsenic compounds are also readily deposited in
the hair and nails.
Arsenic is a highly toxic element that has been used historically
for purposes of suicide and homicide. Its health effects are well
known and documented. Acute exposure to arsenic compounds can cause
nausea, anorexia, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle cramps, diarrhea,
and burning of the mouth and throat. Garlic-like breath, malaise,
and fatigue have also been seen while contact dermatitis, skin lesions,
and skin irritation, are seen in individuals who come into direct
tactile contact with arsenic compounds. Studies have shown close
associations between both inhaled and ingested arsenic and cancer
rates. Cancers of the skin, liver, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal
tract are well documented in regards to arsenic exposure. Several
arsenic compounds have been classified by the US Environmental Protection
Agency as a Class A - Human Carcinogen (IARC 1987).
How to Remove
Heavy Metal Toxins
Lead
Lead is the 5th most utilized metal in the U.S. Human exposure to
lead occurs primarily through drinking water, airborne lead-containing
particulates, and lead-based paints. The primary source of lead
in drinking water is from lead-based plumbing materials. The corrosion
of such materials will continue to increase concentrations of lead
in municipal drinking water. The EPA actually allows small amounts
of lead to be present in our tap water due to this insurmountable
problem. Lead from water and airborne sources have been shown to
accumulate in agricultural areas leading to increased concentrations
in agricultural produce and farm animals. Cigarette smoke is also
a significant source of lead exposure.
Lead is one of the most toxic elements naturally occurring on Earth.
High concentrations of lead can cause irreversible brain damage,
seizure, coma, and death if not treated immediately. Evidence suggests
that lead may cause fatigue, irritability, memory problems, reduction
in sensory and motor reaction times, decision making impairment,
and lapses in concentration. In adults, lead is very detrimental
to the cardiovascular system. Occupationally exposed individuals
tend to have higher blood pressure and are at an increased risk
for cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The
kidneys are targets of lead toxicity and prone to impairment at
moderate to high levels of lead concentrations. Other signs/symptoms
of lead toxicity include gastrointestinal disturbances, abdominal
pain, cramps, constipation, anorexia and weight loss, immunosuppression,
and some liver impairment.
Children absorb lead much more efficiently than adults do after
exposure and are susceptible to the most damaging effects of lead
toxicity. Lead not only appears to affect cognitive development
of young children but also other areas of neuropsychological function.
Young children exposed to lead may exhibit mental retardation, learning
difficulties, shortened attention spans (ADHD), increased behavioral
problems (aggressive behaviors) and reduced physical growth. Lead
has been determined by many health experts to be the #1 threat to
developing children in our industrial societies.
How to Remove
Heavy Metal Toxins
Mercury
Mercury occurs primarily in two forms: organic mercury and inorganic
mercury. Inorganic mercury and elemental mercury are both toxins
that can produce a wide range of adverse health affects. Inorganic
mercury is used in thermometers, barometers, dental fillings, batteries,
electrical wiring and switches, fluorescent light bulbs, pesticides,
fungicides, vaccines, paint, skin-tightening creams, antiseptic
creams, pharmaceutical drugs, and other ointments. Humans have the
ability to convert this inorganic mercury to an organic form once
it has become absorbed into the bloodstream. Organic mercury is
known to bio-accumulate due they body’s inability to process
and eliminate it. Organic mercury is found primarily in marine life
(fish) and can often be found in produce, farm animals, processed
grains, dairy products, and surface water sources.
Occupational exposure to mercury containing compounds presents
a significant health risk to individuals. Dentists, painters, fishermen,
electricians, pharmaceutical/laboratories workers, farmers, factory
workers, miners, chemists, and beauticians are just some of the
professions chronically exposed to mercury compounds.
Our understanding of the effects of methyl mercury poisoning comes
primarily from epidemic poisonings in Iraq and Japan. In Iraq more
than 6,000 individuals were hospitalized and 459 died as a result
of methyl mercury poisoning. Adults experienced symptoms including
parasthesia visual disorders, ataxia, fatigue, tremor, hearing disorders
(deafness), and coma. Observations of exposed individuals have shown
irreversible brain damage. Iraqi children poisoned through the consumption
of mercury containing food products (grains treated with mercury
containing fungicides) exhibited nervous system impairment, visual
and auditory disorders, weakness, motor and cognitive impairment,
and emotional disturbances. Individuals in Japan experienced many
of these same symptoms after the ingestion of fish containing large
amounts of methyl mercury.
Mercury has recently been implicated as being a contributing factor
to the increasing prevalence of autism in American children. The
Autism Research Institute has focused on mercury containing vaccines
(TMS) and their relationship to autism. Over 2 million individuals
are affected with autism, a neurodevelopment syndrome that typically
produces impairment in sociality, communication, and sensory/perceptual
processes. Recent evidence has found a positive correlation between
complications seen in autistics and complications seen in mercury
poisoned individuals (Bernard et al. 2000). Mercury poisoning has
been implicated in the development of many other human dysfunctional
states for many years. Among these are cerebral palsy, amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease, psychosis, and chronic
fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Other heavy metal toxins include Aluminum, Antimony, Barium, Bismuth,
Cadmium, Cesium, Nickel, Platinum, Rubidium, Thorium, Tin, Tungsten,
and Uranium.
How to Safely Remove Heavy Metal Toxins:
We are just now beginning to understand the threat of long-term
exposure to heavy metal toxins. However heavy metal toxicity is
a condition that often goes overlooked in traditional medical diagnoses.
Heavy metal toxins have the ability to impair not just a single
cell or tissue but many of the body's systems that are responsible
for our behavior, mental health, and proper physiological functioning.
If undetected, these agents can cause immeasurable pain and suffering
for any afflicted individual. Fortunately, there are avenues that
we can pursue to detoxify heavy metals already in our system and
to prevent additional exposures.
Testing Options:
Various forms of testing include urine, stool, hair, and blood analysis.
Each method has different pros and cons and applications.
Blood tests are useful for identifying ongoing
chronic exposures. However, blood testing is not a good method for
identifying past exposures stored in the body’s tissues.
Hair testing measures the body’s excretion
of toxic metals over a long period of time. The length of hair determines
what time period is being averaged.
Urine and Stool testing also measures the body’s
excretion of toxic metals, but is primarily a measure of recent
exposure, usually during the last few days.
Provocation Testing is widely considered
the most conclusive method. This testing involves
the use of a detoxification agent, followed by a collection of urine.
This test tells you two important facts: 1.) The metal was present
in the body, and 2) It demonstrates that the detoxification agent
can remove it. It is best to first take a baseline urine sample,
followed by the provoked sample. This allows one to directly compare
the effects of a provocation agent.
Removal
Options:
Traditional Chelation: Popular therapies
known as “chelation” often rely on intravenous (IV)
solutions to help eliminate heavy metal toxins. EDTA, DMSA, and
DMPS are three compounds that have traditionally been used for the
removal of heavy metals. These therapies have been shown to be effective,
but also potentially harmful due to their side-effects that compromise
the body’s nutritional status via mineral depletion. These
therapies can also be very expensive, very time consuming, and extremely
difficult for young children.
All Natural Zeolite: An exciting,
newly patented oral chelation option utilizes a purified form of
the zeolite mineral, clinoptilite. Zeolite is a natural mineral
formed over thousands of years from the combination of volcanic
ash and sea water. Due to its negatively charged 3-D honeycomb-like
structure, it acts as a ‘cage’ that allows it to trap
a variety of harmful toxins and heavy metals. It has been shown
to be incredibly effective in the removal of heavy metal toxins,
but without the dangers of removing critical minerals. In fact,
in animal studies it has been shown to actually improve their overall
nutritional status. It is also conveniently administered in the
form of liquid drops that can be added to water or any other liquid,
and it does not require prescription or oversight by a physician.
Purified zeolite also offers other health benefits as a pH buffering
agent as well as its ability to remove some allergens and viral
components from the body. Anecdotal evidence and ongoing clinical
studies also support the use of purified zeolite in preventing and
treating most forms of cancer.
It is important to note that not all zeolite products are created
equal. Only one product carries a United States Patent which protects
the process used to purify the mineral. Because zeolite attracts
heavy metals and toxins literally like a magnet, it is already “dirty”
from exposure to environmental toxins while in its natural state.
The patented purification process cleans the zeolite structure resulting
in a much more powerful and inherently safe form of the mineral.
To learn more about purified zeolite and heavy metal testing,
please visit:
http://www.allnaturalprevention.com/pages/oral-chelation.htm
Prevention Steps:
The best solution for combating heavy metal toxins is to avoid them
in the first place. Today’s modern world makes this task almost
impossible, but significant improvements can be accomplished using
the following guidelines:
1. Avoid mercury-silver dental amalgams: Mercury
based amalgams are the major source of mercury in most Americans.
Consider extraction and replacement, but only through a qualified
and experienced dentist.
2. Avoid fish and some shellfish: Fish and seafood
are a common source for mercury and even arsenic, especially the
largest fish (shark, swordfish, tuna), which are highest in mercury.
Buy organic, tested, and certified mercury-free fish and seafood.
3. Clean Water: Use a high quality water filtration
unit for all drinking water. A high quality shower filter also helps
to avoid inhalation of heavy metals, chlorine, and other contaminants.
4. Clean Air: Outdoor air pollution is hard to
avoid, but indoor air pollution is often much worse due to our energy
efficient, air-tight buildings. High quality air filtration and
purification systems have quickly become an important part of any
healthy lifestyle.
5. Clean Food: Buying Organic foods (preferred)
or extensive washing of the surfaces of fruits and vegetables is
a very important step as well as avoiding virtually all processed
foods. Nutrition is a vital component to helping the body detoxify
itself.
6. Natural Products: Household cleaners as well
as many personal care products such as skin creams and make-up have
been found to carry heavy metals and other toxic elements. Buy all
natural products whenever possible.
7. Thimerosal-free vaccines: Thimerosal has
NOT been removed from all vaccines. Many adult vaccines, including
the common flu-shot, still contain Thimerosal, a mercury based preservative.
8. Avoid Industrial Areas: As much as possible,
avoid areas of industry especially in choosing where to live. Air,
water, and food contamination is typically worse in these areas.
A.B. Goad is the founder of www.AllNaturalPrevention.com,
a website dedicated to prevention using all natural products, effective
technologies, timeless wisdom, and common sense. To learn more about
purified zeolite and heavy metal testing, please visit:
http://www.allnaturalprevention.com/pages/oral-chelation.htm
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