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Small amounts of certain heavy metals, such as zinc and iron, are necessary for your body to function properly, However, having an excess of heavy metals in your body can be toxic and affect the function of specific organs such as the liver, brain, and lungs. High levels of these toxins can also reduce energy levels and affect the blood's composition. Long-term exposure to heavy metals can cause certain degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, so it's important to rid yourself of these toxins.

What Are Heavy Metals?

Metals are found naturally in the soil because they are part of the earth's crust. According to the National Institutes of Health, a heavy metal is a chemical element with a certain gravity that is at least five times that of water. Certain metals such as iron, zinc, and manganese are essential to your body's proper functioning since they're responsible for a variety of tasks such as regulating your metabolism, forming red blood cells, and helping your liver to function.

However, other types of metals can cause damage to your body, especially if you ingest high levels of them. If you're like most people, you want your body free of as many toxins as possible. Knowing how to identify and remove heavy metals from your body is one of the best ways to optimize your health.

Some of these types of heavy metals and where you might find them include the following:

  • Aluminum. Most commonly found in antiperspirants and other personal care products, aluminum contributes to the buildup of toxins in the body.
  • Arsenic. This metal is commonly found in brown rice and seafood, and both inorganic and organic forms are naturally occurring. The inorganic form is more toxic.
  • Lead. Paint in older homes and in glass are some of the major sources of lead. It's also found in bone broth and unfiltered water.
  • Mercury. This metal was a concern when used in older fillings in teeth. It was also an issue with the use of thimerosal, which is a preservative used in certain vaccines since it contains 50% mercury by weight. Those who consume a lot of fish such as swordfish and tuna, which have bio-accumulated mercury in their fatty areas, might have too much mercury in their bodies.
  • Thallium. Some, but not all, cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and kale might accumulate thallium from the soil.

These heavy metals can enter your body via certain environmental factors and food. Some of these sources include the following:

  • Fossil fuel emissions.
  • Industrial waste.
  • Mining.
  • Pesticides that are used on crops.
  • Smoking tobacco.
  • Soil erosion.
  • Wastewater.

What Is a Heavy Metal Detoxification?

As mentioned, you have a certain amount of heavy metals found in your body. These toxins that you ingest, absorb, and inhale are found in your food and environment. To determine if you're suffering from an excess of heavy metal, you might need to undergo detoxification. The primary goal of the detox is to remove accumulated heavy metals from your nervous system and brain.

A medical professional uses urine, serum, red blood cells, plasma, or whole blood to examine your toxicity levels. Don't be surprised to have your specimen examined for more than 30 different elements. Different testing methods are used to test for toxicity because each toxin is excreted differently.

Once the heavy metal accumulation is identified, you might undergo chelation therapy. This procedure, which you can also perform at home, involves administering chelating agents to remove those toxins by binding to molecules, letting them dissolve, and excreting them in the urine.

Why Is Heavy Metal Detoxification Important?

Most doctors don't regularly test for heavy metals in the blood simply because they might not recognize the symptoms associated with them. Also, certain symptoms experienced with heavy metal poisoning can be confused for other issues. By working with a specialist, such as one that works at the biostation, you can have your body tested to make sure your body doesn't have an excess of heavy metals.

Without ridding your body of heavy metal accumulation, your body ends up suffering slightly. Some common symptoms you might experience include the following:

  • Achy muscles and joints.
  • Brain fog.
  • Constipation.
  • Fatigue.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Hormone imbalance.
  • Immune dysfunction.

However, after the detox, you should have improved digestive function, higher energy levels, and enhanced mental performance. Overall, you should begin to feel better almost immediately.

What Steps Can You Take to Lower Your Heavy Metal Risk?

There is virtually no way to entirely avoid heavy metal exposure, especially since metals are natural elements found across the globe. Environmental metals are an issue because over time they can accumulate within your body tissue without you even knowing. However, you can take certain steps on your own to ensure your body doesn't accumulate too many toxic heavy metals.

One of the best ways is to focus on a high-fiber diet. Aim to get between 30 to 50 grams of fiber each day from plant-based sources. Make sure you pair this diet with enough hydration to encourage your body to rid itself of those toxins. Consider adding a variety of bitter greens and fresh herbs such as cilantro, mint, and basil.

Another key is to eliminate commonly inflammatory foods such as dairy, soy, or gluten. Instead, focus on anti-inflammatory foods that include organic fruits and vegetables as well as healthy fats. These foods can naturally support your body's organs including your liver and kidneys.

What Are Some Symptoms of Heavy Metal Detoxification?

Your body has adjusted to a certain amount of heavy metals in your body, so when you eliminate them, it's common to experience a sort of withdrawal. All of the following symptoms are completely normal and temporary:

  • Bloating.
  • Gas.
  • Low energy.
  • Metallic taste in your mouth.
  • Nausea.
  • Skin rash.
  • Vomiting.

If you're interested in learning more about heavy metal detoxification, reach out to the biostation. After administering a metal detoxification agent, we examine the levels of toxic materials in your urine. Although acute metal poisoning is rare, chronic and low-level exposure is more common and can cause a variety of adverse health issues and chronic diseases. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.

Image via Unsplash by @charlesdeluvio