HEAVY METAL DETOX

Dangers of Heavy Metals and How to Do a Heavy Metal

Detox

Symptoms and even chronic diseases related to heavy metal toxicity (also called
heavy metal poisoning) is now considered to be a problem that millions of
people deal with. (1)

Exposure to toxic heavy metals is believed to be a contributing factor, if not a

root cause, of symptoms like low energy, mood disturbances and cognitive
changes. Heavy metals first enter your bloodstream from exposure to farmed
fish, contaminated water, dental fillings and household products. These metals
then travel throughout your body and penetrate the cells of various tissues and
organs, where they can remain stored up for years!

How do you treat heavy metal toxicity? Following a heavy metal detox plan is
one of the best ways to start reversing symptoms. One thing to be aware of,
however, is that while you work on overcoming metal poisoning, you might
actually notice some symptoms getting worse before they get better. Potential
heavy metal detox symptoms can include fatigue, loss of appetite and digestive
issues.

What foods can help remove heavy metals from the body? As you’ll learn more
about below, foods to include in a heavy metal detox include leafy green
veggies, other non-starchy veggies, herbs, spices, algae and other superfoods,
and bone broth.
Detoxifying treatments and certain supplements can also be incorporated into a
natural heavy metal diet plan to help support your brain, nervous system, liver
and other vital organs. Want to learn how to detox your body from heavy metals
and other chemicals? Follow detox diet and treatment plan described below to
help rid your body of toxins.

Dangers of Heavy Metals (aka Heavy Metal

Poisoning)
What exactly are “heavy metals”? Heavy metals are elements that can be toxic
and very dangerous even in low concentrations. Heavy metals that can lead to
toxicity (or “poisoning”) include: (2)

 Mercury
 Lead
 Arsenic
 Cadmium
 Aluminum
 Nickel
 Uranium
 Thallium
 Other definitions include manganese, iron, lithium, zinc and calcium (yes,
under certain conditions very high levels of even essential minerals can
become dangerous) (3)

Heavy metal poisoning describes a number of health problems caused by

exposure to environmental metals that accumulate inside the body. According to
a report in Scientific World Journal, “Toxic metals such as arsenic, cadmium,
lead, and mercury are ubiquitous, have no beneficial role in human homeostasis,
and contribute to noncommunicable chronic disease.” (4)

Researchers have identified that significant exposure to at least 23 different

environmental metals (called “heavy metals”) can contribute to acute or chronic
toxicity. These metals are described as being heavy because they stick around in
the body, especially hiding out in adipose tissue (fat cells). They are difficult to
get rid of, making them similar to fat-soluble toxins. Body fat tries to protect the
organs by trapping certain substances inside, including some metals, which
causes them to linger. This is one reason weight loss can sometimes result in
heavy metal detoxing, as fat cells shrink and release dormant toxins.

There is virtually no way to entirely avoid heavy metal exposure, considering

metals are natural elements found all over the world in the food supply, water
and ground. (5) Environmental metals are problematic because over time, they
can accumulate within bodily tissues, often without the person who is affected
even realizing this is happening. Heavy metal toxicity can result in damaged or
reduced mental and central nervous function, plus damage to the vital organs —
such as the liver, heart, endocrine glands and kidneys.

Long-term exposure to heavy metals may lead to physical, muscular, and

neurological degenerative processes. When they become severe, heavy metal
poisoning symptoms can even mimic symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s
disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Because heavy metal
poisoning symptoms mimic those related to aging (such as loss of memory and
increased fatigue), many people blame getting older as the cause of their
emerging symptoms, not realizing that heavy metal exposure is a major
contributing factor.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Heavy Metal Poisoning?

Some of the most common warning signs that you might be struggling with
heavy metal toxicity include:

 Chronic fatigue
 Autoimmune diseases, including Lyme’s disease
 Poor recovery from exercise and weakness
 Skin irritation
 Neurological disorders
 Brain-fog, trouble concentrating, difficulty learning and poor memory
 Depression, manic depression and/or anxiety
 Dementia
 Insomnia
 Digestive issues, such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
 Chronic aches and pains, such as those associated with fibromyalgia
 Tremors
 Impaired motor control, hearing, speech, vision and gait
 Anemia
 Higher risk for heart attacks

Where Do Heavy Metals Come From?

Mercury poisoning is one of the most common types of heavy metal

poisoning. Almost every single person in the world has at least trace amounts of
mercury in his or her body. Why? Some of the factors that can cause mercury
poisoning (and other types of heavy metal toxicity) include:

 Exposure to environmental pollutants, such as traffic fumes, air pollution,

food contaminants, cigarette smoke or radiation.
 Having metal amalgam dental fillings (silver fillings slowly release
mercury into the body).
 Eating a poor-quality diet (for example, eating farm-raised fish that carry
high levels of mercury). According to the Environmental Protection
Agency, the most common way we’re exposed to mercury in the U.S. is
by consuming fish you shouldn’t eat that contains health-hazardous
heavy metals, such as tilefish, swordfish, shark, king mackerel and bigeye
tuna. (6) A diet that includes processed foods, especially those that are
imported from foreign countries and not organically grown (and even
plant foods grown in soil that has high levels of metals) can also be a
contributing factor.
 Drinking water that is contaminated with trace amounts of metals (such
as aluminum).
  From birth (heavy metals can be passed down in utero from mother to her
offspring).
 Exposure or use of household substances that carry mercury, such as
adhesives, air condition filters, cosmetics, fabric softeners, felt, floor
waxes and polishes, and talcum powder.
 Getting tattoos.
 Exposure to substances that carry lead, such as some chocolates, canned
foods, toothpastes, old paints, insecticides, ceramic and some pottery, and
soldered pipes.
 Use or exposure to other household items, such as antiperspirants, baking
powder, certain baby formulas, plastic toys, antacids, aluminum foil,
certain metal pots and pans, stainless steel cutlery, coins, and some
makeup.
 Possibly receiving certain vaccinations.

In high amounts, mercury is one of the deadliest metals there is. Certain studies
have found that when nerves are exposed to mercury, the myelin sheath (the
fatty substance that surrounds the axon of some nerve cells and helps with
electrical signaling) can become severely damaged, interfering with how nerves
communicate.

What are some warning signs and side effects associated with mercury
poisoning? These include: changes to the central nervous system,
irritability, fatigue, behavioral changes, tremors, headaches, problems hearing,
skin damage and cognitive loss. (7)

Can you die from heavy metal poisoning? While it’s rare, it’s possible — in
some severe cases, metal poisoning has lead to hallucinations and death.

Related: Metal in Baby Food: Study Finds 95% Contain Heavy Metals

What Is a Heavy Metal Detox? Plus Benefits of Heavy Metal Detox

If someone has reason to believe that they have had excessive exposure to
metals, they should seek medical testing for metal poisoning by speaking with
their doctor or integrative practitioner/naturopath. Heavy metal testing in the
form of hair analysis or a blood test is now widely available and is useful for
confirming suspected toxicity. Even if you choose not to be tested for toxicity,
many of the diet and lifestyle changes described below will still be beneficial
for immune system function, gut health, liver function and more.

The primary goal of a heavy metal detox is to remove accumulated heavy

metals from your brain and nervous system. The kidneys, liver, heart, lymphatic
system and respiratory system will also benefit from detoxification, such as
a liver cleanse.

How are toxins removed from the body? The most common way is through
chelation. Chelation therapy is a medical procedure (although it can also be
performed at home) that involves the administration of chelating agents to
remove heavy metals from the body by binding to molecules and allowing them
to be dissolved and excreted in the urine.

Chelation is central to natural detoxification of heavy metals because it works

with glutathione and other small molecules to promote excretion. It’s
recommended that it be performed by a doctor since serious side effects are
possible, such as removal of essential minerals and cognitive impairment. (8)

Other ways to detox the body of heavy metals include making dietary changes
and using herbs and supplements, which help to break down metals into smaller
molecules so they can be removed from urine, feces, sweat and even the breath.

Benefits of doing a heavy metal detox include:

 Reduced free radical damage/oxidative stress

 Improvements in energy levels
 Enhanced immunity and gut health
 Better digestive function
 Improvements in mental performance (attention, memory, learning, etc.)
 Improved skin health
 Better protection against diseases cognitive disorders and autoimmune
disease

Heavy Metal Detox Diet

First and foremost, changing your diet should be the first step you take to
improve your overall health. What foods can help remove heavy metals from
the body?
Foods to eat while doing a heavy metal detox include:
  Leafy green veggies — Greens are some of the most powerful heavy
metal detox foods. Try to have some type of bitter greens each day, such
as kale, swiss chard, dandelion greens, mustard greens, arugula, spinach
or beet greens. Broccoli sprouts are another great food for providing
antioxidants and reducing inflammation. The powder
from moringa leaves is also a great detoxifier.
 Herbs and spices — Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant herbs and spices
like basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, thyme, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon
and cilantro can help remove heavy metals. Cilantro (along with other
green herbs and plants) is one of the best herbs for detoxifying and can
help reduce the buildup of heavy metals like mercury and lead in the
body. (9) Try adding herbs like cilantro and parsley to fresh-squeezed
green juices.
 Foods rich in vitamin C – Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C can
reduce the damage caused by heavy metal toxicity by acting as an
antioxidant. High-vitamin C foods include citrus fruits like oranges or
grapefruit, leafy greens like spinach and kale, all types of berries, broccoli
and cruciferous veggies, kiwi, papaya, guava and bell pepper.
 Garlic and onions – These vegetables contain sulfur which helps your
liver detoxify itself of heavy metals like lead and arsenic.
 Water – Drink 8 ounces of water or vegetable juice every two hours to
stay hydrated and help flush out toxins.
 Flax and chia seeds – These provide omega-3 fats and fiber that can
help with detoxification of the colon and reduce inflammation.
 Bone broth— Bone broth helps to keep you hydrated, provides important
mineral, and supports liver health by providing glutathione. It also
provides amino acids that help strengthen the organs. Consume bone
broth by either making your own and sipping on several cups daily, or by
using protein powder made from bone broth.

Foods to avoid while detoxing include:

 Farmed fish – Farmed fish, especially those from foreign countries

where the quality is not monitored, can contain heavy metals, dioxins and
PCB’s which are highly toxic. The worst offenders are tilefish, swordfish,
shark, king mackerel and bigeye tuna. You can continue to eat fish up to
several times per week — just make better choices that are low in
mercury and purchase wild-caught fish, ideally from a local fisherman
that you trust.
 Food allergens – If your body is fighting against common allergens and
dealing with high levels of inflammation, it will not be able to detoxify
from heavy metal poisoning as well.
 Non-organic foods – These foods increase exposure to chemicals which
make symptoms worse. Some of the worst offenders include conventional
apple juice and brown rice products. For a list of other foods that you
should always try to buy organic, see this list of the Dirty Dozen,
detailing the most pesticide-contaminated produce as tested by the
Environmental Working Group (EWG).
 Foods with additives – Additives may aggravate toxicity symptoms and
decrease your body’s ability to detoxify.
 Alcohol – Too much alcohol is toxic to the body and can make it more
difficult for your liver to process other toxins.
Supplements to take that may help you overcome heavy metal poisoning
include:

 Chlorella (1-4 grams per day, or about 4-8 caps daily) — Chlorella is a
type of green algae that acts as a natural chelator to remove heavy metals,
especially lead and mercury. It’s a great source of chlorophyll and is
“hungry” to absorb other metals. You can take it in powder or tablet
form.
 Vitamin C (3000 milligrams daily) — Acts as an antioxidant to help
reduce free radicals.
 Cilantro (preferably taken as a tincture 2x per day)
 Shilajit (between 100-500 milligrams daily, typically in powder form)
— Shilajit is an adaptogenic plant that has certain things in common with
activated charcoal, especially that it contains a lot of carbon. It’s a natural
chelator because it contains fulvic acid and humic acid that bind to toxic
molecules. (10)
 Milk Thistle (150 milligrams taken 2x daily, or milk thistle tea 1-3 times
daily) — This is one of the most popular herbs for detoxifying the
liver. Silybin is a component with the greatest degree of biological
activity that has strong antioxidant properties. It may act as a toxin
blockade agent by inhibiting binding of toxins to cell membrane
receptors. Silymarin has been shown to reduce liver injury and is used to
treat alcoholic liver disease, acute and chronic viral hepatitis and toxin-
induced liver diseases. (11)
 Probiotics (soil-based, 50 billion units one time daily) — Can help
improve detoxification of the gut and help boost immunity.

Treatment methods to use include:

 Chelation therapy — Of all heavy metal detox products, chelation
therapy is probably one of the most effective ways to reduce serious
heavy metal exposure, especially metals like lead,
mercury, aluminum and arsenic. Chelation therapy involves a chemical
solution called EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), which is
administered into the body, typically directly into the bloodstream via
injection, so it can bind with excess minerals. EDTA chelation therapy
helps to eliminate metals by binding salts to molecules. After EDTA
attaches to heavy metals, together they both move to the kidneys where
they are eliminated through urine. Most people need between 5–30
chelation sessions to see the best results. While it’s considered to be
generally safe, side effects are possible. What are potential side effects of
chelation therapy? These include burning at the injection site, vomiting,
feeling dizzy, fever, headaches, nausea, low blood sugar symptoms and
blood pressure changes.
 Activated charcoal— Activated charcoal is a treatment that works to
eliminate metals and toxins via adsorption, or the chemical reaction
where elements bind to a surface. The porous surface of activated
charcoal has a negative electric charge that causes positive charged toxins
and gas to bond with it. Charcoal is so powerful that it’s used as a
emergency treatment for removing poisons from the body very fast. (12)
It’s full of carbon and can help discard heavy metals and other
toxins. Look for activated charcoal made from coconut shells or
identified wood species that have ultra-fine grains. Follow directions
based on the specific type you use. Whenever you take activated
charcoal, it’s imperative to drink 12–16 glasses of water per day.
 Bentonite clay— Clays are used to absorb toxins because they act like a
sponge or magnet for chemicals and metals inside the body. (13) Due to
its poly-cationic nature, bentonite clay leads to absorption of negative
charge toxins. Most clays are meant for topical use only (they are not
meant to be ingested). However, some high-quality, organic clays can be
used internally, although you need to be very careful about doing this
(contact the manufacturer to ask if it’s safe to consume the clay).
Historically, many cultures ate clay to obtain minerals and help cleanse
their bodies of parasites and other microbes. If you do want to use clay
internally, mix 1/2 teaspoon with water, shake to combine and take once
daily.
 Triphala— Triphala is a a traditional Ayurvedic herbal formulation
made from the dried powder of three different fruits that contain the
strong antioxidants called gallic acid, pelagic acid and chebulinic acid.
(14) Triphala has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-
diarrheal abilities. Consuming triphala can help to cleanse the digestive
tract, relieve constipation and produce regular bowel movements, which
 are important for removing metals, bacteria, and excess fatty acids from
the body. It can be consumed in tea form, powder form, as liquid tincture
or in capsule form. Take it on an empty stomach, ideally about two hours
before bedtime.
 Homemade Anti-Itch Cream — If you deal with skin irritation or
itchiness either before or during your heavy metal detox, then apply anti-
itch cream to help soothe the inflammation. This cream contains coconut
oil and shea butter to boost hydration, essential oils to fight infection and
help with healing, and ingredients like apple cider vinegar and bentonite
clay to cleanse and detoxify the skin. Spread the cream over itchy skin
irritations 2–3 times (avoid if you have an allergy to any of the
ingredients).

Heavy Metal Detox Recipes

Detox drinks and recipes can help to naturally reduce inflammation, boost
energy, support digestion, cleanse the liver and promote gut health. Detox
drinks are especially useful for providing raw vegetables, fruits and herbs that
stimulate detoxification while providing vitamins and minerals. Many detox
drinks can be made with ingredients you already have at home, like lemon
juice, apple cider vinegar, cucumbers, leafy greens, berries, ginger, herbs or
melon. You can also make detoxifying water drinks, which you can sip on
throughout the day.

Below are recipes to incorporate into your heavy metal detox plan:

1. Secret Detox Drink Recipe

2. Other Detox Drinks

3. Detox Smoothie Recipes

4. Detox Switchel

5. Dandelion Tea

6. Directions for making Milk Thistle Tea

Heavy Metal Detox Symptoms + How to Deal with Them

When you begin to detoxify, certain symptoms can be expected as you body
starts to acclimate. Before you wind up feeling better and seeing improvements
in your health, you might actually feel worse at first for a brief period of time.
This is a sign that your body is going through changes that might not feel very
great, but ultimately they will leave you healthier once you get through them.
Remember that your body heals itself, and in the process you might need to go
through a transition phase that feels uncomfortable.

What are the side effects of detoxing? Potential heavy metal detox symptoms
you might temporarily experience while you’re cleansing include:

 Bloating and gas

 Nausea or vomiting
 Diarrhea or constipation
 Headaches
 A skin rash
 Changes in appetite
 Low energy
 Metallic or sour taste in the mouth

Some people find that if they jump into a detox too “aggressively” and quickly,
they wind up dealing with significant side effects/symptoms. It’s advised that
you detox slowly and gradually; start by making dietary changes and then
beginning incorporating herbs, supplements and treatments over the course of at
least several weeks or months.

Try to stick with the detox plan outline above and be patient — it will be worth
it! To ease symptoms, stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep, eat a nutrient-dense
diet, manage stress and only do moderate exercises until you gain more energy.

How long can you expect it to take for a heavy metal detox to begin working? It
really depends on how high your levels are, the source(s) of exposure and the
efforts you make to rid yourself of these metals.

Remember that heavy metal exposure slowly takes place over many years, so
getting rid of them will not happen overnight. It might take months for even
longer for you reverse the problem, but it’s important to stay on track since
toxicity can have a negative life-long impact on your health.

Precautions/Side Effects When Doing A Heavy Metal Detox

Because heavy metal toxicity causes such a range of health problems, it can be
easy to confuse toxicity without another underlying health condition. If you
have concerns about your heavy metal levels, it’s a good idea to see a doctor for
testing who can help diagnose you. Regarding what to do amalgam about dental
fillings, talk to your dentist about available options (I recommend seeking out
a IAOMT-certified dentists who has been trained in biocompatible dentistry).

It’s especially important for women who are considering becoming pregnant in
the near future to know their heavy metal levels, since toxicity can contribute to
developmental problems in newborns. If a women has been diagnosed with high
levels of a heavy metal, such as mercury, it’s recommended that she delay
pregnancy by at least a few months so they can work on restoring normal levels
first.

Final Thoughts

 Heavy metals are elements that can be toxic and very dangerous even in
low concentrations. The most dangerous heavy metals include mercury,
lead, cadmium and arsenic.
 Causes of heavy metal toxicity include environmental pollution, food
contamination, water contamination, metal dental fillings and use of
household/beauty products that contain trace amounts of metals.
 Heavy metal detoxes use foods, herbs, supplements and treatments to
excrete metals from the body via the urine, feces, sweat and breath. Some
of the most effective include chelation therapy, bentonite clay, milk
thistle, triphala, bone broth, bitter leafy greens, algae, raw juices and
herbs.
 Symptoms might get worse during a detox before they get better as the
body transitions and cleanses.