Here we will discuss the need to Detox Heavy Metals and the approach we suggest.
What are heavy metals?
When considering the environmental impact of mobilized metals, the “big three”, mercury, lead, and cadmium, are in the limelight. Less so is perhaps mercury, which is being displaced from industrial processes by the introduction of new technologies, With relatively well-defined point sources of lead contamination, the major spread of lead in the environment has been partly curbed by the introduction of unleaded gasoline. (3)
Reduction of the toxic heavy metals in industry in recent years is helpful but the problem lies in the fact that many of the potential sources of these contaminants are old, and are now breaking down in the environment.
Let’s look at these individually in a little more detail.
Mercury poisoning cases have been reported in many parts of the world, resulting in many deaths every year. Mercury exposure leads to harmful effects on almost every organ and system. It should be considered a silent threat to the environment and human life, through the world. (4)
Mercury is utilized in the electrical industry (switches, thermostats, batteries), dentistry (dental amalgams), and numerous industrial processes including the production of caustic soda, in nuclear reactors, as antifungal agents for wood processing, as a solvent for reactive and precious metal, and as a preservative of pharmaceutical products (10)
Humans exposure to mercury usually take place via eating mercury-contaminated food, dental care procedures using amalgams, using mercury-based, thermometers, and sphygmomanometer, occupational exposure (e.g. mining) and using fluorescent light bulbs and batteries (4)
Mercury toxicity is not often included in the differential diagnosis of common subjective complaints such as fatigue, anxiety, depression, odd paresthesias, weight loss, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating, but these are the symptoms of low-grade chronic mercury exposure. (11)
Amalgam (Mercury) fillings
Mercury used in amalgam fillings has become a major concern, so often the amalgam fillings are removed. Unfortunately, this does not completely free the body of mercury as some will leach into the body after the fillings are removed.
Significant deposits of mercury, previously non-existent, were found in the lungs, kidneys, endocrine organs, liver, and heart with abnormal low-voltage ECGs of patients after amalgam fillings were removed. (2)
Such mercury contamination may then contribute to intractable infections or pre-cancer. However, these mercury deposits, which commonly occur in such cases, were successfully eliminated by the oral intake of 400 mg of Chinese parsley (Cilantro) daily for average weight adults. (2)
Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-gray metal present in small amounts in the earth’s crust. Although lead occurs naturally in the environment, anthropogenic activities such as fossil fuels burning, mining, and manufacturing contribute to the release of high concentrations. Lead has many different industrial, agricultural and domestic applications. It is currently used in the production of lead-acid batteries, ammunition, metal products (solder and pipes), and devices to shield X-rays. (10)
Exposure to lead occurs mainly via inhalation of lead-contaminated dust particles or aerosols, and ingestion of lead-contaminated food, water, and paints. Adults absorb 35 to 50% of lead through drinking water and the absorption rate for children may be greater than 50%. (10)
Toxic effects of Lead
Lead is the most systemic toxicant that affects several organs in the body including the kidneys, liver, central nervous system, hematopoietic system, endocrine system, and reproductive system. Lead exposure usually results from lead in deteriorating household paints, lead in the workplace, lead in crystals and ceramic containers that leach into water and food, lead use in hobbies, and lead use in some traditional medicines and cosmetics. (10)
There are many published studies that have documented the adverse effects of lead in children and the adult population. In children, these studies have shown an association between blood level poisoning and diminished intelligence, lower intelligence quotient-IQ, delayed or impaired neurobehavioral development, decreased hearing acuity, speech and language handicaps, growth retardation, poor attention span, and anti-social and diligent behaviors. (10)
In the adult population, reproductive effects, such as decreased sperm count in men and spontaneous abortions in women have been associated with high lead exposure. Acute exposure to lead induces brain damage, kidney damage, and gastrointestinal diseases, while chronic exposure may cause adverse effects on the blood, central nervous system, blood pressure, kidneys, and vitamin D metabolism. (10)
Cadmium is a heavy metal of considerable environmental and occupational concern. It is widely distributed in the earth’s crust at an average concentration of about 0.1 mg/kg. The highest level of cadmium compounds in the environment is accumulated in sedimentary rocks, and marine phosphates contain about 15 mg cadmium/kg (10)
The main routes of exposure to cadmium are via inhalation or cigarette smoke, and ingestion of food. Skin absorption is rare. Human exposure to cadmium is possible through a number of several sources including employment in primary metal industries, eating contaminated food, smoking cigarettes, and working in cadmium-contaminated workplaces, with smoking being a major contributor. (10)
Other sources of cadmium include emissions from industrial activities, including mining, smelting, and manufacturing of batteries, pigments, stabilizers, and alloys. Cadmium is also present in trace amounts in certain foods such as leafy vegetables, potatoes, grains and seeds, liver and kidney, and crustaceans and mollusks, liver, mushrooms, shellfish, mussels, cocoa powder, and dried seaweed. (10)
Toxic effects of Cadmium
Chronic inhalation exposure to cadmium particulates is generally associated with changes in pulmonary function and chest radiographs that are consistent with emphysema . Workplace exposure to airborne cadmium particulates has been associated with decreases in olfactory function . Several epidemiologic studies have documented an association of chronic low-level cadmium exposure with decreases in bone mineral density and osteoporosis. (10)
Cadmium is a severe pulmonary and gastrointestinal irritant, which can be fatal if inhaled or ingested. After acute ingestion, symptoms such as abdominal pain, burning sensation, nausea, vomiting, salivation, muscle cramps, vertigo, shock, loss of consciousness and convulsions usually appear within 15 to 30 min. Acute cadmium ingestion can also cause gastrointestinal tract erosion, pulmonary, hepatic or renal injury and coma. (10)
Herbs for Detoxing
Cilantro is a common herb used to flavor Chinese, Thai and Indian style of food. I would recommend using it regularly and freely, based on the research below.
Researchers found Cilantro (Chinese parsley) accelerates the excretion of Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), from the body through the urine. Subjects were given a course of antibiotics (Doxycycline for Chlamydia trachomatis infection) or anti-viral agents (EPA with DHA for Herpes Family Viruses) together with Chinese parsley. (1)
Since these vegetable/herbs were eaten, the amount of effective substance absorbed varied and some people did not like the taste of these relatively large amounts of either cooked or raw cilantro or its juice, but together with effective antibiotics delivered by drug uptake enhancement methods to the infected areas, the substances worked synergistically, rapidly reducing the generalized symptoms and infection. (1)
Seaweed and Algae
Seaweeds and algae have been studied extensively as they have the ability to absorb heavy metals naturally from their environment. Some seaweeds collected from the ocean have indicated impressive absorption of metals. Brown algae, in particular, are suited for binding metallic ions. (3)
Spirulina and Chlorella have been found to impart protection to rats exposed to lead and cadmium (5)
Biosorption has always been reported as a promising method to treat various kinds of pollutants. Microalgae is one of the most important biosorbents.
Certain algae (Chlorella, Scenedesmus, Hydrodictyon) perform better overall than other strains. Certain algal species remove > 90% of at least one metal and their relative performance varied according to the metal being investigated. Chlorella Vulgaris could tolerate a high concentration of 100 μg/ml of lead. (6)
Results of one study showed that Chlorella could inhibit the absorption of Radioactive Strontium into the blood and enhance the elimination of Radioactive Strontium from the body through absorption in the intestine. (7)
During the removal of Amalgam fillings activated charcoal or chlorella can be placed, along with a cotton roll and gauze under the teeth. This helps to intercept particles and to chelate dissolved metals that seep under the dam. (9)
Some specific foods have been identified to help reduce heavy metal toxicity. (8)
- Tomatoes (rich in iron, calcium, selenium, zinc, vitamins B and C, quercetin and naringenin)
- Berries (rich in essential elements, vitamin C, anthocyanin, and catechin)
- Onions (rich in selenium, quercetin, and vitamins B and C)
- Garlic (rich in sulphur-containing compounds, essential elements and vitamins C and E)
- Grapes (rich in vitamins, essential elements, and anthocyanin)
These foods should be consumed on a regular basis (8) All of which are highly recommended foods during our Herbal DETOX Program.
Having a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetable and following a detox program is a great way to enhance your body’s natural ability to detoxify heavy metals.
If you have amalgam fillings that are being removed, then it would be best to start the program immediately afterward. It would be best to follow the program for at least 4 weeks and follow the 14-day program twice, back to back. To get 20% off the price of this plan click here
Each LivaFood capsules contains:
- Cilantro 75mg
- Chlorella 75mg
During the 14 day Herbal DETOX you take ten capsules of LivaFood Daily giving a total 300mg of each herb, or 600mg of the combination.
In combination with the four other Detox herbal products and the detox diet plan, you will have made a huge step towards clearing your body of toxic heavy metals.
I hope this has been helpful.
(1) Role of mercury (Hg) in resistant infections & effective treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes family viral infections (and potential treatment for cancer) by removing localized Hg deposits with Chinese parsley and delivering effective antibiotics using various drug uptake enhancement methods. PUBMED http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8686573/
(2) Significant mercury deposits in internal organs following the removal of dental amalgam, & development of pre-cancer on the gingiva and the sides of the tongue and their represented organs as a result of inadvertent exposure to strong curing light (used to solidify synthetic dental filling material) & effective treatment: a clinical case report, along with organ representation areas for each tooth. PUBMED http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8914687/
(3) Biosorption of Heavy Metals B. Volesky and Z. R. Holant Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3480 University Street, Montreal, Canada H3A 2A7, and B. V. Sorbex, Inc., Montreal, Canada http://biosorption.mcgill.ca/publication/PDFs/101-BP’95-11,235-50-RevHolan.pdf
(4) Current approaches of the management of mercury poisoning: need of the hour. PUBMED http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4055906/#B91
(5) Phytochemicals Mediated Remediation of Neurotoxicity Induced by Heavy Metals. PUBMED http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4651672/
(6) Bioremoval capacity of three heavy metals by some microalgae species (Egyptian Isolates). PUBMED http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3443921/
(7) Evaluation of Chlorella as a Decorporation Agent to Enhance the Elimination of Radioactive Strontium from Body. PUBMED http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4734693/
(8) Dietary Strategies for the Treatment of Cadmium and Lead Toxicity. PUBMED http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4303853/
(9) A Safe Protocol for Amalgam Removal. PUBMED http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3270415/
(10) Heavy Metals Toxicity and the Environment. PUBMED https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4144270/
(11) Mercury Toxicity and Treatment: A Review of the Literature. PUBMED https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3253456/