Heavy metal
poisoning has become an increasingly major health problem, especially
since the industrial revolution. Heavy metals are in the water we drink,
the foods we eat, the air we breathe, our daily household cleaners, our
cookware and our other daily tools. A heavy metal has a density at least 5
times that of water and cannot be metabolized by the body, therefore
accumulating in the body. Heavy metal toxicity can cause our mental
functions, energy, nervous system, kidneys, lungs and other organ
functions to decline. Learning where these metals can be found and
decreasing one’s exposure is vital to staying healthy. For the person who
wonders if they have heavy metal poisoning, testing is essential. If a
person has heavy metal toxicity then interventional natural medicine
procedures need to be performed.
Aluminum
Sources:
Aluminum foil, antacids, aspirin, dust,
auto exhaust, treated water, vanilla powder, nasal spray, milk products,
salt, commercially-raised beef, tobacco smoke, anti-perspirants, bleached
flour, cans, animal feed, ceramics, commercial cheese
Symptoms and
DIseases: Flatulence,
headaches, dry skin, weak and aching muscles, senility, spleen pain,
stomach pain, liver dysfunction, kidney dysfunction, neuromuscular
disorders, osteomalacia, colitis, anemia, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis, hemolysis, leukocytosis, porphyria, heartburn, memory
loss, numbness, paralysis, Parkinson's disease, excessive perspiration,
leg twitching, cavities, colds, behavioral problems, constipation
How Aluminum affects
health:
Nervous system-
Aluminum inhibits Na-K-ATPase
and hexokinase enzymes into the brain. It blocks the electrical discharge
of nerve cells, which reduces nervous system activity.
Behavioral effects-
Kidney dialysis related to aluminum toxicity causes memory loss, loss of
coordination, confusion and disorientation.
Digestive system-
Aluminum is used in many antacids, which reduces the intestinal activity.
Excess may cause colic.
Arsenic
Sources: Coal
combustion, paints, rat poisoning, beer, pesticides, table salt, seafood
from coastal waters (oysters, shrimp, muscles), fungicides, drinking
water, wood preservatives.
Symptoms and
Diseases: Enzyme inhibitor, anorexia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,
chronic anemia, drowsiness, dermatitis, stomatitis, liver dysfunction,
hair loss, headache, vertigo, fever, stupor, herpes, jaundice, fluid loss,
throat constriction, spasms, respiratory tract infection, garlicky odor to
breath or stool, keritosis, pallor, goiter.
How Arsenic affects
health:
Skin-
Arsenic is a carcinogen that accumulates in hair, nails, and skin causing
depigmentation, rashes on palms and soles of feet.
Musculorskeletal
system- Arsenic poisoning
will retard the growth of limbs, resulting in deformities and birth
defects.
Kidneys-
Build up of arsenic in the kidneys will quickly cause kidney damage.
Nervous system-
A decrease in mental ability due to damage of brain cells.
Digestive system-
Arsenic will cause serious abdominal cramps accompanied by diarrhea and
anemia.
Beryllium
Sources: Coal
burning, household cleaners, industrial dust, manufacturing
Symptoms and
DIseases: Disturbance of calcium and vitamin D metabolism, lung cancer
or lung infections, rickets, magnesium depletion.
How Beryllium
affects health:
Chronic Beryllium
Disease (CBD)- A treatable
but not curable disease primarily in the lungs. CBD can cause a persistent
cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest and joint pain, blood in
sputum, loss of appetite, rapid heart rate, fevers and night sweats.
Cadmium
Sources: Tap
water, fungicides, marijuana, processed meat, rubber, seafood (cod,
haddock, oyster, tuna), sewage, tobacco, colas (especially from vending
machines), tools, welding material, evaporated milk, airborne industrial
contaminants, batteries, instant coffee, incineration of
tires/rubber/plastic, refined grains, soft water, galvanized pipes, dental
alloys, candy, ceramics, electroplating fertilizers, paints, motor oil and
motor exhaust.
Symptoms and
DIseases: Alopecia, anemia, arthritis, cancer, lung disease, cerebral
hemorrhage, cirrhosis of the liver, enlarged heart, diabetes, emphysema,
hypoglycemia, hypertension, impotence, infertility, kidney disease,
learning disorders, migraines, inflammation, renal disease, osteoporosis,
schizophrenia, strokes, vascular disease, high cholesterol, growth is
impaired, cardiovascular disease,
How Cadmium affects
health:
Energy-
Cadmium inhibits essential enzymes in the Krebs energy cycle.
Nervous system-
Cadmium directly damages nerve cells. It inhibits the release of
acetylcholine and activates cholinesterase, resulting in a tendency for
hyperactivity of the nervous system.
Bones and Joints-
by altering calcium and phosphorus metabolism, a toxic level of cadmium
can contribute to arthritis, osteoporosis, and neuromuscular diseases.
Cardiovascular
system- Cadmium replaces
zinc in the arteries, which contributes to arteries being brittle and
inflexible.
Excretory system-
Cadmium accumulates in the kidneys, resulting in high blood pressure and
kidney disease.
Dental-
Cadmium toxicity can alter calcium and vitamin D activity, resulting in
cavities and tooth deformities.
Copper
Sources:
Copper cookware, copper pipes, dental alloys, fungicides, ice makers,
industrial emissions, swimming pools, shellfish, perch, bluefish, lobster,
walnuts, almonds, soybeans, wheat germ, yeast, beer, chocolate, corn oil,
gelatin, liver, lamb, mushrooms, avocado, birth control pills.
Symptoms and
DIseases: Acne, allergies, alopecia, insomnia, nausea, spaciness,
tooth decay, strokes, PMS, yeast infections, urinary tract infections,
mood swings, kidney disorders, depression, cystic fibrosis, arthritis,
anxiety, anorexia, multiple sclerosis, inflammation, pancreatic
dysfunction, vitamin deficiencies, paranoia, migraines, libido decreased,
nervousness, osteoporosis, senility, stuttering, phobias, diabetes,
autism, estrogen dominance.
How Copper affects
health:
Nervous System:
Copper buildup can result in a tendency for hyperactivity in autistic
children. It can cause stuttering, insomnia, and hypertension.
Skin:
An excess of copper can cause oily skin, loss of skin tone (due to its
ability to block vitamin c), and can cause a dark pigmentation of the
skin, usually around the face.
Hair and Nails:
Copper can cause nails to be brittle and thin. It can contribute to hair
loss, especially in women.
Iron
Sources: Iron
cookware, iron pipes, drinking water, welding, shellfish, soybeans, liver,
kidneys, beef, nuts, legumes, sunflower seeds, bran, bone meal, wheat
germ, whole grain, molasses, yeast.
Symptoms and
DIseases: Anger and other emotional disorders, birth defects,
constipation, diabetes, insomnia, high blood pressure, arthritis, cancer,
cirrhosis of the liver, schizophrenia, myasthenia gravis, nausea, pancreas
damage, headaches, Parkinson’s disease, scurvy, shortness of breath,
hepatitis, dizziness, heart failure.
How Iron affects
health:
Hemochromatosis
(iron overload)- A disease
with the ability to be passed on hereditarily or acquired. It can cause
hair loss and skin discoloration. It can increase the possibility for
stroke and memory loss. Serious heart problems can erupt from
hemochromatosis by clinging on to the arteries and in time causing them to
become blocked, and also damaging the electrical nerves causing an
irregular heart beat. The liver may also become enlarged and lead to
cirrhosis. Hemochromatosis also messes with the digestive system, in that
bleeding ulcers may develop. Severe arthritis can also develop because an
iron overload causes a precipitation of calcium pyrophosphates in the
joint spaces, the cartilage of the joint and the surrounding tissues of
the joint. As if that weren’t enough, the susceptibility to infections is
significantly increased.
Lead
Sources: Ash,
auto exhaust, cigarette smoke, coal combustion, colored inks, pesticides,
rainwater, food cans with lead solder sealing, toothpaste, wine,
manufacturing batteries, cosmetics, hair dyes, lead pipes, liver, glazed
ceramics, pencils, lead-based paint, industrial emissions.
Symptoms and
DIseases: Abdominal pain, ADD, adrenal insufficiency, allergies,
anemia, anxiety, arthritis, blindness, cardiovascular disease, autism,
colic, constipation, convulsions, depression, dyslexia, epilepsy, fatigue,
gout, hallucinations, headaches, hostility, hyperactivity, hypertension,
hypothyroidism, impotence, liver dysfunction, hyperkinesis, mental
retardation, mood swings, menstrual problems, muscular dystrophy, multiple
sclerosis, nephritis, nightmares, nausea, numbness, Parkinson’s disease,
poor concentration, psychosis, renal dysfunction, restlessness,
schizophrenia, seizures, stillbirths, SIDS, tooth decay, vertigo, weight
loss.
How Lead affects
Health:
Bones-
Instead of calcium, lead is incorporated into bone.
Brain-
Lead can inhibit copper-dependent enzymes needed for neurotransmitters,
causing hyperactivity.
Energy-
Fatigue is triggered by increasing rate of destruction of red blood cells.
Also, lead inhibits copper and iron-dependent enzymes in the Krebs cycle.
Kidneys-
Gout can occur from lead toxicity raising uric acid levels and impairing
kidney functions.
Minerals-
Lead inhibits calcium, zinc, manganese, copper, and iron causing
deficiencies.
Thyroid gland-
Lead can inactivate the thyroid hormone thyroxin because it interferes
with the iodine uptake to the thyroid gland.
Mercury
Sources:
Dental amalgam, tunafish, swordfish, felt, algaecides, floor waxes,
adhesives, fabric softeners, chlorine production, contact lens solution,
preparation H, diuretics, Mercurochrome, Merthiolate, childhood vaccines.
Symptoms and
DIseases: Adrenal gland dysfunction, anorexia, birth defects, brain
damage, depression, dermatitis, dizziness, fatigue, hearing loss,
hyperactivity, insomnia, kidney damage, memory loss, migraines, mood
swings, nervousness, pain in limbs, skin rashes, schizophrenia, thyroid
dysfunction, peripheral vision loss
How Mercury affects
health:
Kidneys-
mercury accumulates in the kidneys causing kidney damage
Energy-
mercury compounds inhibit the enzyme ATPase, which impairs energy
production in all body cells.
Nervous system-
degeneration of nerve fibers and reduced motor conduction speed.
Nickel
Sources:
Peanut butter, hydrogenated vegetable oils, margarine, imitation whip
creams, kelp, oysters, herring, nickel plating, cigarette smoking, tea,
batteries, wire and electrical parts.
Symptoms and
DIseases: Hemorrhages, malaise, low blood pressure, kidney
dysfunction, nausea, vomiting, heart attack, oral cancer, intestinal
cancer.
How Nickel affects
health:
Kidneys-
nickel tends to accumulate in the
kidneys causing kidney damage
Hormone, lipid and
membrane metabolism- nickel
can play some physiological role related to these functions.
Skin-
A common ingredient in fashion jewelry is nickel which can cause allergic
reactions on some wearers. Eczema may develop and even asthma attacks.
Respiratory system-
a steady exposure to nickel
can cause cancer of the lungs and nasal sinus.
Tin
Sources: Tin
coated cans of fruits and vegetables, processed foods, industrial waste.
Symptoms and DIseases: Headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal
cramping, abdominal bloating, nausea, fever, hyperglycemia, vision
changes, liver pain, ataxia.
How Tin affects
health:
Brain-
tin accumulates in the brain and can cause brain damage and headaches.
Liver-
tin accumulates in the liver and can cause liver damage and liver pain.
Digestive system-
tin irritates the gastrointestinal tract and cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Testing for Heavy
Metals
When heavy metal
toxicity is suspected, a good screening test is a hair analysis.
Scientists have been evaluating hair specimens for types of metals and
concentration as early as 1931. A hair analysis acts as a timeline for
exposure to various elements. It is a safe and non-invasive way to collect
tissue and will help a doctor treat the underlying problem more
efficiently.
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