Today, whether to a greater or lesser degree, most of us are contaminated with heavy metals – some seriously, some don’t even know it . It is an issue that simply does not cross our minds, and everyday physicians are often not alert to the possibility of exposure to heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium.
In fact, the chronic build-up of toxic pollutants that may fall short of classic “acute toxicity” receives very little attention, although it can nonetheless contribute to significant adverse health effects.
Heavy metals affect internal organs
On the other hand, acute toxicity – which is most often the consequence of occupational exposure – tends to be recognized and diagnosed correctly, and then to be treated.
Acute toxicities arise from sudden exposures to substantial amounts of some metals, and these toxins generally affect multiple organs and systems; commonly the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, brain and nervous system, endocrine system, kidneys, hair and nails.
Unfortunately, chronic heavy metal toxicity that builds up over longer periods of time often presents with symptoms similar to many other chronic health problems, therefore it cannot be immediately recognized or accurately diagnosed by clinicians. Health.
Heavy metals in cosmetics
The chronic toxicities appear as conditions that develop during prolonged periods of exposure to relatively low concentrations, for example via conventional cosmetics.
Increased risk of cancer is a common feature of chronic exposure to certain metals. The exact mechanism of its carcinogenicity is not fully understood, although it causes extensive DNA damage causing problems such as altering gene function, interfering with innate DNA repair systems, disrupting gene expression, and deregulating cellular functions. .
Heavy metals act as free radicals in the body
Inside the body, heavy metals act as free radicals, causing cell damage. This results in rapid aging and depletes the body’s natural abilities to heal itself, exacerbating the disease. Heavy metals slowly accumulate in the kidneys, liver, pancreas, bones, central nervous system and brain where health is degraded without being noticed or diagnosed.
Other diseases that are caused by heavy metals
Other symptoms of heavy metal toxicity are, for example:
- Skin diseases;
- Intellectual disability in children;
- The dementia in adults ;
- Central nervous system (CNS) damage;
- Organ degeneration: kidney (renal) liver (hepatic) diseases;
- Insomnia, personality changes, emotional instability, depression, panic attacks, memory loss;
- Headaches;
- Vision disturbances;
- Peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome ;
- Acidity of the blood or acidosis;
- Lack of coordination (ataxia);
- Hardening of the arteries;
- Encephalopathy or cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Heavy metals that are not harmful to the body
Not all metals are toxic and in fact in trace amounts, some are essential for human biochemical processes. For example, zinc is an important cofactor for various enzymatic reactions in the human body, vitamin B-12 has a cobalt atom in its nucleus, and hemoglobin contains iron.
Likewise, copper, manganese, selenium, chromium, and molybdenum are all trace elements, which are important in the human diet. Although these metals are essential for the functions of the body, the accumulation of certain amounts of traces can have detrimental effects, since the normal mechanisms of detoxification and elimination can be affected.
Heavy metal detox
Therefore, heavy metal poisoning means the accumulation of metals in the body in trace amounts. The most common examples of metals that are toxic in any amount are mercury , lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
You should carefully read the labels of the products you buy, although it is recommended that you always buy products that are friendly to the environment and organic food .
Among the daily products we consume that may be contaminated are shellfish, fish, white and red meats, cosmetics, mercury amalgams, canned goods, non-organic natural foods sprayed with pesticides, water, etc.
Unfortunately we are talking about the fact that almost everything we consume is contaminated, so it is essential to be informed and act accordingly. Fortunately, there are ways that we can weigh that pollution within our body and detoxify it.
- The chelation therapy is the most common treatment in terms of acute poisoning, but it comes with a smorgasbord of health effects and secondary harmful.
- The risk of metal toxicity can be reduced through lifestyle choices that decrease the likelihood of absorption of harmful heavy metals, such as dietary measures that promote daily detoxification. Ensuring that the body’s natural metabolic processes are strong will further help to naturally excrete heavy metals.
- Heavy metal detox has strong anti-aging and health-enhancing benefits, and daily detox is a safe way to support your body in removing pollutants naturally.
- Add antioxidants and zeolite to your daily routine and remove heavy metals from the body, helping to maintain a healthy metabolism. Coriander has also been proven to help detox heavy metals, read this article: Coriander is a heavy metal detoxifier .