Heavy Metal Toxicity: Sources, Signs & Symptoms
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› Unlabelled › Heavy Metal Toxicity: Sources, Signs & Symptoms

Part 1 of 2. Heavy Metal Toxicity: Sources, Signs & Systems

Every single day we’re exposed to chemicals and toxins through the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink and bathe in. Over time, these toxic chemicals accumulate in our bodies.

Heavy metal pollutants such as aluminum, lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium can alter and damage cellular function and impair mental and physical health in adults and children. Heavy metals become toxic when they do not get metabolized by the body and end up accumulating in the soft tissue.

Not all metals are toxic though. Certain trace metals are required for optimal health and body balance, such as iron, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, lithium, manganese and molybdenum, but if there is an excess of any of these they become oxidative and toxic.

Many research studies in the U.S. and Europe have linked heavy metal toxicity such as lead, mercury and aluminum with a wide range of illnesses and health conditions that cause serious damage to the lungs, brain, heart, liver, kidney, bones, GI tract and reproductive systems. Metals can directly and indirectly damage our DNA and can contribute to any imaginable illness.

Signs, symptoms & conditions related to heavy metal toxicity

  • Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and all autoimmune diseases
  • Mood swings, depression, anxiety, schizophrenic-like behavior
  • Neurotransmitter dysfunction
  • Thyroid dysfunction. Elevated Reverse T3 can be indication of toxic metals
  • Adrenal insufficiency
  • Inflammatory brain conditions such as autism, Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Chronic infections (viral, dental, bacterial, Candida)
  • TMJ
  • ADD, lower IQ and learning problems
  • Anemia
  • Food allergies
  • Infertility and reproductive problems in both men and women
  • Genital malformation
  • Hypertension
  • Cancer
  • Brain fog, confusion, forgetfulness, memory loss, dementia
  • Hair loss or premature graying hair
  • Chronic muscle and tendon pain or any soft tissues of the body
  • Kidney and liver disease
  • Osteoporosis 
  • Dizziness
  • Insomnia
  • Digestive problems, IBS and gastrointestinal complaints
  • Migraines and headaches
  • Respiratory, lung and heart problems
  • Nervous system malfunctions: burning extremities, numbness, tingling
  • Premature aging
  • Visual disturbances

Heavy metal toxicity is connected with all sorts of health problems and diseases that many people think are related to just getting older. These are also diseases many doctors suggest managing with drugs. Medical schools have failed to educate doctors of the dangers of heavy metal toxicity. If you ask your doctor to test and rule out heavy metals because you feel a sense of deep heaviness, are tired, depressed or experience achy, sore or chronic joint pain for no reason, all too often the request is dismissed and instead you’ll probably get a prescription for an antidepressant.

Heavy metals build up in the body over time and present no discernible symptoms in the early stages. Toxic metal body burdens are neurotoxic meaning that these metals trigger an inflammatory response and oxidative stress causing adverse symptoms that affect the psycho, neuro, immune and endocrine systems.

The top three heavy metals that are most harmful to our health include arsenic, lead and mercury, which was confirmed by The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) when they compiled a list of the "Top 20 Hazardous Substances."

According to a Brown University study, researchers found that nearly 23 percent of American women of childbearing age met or exceeded levels for all three environmental chemical pollutants (lead, mercury, and PCBs), and 56 percent of the women exceeded the median for two or more of the three pollutants. All but 17.3 percent of the women aged 16 to 49 were at or above the level for one or more of these toxic chemicals that are passed to fetuses through the placenta and to babies through breast milk.

Aging is one of the most prominent risk factor associated with increased odds of having higher levels of lead, mercury and PCBs. As we grow older, the risk of exceeding the level in two or more of these pollutants increases. Individuals age 30-39 have 12x risk, and those 40-49 have 30x the risk because these chemicals accumulate in the body over time as well as individuals that were born in the 1950s and 1960s since this was before most environmental protection laws were enacted.

Aside from aging, eating fish, vaccine exposure, heavy alcohol consumption, various occupations, and other lifestyle factors also increase the risk of having higher levels of toxic metals.

Certain occupations are more susceptible to increased risk of toxic metal body burdens. Some of these include plumbers, construction and refinery workers, hairdressers, dentists, lithographers, farmers, painters, auto body paint and radiator repair, miners, welders, fertilizer and pesticide manufacturers. 

Heavy Metal Sources

        * Amalgams (silver fillings) * Vaccines and flu shots
        * Contaminated fish (especially tuna, shark, swordfish) * Tattoo dyes
        * Lipstick and cosmetics * Paint, plastics & enamels
        * Many Rx and OTC drugs including antacids * Baby formula and breast milk
        * Foods sprayed with fertilizers and pesticides * Some protein powders
        * Industrial exposure from coal burning * The water supply
        * Household cleaning products * HFCS and processed foods.
        * Foods cooked in aluminum cookware or foil * Some chocolate (high in lead)
        * Metal stints inserted in a surgical procedure * Dust, exhaust and pollution
        * Non-organic and GMO foods * Hair dyes
        * Grains, candy, soda & baked goods * Heavy alcohol consumption
        * Deodorants and personal care products * Cigarettes
        * Costume jewelry, batteries, ceramics * Electronics, lamps & light bulbs

According to Ellen Silbergeld, Ph.D., a professor at John Hopkins University even low amounts of heavy metals can be harmful.

  • There are no safe levels of lead. Brain development is impaired in fetuses and infants exposed to lead. Lead toxicity, even low levels reduces a child’s IQ. For every 17mcgs of lead in the body, IQ is reduced by 10 points! (Richard L. Canfield, Ph.D. New England Journal of Medicine 2002).
  • Lead toxicity has been linked with brain cancer and brain issues because it readily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
  • Aluminum is the most abundantly found toxic metal in the Alzheimer brain. It is also highly implicated in Parkinson’s and Lou Gehrig’s.
  • Mercury is one of the most toxic heavy metals and very damaging to the cells and organs. It is particularly destructive to the brain, liver and kidney.
  • Arsenic and cadmium pose health threats as well.

According to Jonathan Wright, M.D., our cell, tissue and organ function are impaired anywhere toxic metals are deposited. In addition to causing direct damage, the toxic metals also cause damage by displacing nutritional minerals in key positions in cellular function, which results in slowing down or stopping these functions altogether.

It is not possible to completely avoid exposure to toxic metals (Singh 2011), but one can minimize exposure with healthy eating and a healthful lifestyle. Even those who are not occupationally exposed carry certain metals in their body as a result of exposure from other sources, such as food, beverages or air (Washam 2011; Satarug 2010). However, it is possible to reduce metal toxicity risk through dietary and lifestyle choices that diminish the probability of harmful heavy metal uptake and promote the safe metabolism or excretion of ingested heavy metals (Peraza 1998). 

Part 2 of this article will cover dietary and lifestyle preventative measures to reduce the risk of heavy metal toxicity and safe, effective methods to detox heavy metals.

Heavy Metal Testing. Blood tests do not accurately measure the accumulation of lead, mercury or other heavy metals at the level of organs and tissues and are pretty worthless for detecting heavy metal toxicity. Hair tests only partially detect metals, unless it is a hair tissue biopsy test.

A simple urine test and a provoking, chelating agent that binds to heavy metals will accurately detect total body load.

In 2005, my test results indicated extremely high levels of lead. In part 2 of this article, I share the tips I personally followed to detox the high levels of lead from my body.

Be smart. Rule out toxic heavy metals with an inexpensive test. Contact my office to order your kit today.

Don’t forget to click “Like” at the top of this article and share this valuable information with your friends, family and loved ones. Thank you!

Star Part 2 ►Dietary and Lifestyle Preventative Measures to Reduce Heavy Metal Exposure + Safe and Effective Methods to Detox Heavy Metals

As a holistic nutritionist and functional health practitioner, my philosophy is to identify the root cause of any underlying health issues, slowly "peel away the layers of the onion," and design a healing protocol and comprehensive LIFESTYLE plan specific to your unique biochemistry so you can heal, experience vibrant health, balanced hormones and look, think and feel better than ever for a lifetime. I consult with men and women around the world and with clients locally in the Phoenix area. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation!

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