Heavy metals are ubiquitous in our environment. Their absorption and accumulation in our bodies can have harmful consequences for our health. Heavy metal detoxification is one way to promote their elimination.
In this article, we will explore the main heavy metals present in our daily lives, their harmful effects on our bodies, and ways to detoxify ourselves from them.
What are heavy metals?
Heavy metals are metallic elements with a high density greater than 5g/cm³. While they occur naturally in the environment, they tend to accumulate in the air, water and soil due to human activities such as industry, agriculture, and the use of fossil fuels.
Heavy metals can be classified into two categories:
- Essential metals, also called trace elements, such as iron, copper and zinc: they are non-toxic in small doses and necessary for our body. However, at high concentrations, they can become toxic.
- Non-essential metals, such as aluminum, lead, mercury and cadmium: they do not have an essential biological role in the human body, and their toxicity occurs at relatively low concentrations.
The main heavy metals in our environment
The accumulation of heavy metals in our environment is primarily a result of our industrial activities. They are most often dispersed in the air in the form of fine particles that we inhale or ingest through our food and drinking water.
Here are the main heavy metals and their harmful effects:
Arsenic: It is used in tanning, in the treatment of leather and hides, as a pigment in some paints, but also in certain pesticides and in gun cartridges. It acts as an endocrine disruptor and has carcinogenic properties. Arsenic poisoning can cause severe digestive problems (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain), convulsions, and bouts of delirium.
Cadmium: Produced by agriculture, cadmium is found in fertilizers and sewage sludge. It is also produced by our combustion activities (burning petroleum products and coal, incinerating household waste, and steelmaking), and is used in cigarettes and batteries. Toxic even in small doses, it contributes to skeletal problems by interacting with calcium (bone porosity, fractures), as well as lung and kidney problems, and increases the risk of cancer.
Mercury: Released into the water by our industrial activities, it is found in our food chain (predatory fish, crustaceans, shellfish). It is also used in dental amalgams. In vapor form, it is toxic to the respiratory system, while in dissolved form, it contributes to neurological, renal, and endocrine disorders.
Lead: Found in old paints, lead pipes, and some toys, lead can cause neurological problems and affect children's development. Lead poisoning, also known as saturnism, is dangerous to health and can cause reversible problems (digestive issues, anemia), but more importantly, irreversible damage to the nervous system.
The risks of heavy metals to our health
Ingestion, inhalation, skin contact: our exposure to heavy metals is daily and significant. The harmful effects of heavy metals vary depending on the type of metal, the dose, the duration of exposure, and individual sensitivity.
Overall, heavy metals are the cause of various disorders that can lead to serious health problems.
Oxidative stress: the cause of premature aging.
Chronic inflammation: the cause of cardiovascular disease, arthritis and other health problems.
Disorders of the nervous system: including cognitive impairment, memory problems, and behavioral changes.
Hormonal disturbances: with damage to the endocrine system, hormonal dysfunctions and fertility problems.
Their accumulation in organs: such as the liver, brain and kidneys, and with, in the long term, the risk of significant dysfunctions.
Heavy metal detoxification, or how to eliminate them?
While heavy metal poisoning requires medical treatment (via the chelation process where a chelating agent binds the unwanted metal and thus facilitates its elimination), it is nevertheless possible to limit the daily accumulation of heavy metals in the body.
Here are some best practices:
Avoiding exposure: It is possible to reduce our exposure to heavy metals by quitting smoking, favouring stainless steel kitchen utensils, choosing personal care products without aluminium, or limiting the consumption of foods that are sources of heavy metals (fish, shellfish).
A diet rich in antioxidants: antioxidants are beneficial for neutralizing free radicals generated by heavy metals. Prioritize fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, preferably organically grown and free from pesticides that are a source of heavy metals.
Supplementation with detoxifying foods: among them, we can mention chlorella, the
Spirulina, garlic, kale, spinach, turmeric, and ginger are all foods capable of binding traces of heavy metals in our bodies and promoting their elimination through the liver's detoxification process.
Hydration: Drinking enough water promotes the elimination of toxins, including heavy metals, through urine.
Overall, the liver provides our body with an effective means of daily detoxification from heavy metals. We can further support our liver and our entire body by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, including dietary changes, consuming detoxifying compounds, and reducing our environmental exposure.
In the event of massive heavy metal poisoning, however, it is imperative to consult a doctor urgently.
