Heavy metal toxicity is a common health concern. Metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and aluminum can accumulate in the body over time and cause various health problems. The good news is that certain vitamins and supplements can help remove these harmful metals from the body. In this article, we will explore the most effective vitamins and supplements for removing heavy metals.
How Do Heavy Metals Get Into The Body?
There are several ways heavy metals can build up in the human body:
– Environmental exposure – Contaminated air, water, soil, food, etc. This is the most common cause of heavy metal toxicity. Sources include lead paint, contaminated fish, polluted drinking water, emissions from industrial plants, etc.
– Occupational exposure – Jobs that involve working with metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, etc. Examples include workers in mining, smelting, welding, etc.
– Dental work – Metals like mercury and nickel are commonly used in dental fillings, crowns, implants, etc. These metals can leach from dental work into the body.
– Medications and supplements – Certain prescription drugs and supplements may contain traces of heavy metals. Long-term use can cause buildup.
– Food and water pipes – Lead and other metals in old plumbing and pipes can leach into drinking water and contaminate food during cooking.
Symptoms of Heavy Metal Toxicity
Heavy metals are toxic because they displace essential minerals in enzymes and cause oxidative damage. This disrupts many bodily processes and can lead to a variety of generalized symptoms including:
– Fatigue, lack of energy
– Cognitive problems like brain fog and poor memory
– Headaches and migraines
– Digestive issues like nausea, constipation, cramps
– Nerve damage leading to numbness and tingling
– High blood pressure and cholesterol
– Insomnia and trouble sleeping
– Anxiety, irritability, depression
– Weakened immune system
Each metal also causes some unique symptoms. For example, lead toxicity can cause anemia, kidney damage, reproductive issues, and seizures. Mercury poisoning leads to tremors, mood swings, hearing and speech problems. Cadmium mainly damages the kidneys, bones, and respiratory system.Chelation Therapy for Removing Metals
Chelation therapy is a medical procedure that utilizes special binding chemicals called chelators that grab onto metals and remove them from the body through urination and feces.
Some of the common chelating agents prescribed by doctors include:
EDTA (Calcium Disodium Versenate)
EDTA binds with lead, mercury, aluminum, and cadmium. It was first introduced as a synthetic amino acid to treat lead poisoning. It pulls metals out of soft tissues and bones.
EDTA chelation therapy involves getting an intravenous infusion or taking oral EDTA supplements to gradually remove heavy metals over time. Treatment programs can last several months.
DMSA (Meso-2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid)
DMSA is FDA approved to treat lead poisoning in children. It binds to lead, mercury, arsenic, and other metals. It is taken orally in pill form or given intravenously.
Compared to EDTA, DMSA is better at crossing the blood-brain barrier to pull metals out of the brain and central nervous system. It also increases urinary excretion of heavy metals within hours of the first few doses.
DMPS (2,3-Dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic Acid)
DMPS has a similar mechanism to DMSA for binding and removing heavy metals via urine. However, it has some key differences.
DMPS is more selective for pulling out mercury, whereas DMSA binds better with lead and arsenic. DMPS also mobilizes more metals from tissues versus blood. Another perk is that it enters cells more readily than DMSA.
DMPS chelation can be done orally or intravenously. The IV method achieves faster results. DMPS also causes fewer mineral imbalances than DMSA, but detox symptoms may be more intense.
ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid)
ALA is an antioxidant naturally produced in the body. It prevents cell damage from metals by reducing oxidative stress.
ALA also has mild chelating benefits – it prevents heavy metals from embedding in tissues and cells. Research shows ALA can reduce levels of mercury, arsenic, iron, and cadmium.
The typical dose for ALA chelation therapy is 600-1,200 mg daily. It can be taken orally in capsule form. ALA has an excellent safety profile with minimal side effects.
Natural Supplements that Remove Heavy Metals
There are also some highly effective herbs, foods, vitamins, and antioxidants that have been clinically proven to help remove heavy metals from the body. Natural detoxification therapies should be used under supervision of a health practitioner.
Chlorella
Chlorella is a type of green algae that grows in fresh water. It has excellent binding activity with metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and uranium. It works by preventing absorption of heavy metals in the GI tract and increasing their excretion.
Studies show that taking chlorella daily can reduce mercury levels. The typical therapeutic dose is 1-2 grams per day. Chlorella has a very good safety profile.
Spirulina
This blue-green algae is another chlorophyll-rich supplement proven to bind to heavy metals. Animal studies confirm that spirulina can speed up removal of lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury from the body.
Spirulina provides the added benefits of boosting immunity, flushing toxins, and supplying nutrients that are protective against heavy metals. The standard dose is 1-5 grams per day.
Coriander
Coriander, also known as cilantro, is an herb that holds promise for removing toxic metals. Studies show daily use of coriander can decrease lead levels in blood and tissues. Compounds in coriander bind to metals and facilitate their excretion.
One study found that coriander accelerated the elimination of mercury, lead, and aluminum from the body. Taking coriander in capsules or tincture form optimizes heavy metal removal.
Garlic
Garlic is a potent medicinal food with sulfur-containing compounds that have chelating effects. Studies confirm that garlic can provide protection against several toxic metals.
Researchers found garlic reduced lead concentrations in blood by an average of 19%. Other trials show evidence it lowers cadmium, nickel, and chromium levels. Raw garlic has the most powerful detox effects.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is an herb valued for its ability to detoxify heavy metals, particularly mercury. Silymarin, the main active compound in milk thistle, prevents metals from penetrating cell membranes and damaging DNA.
Human research indicates that taking silymarin reduces mercury levels in red blood cells, urine, and breast milk in individuals exposed to mercury. The typical dosage is 140 mg of silymarin up to 3 times daily.
Probiotics
Probiotics like lactobacillus and saccharomyces have been found to bind and trap various toxic metals. Metals can accumulate in the body when gut microbiota is imbalanced. Probiotics assist with digestion, pH balance, and microflora – helping draw out metals.
Studies show certain strains of probiotics reduce arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium levels in people at high risk of metal exposure. Most scientific evidence supports Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Saccharomyces boulardii.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral that functions as an antioxidant. It guards against metal toxicity by blocking absorption in the GI tract. Zinc also assists metallothionein proteins that capture metals.
Research confirms zinc supplementation minimizes accumulation of cadmium, lead, and aluminum. Zinc protects the kidneys, liver, and other organs from heavy metal damage. The RDA for zinc is 8-11 mg daily for most adults.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a co-factor required for the activity of glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant. It helps attach to metals and remove them via urine and stool.
Studies demonstrate that magnesium supplementation increases the excretion of lead and cadmium. Magnesium also protects the kidneys and brain from metal toxicity. The RDA is 310-320 mg per day for women and 400-420 for men.
Selenium
Selenium is a trace mineral that boosts antioxidants and binds to mercury, cadmium, silver, and thallium. It is a key nutrient that forces cells to expel mercury and guards against mercury reabsorption.
Brazil nuts are the highest food source of selenium. Just one nut provides around 100 mcg – double the daily requirement. Selenium yeast is another popular supplement form. The RDA for selenium is 55 mcg.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful detoxifier that reduces oxidative damage from metals. It works synergistically with other antioxidants like glutathione to cleanse tissues of toxins. Vitamin C also supports cellular absorption of selenium and zinc.
Research demonstrates that vitamin C lowers blood lead levels and reduces aluminum accumumation in the brain. The optimal daily vitamin C intake is at least 500 mg per day from supplements and citrus fruits.
| Supplement | Metals Removed | Mechanism | Dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorella | Mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic | Chelation, prevents absorption | 1-2 grams daily |
| Spirulina | Lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium | Chelation, antioxidant effects | 1-5 grams daily |
| Coriander | Lead, mercury, aluminum | Chelation, enhances excretion | As directed |
| Garlic | Lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium | Chelation, antioxidant effects | 2-4 cloves daily |
| Milk Thistle | Mercury | Antioxidant – binds to metals | 140 mg silymarin up to 3 times daily |
| Probiotics | Arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium | Trap metals, improve gut health | 10+ billion CFU daily |
| Zinc | Cadmium, lead, aluminum | Antioxidant, prevents absorption | 8-11 mg daily |
| Magnesium | Lead, cadmium | Cofactor for glutathione | 310-420 mg daily |
| Selenium | Mercury, cadmium, silver, thallium | Binds to metals, antioxidant | 55 mcg daily |
| Vitamin C | Lead, aluminum | Antioxidant, detoxification | 500+ mg daily |
Lifestyle Changes to Aid Detox
While chelation and natural supplements can help remove accumulated metals, making certain lifestyle changes is also very beneficial:
Avoid Environmental Exposures
Limit exposure to known sources of heavy metals like lead paint, contaminated industrial areas, hazardous waste sites, etc. Use water filters to remove metals from drinking and cooking water. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
Eat Antioxidant Foods
Consume abundant antioxidants from fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts, seeds, beans, etc. These help counter the damaging effects of metals. Great options include berries, leafy greens, cruciferous veggies, citrus, cilantro, turmeric, garlic, brazil nuts, etc.
Take Mineral Supplements
Ensure adequate zinc, selenium, magnesium, calcium, and iron intake to replace essential minerals displaced by heavy metals. Taking mineral supplements helps mitigate toxicity.
Manage Stress
Chronic stress increases inflammation and oxidative damage from metals. Adopt relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, deep breathing, massage, etc. Getting good sleep and managing emotional health helps too.
Exercise and Sweat
Engaging in regular aerobic activity and inducing sweat helps the body remove toxins. Infrared saunas also help flush out heavy metals through sweat.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Stay well hydrated with purified water, herbal tea, vegetables juices, bone broths, etc. to flush out metals through urine. Opt for clean natural beverages over soda, alcohol and sugary drinks.
Conclusion
Heavy metal toxicity is an insidious health problem but one that can be successfully treated with the right interventions. Chelation therapy performed under medical guidance can actively bind and pull out accumulated toxic metals from the body. Certain natural supplements like chlorella, garlic, zinc, and vitamin C also have metal-binding and antioxidant benefits that facilitate detoxification. Adopting a clean diet, managing stress, exercising, sweating, and drinking fluids optimizes the body’s ability to excrete heavy metals. With a synergistic approach of chelation therapy, strategic supplementation, and healthy lifestyle habits, individuals suffering from metal toxicity can achieve full recovery and restored wellbeing.