Explore comprehensive strategies for detoxification from heavy metals, pesticides, metabolic waste, and various pollutants. Learn about natural and safe methods to cleanse your body from these harmful substances. Expert insights and guidance for a thorough detoxification process.
Detoxification from Heavy Metals
If you constantly feel down, tired, irritable, or struggle to lose excess weight, chances are you may be suffering from the onslaught of environmental toxins that greedy monopolistic corporations have saturated the air, water, and soil with. Even if you’re not sure whether you’re burdened by toxins, you’re not immune to the consequences of environmental pollution from oil, chemicals, or even radiation. Everyday items like shampoo or carpet cleaner contain thousands of chemicals that can be lethal in large quantities.
Every day, unknowingly, we are exposed to toxins, including arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium.
According to a 2017 study, “the toxic effects resulting from persistent contamination by heavy metals pose a serious threat to all forms of life in the environment.” Over the last century, people have started using heavy metals and other toxins on an industrial scale. This has led to their presence in our water, food, air, and even homes. Once inside the body, heavy metals accumulate in tissues and organs, which can lead to health problems.
To some extent, heavy metals are present in the body of every person. It is impossible to completely avoid them. However, we can try to reduce their impact and increase the elimination of heavy metals through diet, sensible eating, and conscious lifestyle changes.
A hundred years ago, cancer was a rare disease in the United States, Russia, Japan, and China. Now, cancer has become the leading cause of death worldwide. There is evidence that heavy metals have a certain influence on the increasing incidence of cancer. For example, a 2006 study showed a correlation between arsenic exposure and bladder cancer development. According to a 2013 study, the growing impact of heavy metals has become a serious problem in Africa as well.
In the early 20th century, cancer affected 3% of the population in the United States. In 1950, cancer was diagnosed in 20% of Americans. By 2000, this figure had risen to 38%. According to doctors’ predictions, by 2020, life-threatening cancer will be diagnosed in every second person at some point in their life.
Governments of many countries are striving to minimize the impact of heavy metals. Efforts are being made to tighten environmental standards and legislation regarding environmental pollution. We should also do everything possible not only to avoid the influence of heavy metals but also to optimize the body’s natural detoxification mechanisms. The human body has an innate ability to self-cleanse.
Symptoms of Toxic Substance Exposure
The influence of heavy metals on the body is diverse. Symptoms can be minor or absent altogether, or they can be serious. We are all subject to the influence of heavy metals, and the goal should be to identify, minimize, and remove them from the body using a balanced approach.
Possible symptoms of acute and chronic heavy metal poisoning include:
- Chronic cough
- Chronic fatigue
- Cognitive impairment/confusion
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Frequent infections due to weakened immune system
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Postnasal congestion/mucus secretion
- Shortness of breath
Avoiding Contact with Toxins
In his book “The Toxin Solution,” published in 2017, Dr. Joseph Pizzorno writes the following: “The average person is constantly exposed to benzene and chemicals [as well as heavy metals] from toxins in foods laden with ‘chemicals,’ paints, printing inks, flame retardants, refrigerants, and Scotchgard-treated clothing…”. There is little that can be done to completely avoid contact with these substances.
The first step is to pay careful attention to the food we eat and the environment we live in. It is important to take all possible measures to reduce or prevent the negative impact of heavy metals and chemicals. There is an expression: the difference between poison and medicine lies in the dosage. This statement is also true for non-pharmacological chemicals we are exposed to. It is understood that completely avoiding harmful exposure is likely impossible, but reducing the dose itself can contribute to strengthening one’s health.
Common heavy metal toxins include arsenic, often used in pesticide production. According to a report by Johns Hopkins, sources of contamination often include cigarettes, drinking water, and food, such as factory-farmed poultry. Accumulation of arsenic in the body is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes, fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, gastrointestinal disorders, mental disorders, appearance of white lines on nails (Mees lines), and skin irritation. In severe cases, arsenic can lead to cell poisoning and death.
Lead
Lead is a heavy metal. Its Latin name is “plumbum,” which is where the English word “plumber” comes from. Those at an increased risk include those who work in lead or battery manufacturing, welders, and solderers. I have a patient who was a professional shooter and made his own bullets. When we measured his blood lead level, it was elevated. Other sources of lead poisoning include lead pipes, contaminated soil, and tainted water. In Flint, Michigan, lead in the public water supply is a major problem, posing a threat to the health of local residents.
From the 1920s to the 1990s, many countries used gasoline containing lead. By 2011, most countries had banned the addition of lead to hydrocarbon raw materials. Paint produced in the United States before 1978 also contained lead. Children living in old buildings are at an increased risk of lead poisoning.
Studies confirm that lead can negatively affect the mental and physical development of children. Elevated lead levels in the blood are associated with a reduced intelligence quotient (IQ). Toxic effects include neuropathy, memory impairments, kidney diseases, a higher risk of cancer, and blood problems such as anemia.
Mercury
Mercury is widespread in the environment. Elevated mercury levels in the blood can cause or contribute to neurological symptoms such as memory loss and fine tremors. Additionally, mercury can increase the risk of developing chronic kidney diseases, hypertension, heart diseases, and many other symptoms and conditions.
Regular consumption of fish with high mercury content also poses a danger. Such fish include king mackerel, shark, yellowfin tuna, and marlin. When choosing fish (especially for pregnant women and children), it is better to opt for low-mercury fish (catfish, flounder, salmon, trout, herring, and sardines).
Many people also have silver fillings in their teeth, which are often made of mercury-silver amalgam. Mercury can be released into the bloodstream and in the form of “off-gassing.” To remove mercury fillings, consult a dentist specializing in mercury filling removal. Improper removal of fillings can expose you to a large amount of mercury, which can be very dangerous.
Cadmium
Cadmium is a heavy metal often present in household items such as batteries. Those at risk of cadmium poisoning include workers in battery manufacturing plants, makers of galvanized coatings, and consumers of fluorescent lamps. Smokers also inhale cadmium with every cigarette. Elevated cadmium levels increase the risk of osteopenia, osteoporosis, lung and kidney diseases. In acute poisoning, headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea may occur. Cadmium poisoning is also associated with difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation in the lungs.
Other heavy metals that can cause health problems include toxic forms of aluminum and chromium (not to be confused with the beneficial form of chromium picolinate).
How to Check
If you are concerned about the impact of heavy metals, consult a doctor. To check for dangerous levels of heavy metals in your body, blood, urine, and sometimes hair tests are conducted.
Body Detoxification
There are several measures you can take to cleanse your body and help eliminate heavy metals and toxins. These measures include:
Improving Diet
Fasting is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to eliminate toxins from the body. Simply abstaining from food for a specific period allows the body to remove unnecessary substances.
To avoid consuming various chemicals, try to eat (if possible) more organic fruits and vegetables, as well as hormone-free poultry and grass-fed beef. Avoid consuming fish with high mercury content more than once a week, especially for pregnant women and children.
Try to consume as few processed foods and products with high sugar content as possible. Avoid artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup, as both substances add extra strain to metabolism and detoxification pathways.
Normalizing Intestinal Function
The intestines are the primary route through which toxins enter the body. People suffering from gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic diarrhea, constipation, bloating, etc., often experience a pathological condition called leaky gut syndrome, which hinders the absorption of nutrients. Poor gut barrier leads to increased absorption of chemicals and heavy metal toxins. Normalizing intestinal function can be achieved with probiotics and prebiotics. Additionally, some individuals may benefit from avoiding common food allergens such as wheat, dairy products, or corn. Consuming large quantities of vegetables and fruits can also be beneficial.
Normalizing Liver Function
The liver is responsible for removing heavy metals and other toxins from the blood. To detoxify the blood, the liver performs numerous chemical reactions. Specific nutrients are required for this process. When attempting to detoxify the body, limit or avoid alcohol consumption.
Detox Supplements
Main Supplements
NAC (N-Acetylcysteine) – 500 mg twice a day for at least 8 weeks, then once a day Chlorella – 1-4 g per day Milk Thistle – 150-300 mg per day Spirulina – as indicated on the label Additional Support
Folic Acid – 800 mcg per day. Can be taken as a separate supplement or as part of a high-quality vitamin complex Selenium – 200 mcg per day. Can be taken as a separate supplement or as part of a high-quality vitamin complex Vitamin B12 – 2000 mcg per day. Can be taken as a separate supplement or as part of a high-quality vitamin complex Vitamin C – 500-2000 mg per day Zinc – 25 mg per day. Can be taken as a separate supplement or as part of a high-quality vitamin complex Normalizing Kidney Function
Kidneys are responsible for filtering blood and eliminating heavy metals, toxins, and metabolic waste. According to research, the following 15 foods and supplements can be beneficial for restoring optimal kidney function and detoxifying the body.
Beet juice Blueberries Turmeric (can be taken as a spice or in supplement form) Red bell peppers Cabbage Garlic (available in dried form or as a dietary supplement on iHerb) Red onions Leafy green cabbage Cauliflower Ginger (available in dried form or as a dietary supplement) Dark chocolate (75% cocoa or higher) Supplements that can contribute to normalizing kidney function and facilitate the detoxification process
L-arginine supplement, take as directed by the manufacturer Ginkgo Biloba, take as directed by the manufacturer Gotu Kola, 950 mg twice a day Multivitamins, take as indicated on the label
How to Rid Your Body of Heavy Metals?
The human body is a complex structure, capable of either overcoming the most severe illness independently or succumbing to what seems like a minor threat at first glance. One might wonder what danger can be posed by a few milligrams of cadmium or lead inside the body. Unfortunately, heavy metal poisoning is a very real threat. Read on to learn how to cleanse your body from toxins of this group.
Heavy Metals: Definition and Examples
The term “heavy metals,” despite its long history, does not have a clear definition. Depending on the criteria considered, the following can be classified as heavy metals:
- All metals with atomic masses greater than 51, such as vanadium (or, depending on the researcher’s preference, any other number, for example, 56, i.e., iron).
- All metals with a density greater than 0.008 kg/cm³ (in this case, iron is taken as the sample again).
- All metals meeting the previous conditions, excluding precious metals, ferrous metals, and so on.
In common usage, heavy metals are those that, upon entering the human body, cause specific negative reactions: from headaches and anemia to paralysis and death. The most dangerous heavy metals include:
- Mercury: Poisoning begins with apathy, decreased cognitive functions, irritability, and ends with systemic organ damage.
- Cadmium: Poisoning starts with loss of appetite and decreased sense of smell, ending in cadmiosis, accompanied by severe bone and joint pain.
- Zinc: Poisoning manifests as apathy, anemia, reduced hearing acuity, dizziness, and insomnia.
- Lead: Poisoning leads to disturbances in nervous activity, motor functions, and renal failure.
- Copper: Poisoning affects the liver and kidneys and, in advanced stages, can turn into a stomach ulcer.
- Cobalt: Poisoning affects the sensory organs (especially hearing) and eventually leads to cardiovascular system disorders.
- Arsenic: Poisoning is recognizable by stomach disturbances, followed by regular colic, skin and internal organ cancer.
Usually, heavy metals enter the body of an adult or a child not in their “metallic” form but as organic and inorganic salts. Toxins often accumulate gradually, sometimes over many years. Detecting poisoning in its early stages without laboratory analysis is impossible. “UkrHimAnalysis” conducts hair analysis to detect heavy metals, including the most dangerous ones listed above.
How to Remove Heavy Metals from the Body
It is not necessary or even advisable to completely and quickly rid the body of heavy metals. It is sufficient to reduce their levels to an acceptable level. There are several methods of body cleansing:
- Administration of antidotes: medications that remove specific toxins and entire groups of heavy metals (for example, “Unithiol”).
- Administration of sorbents: medications that “collect” toxins and naturally exit the body with them (for example, “Enterosgel”).
- Injections of diuretics (for example, “Torasemide”).
- Hemodialysis: blood purification using an “artificial kidney.”
- Consumption of products that promote blood and tissue detoxification: citrus fruits, seaweed, garlic, cranberries, rice, whey, kefir, and yogurt.
- Consumption of various herbal teas (preferably based on rose hips, sea buckthorn, or chamomile), oat and flaxseed decoctions.
- Physical activity that increases sweating and promotes overall body and blood health.
- For children: chelation therapy (removal of heavy metals from the body using specific organic compounds, such as dimercaptosuccinic acid), administration of antioxidants (such as alpha-lipoic acid), and melatonin to normalize sleep patterns.
24 methods to detoxify your body from these hazardous pollutants:
- Support your stomach and gallbladder by consuming beets. Beets are rich in iron, magnesium, zinc, and calcium, which help the body eliminate dangerous substances. They are also packed with vitamins B3, B6, C, and beta-carotene—essential nutrients needed for the production of bile acids by the liver and gallbladder, which aid in cleansing.
- Drink more purified water. Water is one of the most crucial self-purification methods on the planet. It helps every cell eliminate waste and enables our body to expel toxins through urine, the digestive system, and skin perspiration.
- Take baths with kaolin clay, considered the best method to detoxify the body from pesticides.
- Reduce meat and dairy consumption, as animal products often contain GMOs.
- Consume more pantothenic acid, a biologically active form of vitamin B5, which helps the body remove obstacles caused by pesticide consumption. When our bodies are overloaded with pesticides, they can no longer eliminate them on their own.
- Use activated charcoal. It’s completely safe to consume 20-30 grams daily with purified water. Activated charcoal binds pesticides and other toxins, then expels them through the digestive tract to cleanse the body. After taking charcoal, you can eat some molasses to replenish essential minerals that charcoal might have absorbed from your body during the detoxification process.
- Eat more citrus fruits. The pectins in citrus fruits are powerful cleansing agents, eliminating heavy metals while preserving essential microelements.
- Create an alkaline environment in your body by consuming more fruits and vegetables—this supports numerous detoxification pathways in the body.
- Consume more fiber. When we ingest fiber, our livers can more easily remove toxins from the body through the digestive system, alleviating a significant burden on the organ that constantly tries to rid our bodies of toxic substances. High-fiber foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, potatoes, and more.
- Eat more grapefruits, which contain naringenin—a special flavonoid that helps the liver burn fat instead of storing toxins in fat cells.
- Incorporate garlic into your diet to boost detoxification. It helps increase the number of white blood cells (lymphocytes), a crucial part of the immune system.
- Asparagus consumption can reduce pesticide levels in the body.
- Consuming eggs can also help eliminate toxins from the body and increase energy levels.
- Increasing vitamin C intake is beneficial for both your health and detoxification process. Research has shown that this vitamin can reduce radiation levels.
- Sassafras has been added to teas and infusions for centuries for effective blood purification. It also effectively treats liver, kidney, and skin disorders.
- Exercise and an active lifestyle are crucial if you want to prevent harmful impurities from entering your body. Just 30 minutes a day can enrich your liver and kidneys with oxygen, aiding in body cleansing.
- Our skin is the largest detoxification organ, covering about 6.7 square meters and renewing its cells every day. Dry brushing is an excellent method to help your skin detoxify through sweat and cleansing during showers. When your pores are clogged, your skin functions less efficiently. Brushing helps stimulate the lymphatic flow, assisting in toxin removal.
- Use spotted St. John’s wort. It provides significant support to your liver. For many years, this herb has aided human body detoxification, with some studies suggesting its potential to improve certain types of cancer, diabetes, and digestive disorders.
- Essiac tea supports body detoxification and has anti-cancer properties. It helps the body eliminate pesticides found in genetically modified products and plant sprays.
- Consume seaweed. Alginate, found in seaweed, assists in expelling toxins from the gastrointestinal tract, making it easier for the body to eliminate them. Additionally, the high mineral content aids in blood purification.
- Dandelion leaves and roots support detoxification thanks to their high antioxidant levels, helping reduce liver swelling.
- Include broccoli in your salads. It contains detoxifying compounds that are up to 20 times more potent in sprouts than in mature plants.
- Flaxseed and flaxseed oil support body detoxification due to their high fiber and Omega-3 content.
- Incorporate turmeric into your recipes. This root is often used to treat liver and gastrointestinal disorders and is excellent for body cleansing.