Metals in our environment consist of trace elements originally deriving from the earth's crust. They can be found in our food and water, and may be used to produce other everyday items such as kitchen appliances, timber products, home insulation bats and so on. Metals cannot be destroyed, and bio-accumulate (build up over time), more often than not being absorbed by our bodies through touch, breath, foods and water. As a result, many metabolic imbalances in the body are created, causing disease, poisoning and a host of chronic conditions that come to rise with the industrious 20th century. Some of these conditions may include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- Emotional disturbances
- Hyperactivity
- Learning disabilities in children
- Kidney problems
- Behavioral and mental changes
- Liver damage
- Immune system abnormalities
- Neurological problems
- Infertility
While there are many ways to detoxify and reduce the damage done by heavy metals, there are other ways we can avoid further poisoning.
How to Avoid Metals in Your Diet
Go organic
Avoid the heavy metals used in pesticides and other conventional forms of agriculture, processing and storage, and choose to buy organic fruit, vegetables and animal products.
Beware of the fishy fish
Most seafood products contain traces of methylmercury, which is a natural bi-product of the ocean's sediment as well as a result of human pollution. The fish listed below contain more mercury than others, and should be eaten sparingly by healthy individuals. Those trying to get pregnant, that are pregnant or with a chronic condition should avoid them altogether:
- Shark
- Ray
- Swordfish
- Barramundi
- Gemfish
- Ling
Algae-based supplements such as chlorella and spirulina are excellent detoxifiers as they are effective absorbers of heavy metals. However, unfortunately for the same reason, they may also be a source of contaminated heavy metals absorbed from the sea before packaging and should be used with caution. Cod liver and fish oil should also be checked for mercury content.
Fats
Forget your low-fat diet and include a moderate amount of animal fat in your meals. The fat will stimulate your gallbladder to excrete bile, carrying many unwanted heavy metals out of your system with it.
Other Food Tips
- A high daily dose of Vitamin C will help you clear any heavy metal toxicity.
- Avoid tap water at all costs and used a water filter at home.
- Choose a lighter coloured salt, such as celtic salt. Sea salt may contain larger than normal traces of heavy metals.
- Buy your fruit and vege in the shop, not from the stand on the street where the product is out for show, surrounded by lead laden petrol fumes.
In the Home
- Beware of cheap, imported furniture that may have been treated with insecticides upon importation.
- Clothe your family in natural fibres, and beware especially of flame retardants used in the production of pyjamas.
- Avoid insecticides around the home and use natural alternatives instead such as peppermint or tea tree oil.
- Beware of lead-leaden paints and choose non-toxic new paints.
- Avoid plastic packaging where possible. Use glass bottles and paper packaging instead which can be recycled at a later date.
- Avoid new toys produced from PVC or plastic.
- Throw out your old computer, which may contain toxic heavy metals that are all carcinogenic and uneasily degraded, such as lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium.
- Avoid further exposure to mercury and use a digital thermometer.
Choosing Cooking Utensils
- Whilst stainless steel products can be a mixture of several metals, they are safe to use unless they dinged and pitted.
- A safer alternative is anodized aluminum cookware. Aluminum can't get into food and makes an ideal non-stick surface for cooks.
- Cast iron cookware may actually improve your Iron levels as food absorbs the iron in the cooking process.
- Used with proper care, Teflon cookware is safe to use according to the latest research.
Tests such as hair analysis and urine sampling are available to you if you want to measures how much exposure you have had to heavy metals in the environment. Please speak to a doctor or natural health practitioner about which tests will best suit your needs and before commencing any detox/cleansing program.
Originally published on Jun 10, 2010
