The presence of excessive amounts of toxic metals in the body contributes to health problems. These problems can be directly linked to the metal itself as well as the toxic load stressing the immune system. We live in a world that can be described as a toxic soup. Never before has a society been so constantly exposed to such a wide array of potentially hazardous substances permeating every aspect of the environment. This exposure begins in utero and continues throughout life. We are at a point now where the effects can be accumulative and multigenerational. Conventional thinking is that a problem does not exist until a threshold is breached and toxic levels have reached an acute stage. However, what about all of the points on the continuum leading up to that point? What about levels of substances for which there is no known safe level, such as mercury and lead? Many people walking around with a wide variety of health problems have toxic levels of metals in their body. Many people who are seemingly healthy also have build-ups that can, with time, contribute to the development of health problems. Many children, including those diagnosed within the autistic spectrum disorder, also are affected by metals.

Toxic metals are taken very seriously in alternative medicine. Testing and treating for them is as important as optimum nutritional intake and a healthy lifestyle. Tests for metal levels typically include hair and urine. Hair analysis gives an indication of levels of beneficial minerals as well. Urine testing, typically done with a challenging agent that chelates toxic metals, may offer a more complete picture, particularly with mercury. Hair analysis is a test that can be performed without the recommendation of a physician by contacting a laboratory such as King James Medical Laboratory (440) 835-2150. As said, however, hair analysis should not be relied upon as the sole indicator of whether or not a person has high levels of toxic metals. A urine challenge test is perhaps the gold standard. In that, a small amount of a chelating agent is administered and urine is collected over a number of hours. A chelating agent is a substance that finds toxic metals, bonds with them and carries them out of the body through the urine. Say for example, a test shows a person as having mercury or lead in the urine. That is a signal that there is more where that came from in the body.

If metal toxicity is diagnosed, there are several therapeutic approaches that may be taken. The simplest is the use of an oral chelating agent. In some cases, the oral chelating agent may be combined with an intravenous chelation. In still other instances, injections of the chelating substance may be used. Some herbal substances such as cilantro and chlorella can help. TTFD, a fat-soluble and very bioefficient form of vitamin B1 also known as allithiaimine, also is effective in the detoxicification of heavy metals. Metal detoxification therapies should be done under the guidance of a knowledgeable health care practitioner who has a good working knowledge of nutrition and the biochemistry of the body. The physicians at Preventive Medicine Group are very experienced in this area. Following is a list of metals that are of concern.

ALUMINUM is not a heavy metal, but it can be toxic if present in excessive amounts, especially in the brain. It is the most abundant metallic element in the earth's crust and permeates our air, water and oil. It is found in nearly all food and water. Other sources of aluminum include cookware, foil, antacids, painkillers, anti-inflammatories, douches, baking powders, food processing, antiperspirants, toothpaste, bleached flour, grated cheese table salt and beer. many of the symptoms of aluminum toxicity are similar to those of Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis. Aluminum toxicity can lead to colic, rickets, gastrointestinal disturbances, poor calcium metabolism, extreme nervousness, anemia, headaches, decreased liver and kidney function, forgetfulness, speech disturbances, memory loss, seizures, reduced mental faculties, softening of the bones and weak, aching muscles.

ARSENIC is the most toxic substance as rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is found in a wide variety of sources including pesticides, laundry aids, smog, tobacco smoke, bone meal, dolomite, kelp, table salt, beer, seafood and drinking water. Symptoms associated with high arsenic include headache, confusion, drowsiness, convulsions, and some types of cancer. Arsenic poisoning primarily affects the lungs, skin, kidneys and liver.

CADMIUM is present in the environment and also found in the production of inks and dyes, many industrial applications, plastics, some batteries, some foods, tobacco, water, pollution, fertilizer, fungicides, pesticides and soil. Elevated levels of cadmium may result in high blood pressure, inflammation, joint pain, hair loss, dry skin, decreased immunity, loss of appetite, bone disorders, cancer and shortened life span.

IRON deficiency is a problem but too much iron in the tissues and organs leads to the production of free radicals. High levels of iron have been found in association with heart disease and cancer.

LEAD is the second most toxic substance according to the EPA. It is a cumulative poison retained in the body as a metabolic poison inhibiting enzyme functions, contributing to free radical damage, damaging the heart, kidneys, liver and nervous system. Children and pregnant women are particularly susceptible. Lead is widely used in this country and many people have high levels. Sources of lead include lead-based paints, ceramic glazes, lead crystal, car batteries, tobacco, liver water, some wines, some canned fruit, vegetables grown in lead contaminated soil, bone meal and insecticides.

MERCURY is the third most toxic substance of a list of 275 hazardous substances according to the EPA. Tooth fillings that are silver in color are actually a mixture of silver, copper, tin and zinc amalgamated or dissolved in mercury. The amount of mercury is approximately 50% or more. Most Americans have amalgam fillings. Research has demonstrated that mercury vapor is continuously released from these fillings in measurable quantities from the moment fillings are inserted into teeth. This results in mercury being inhaled, swallowed and absorbed directly in the mouth. Mercury is also found in soil, water, some foods especially some fish, sewage sludge, fungicides and pesticides. It is present in a wide variety of everyday products including cosmetics, fabric softeners, batteries, industrial instruments, printer and tattoo inks, latex, some medications and vaccinations, some paints, plastics, polishes, solvents and wood preservatives. Studies have linked mercury exposure with a variety of illnesses including allergies, chronic fatigue, depression, GI disorders, immune system suppression, periodontal disease, neurological diseases, reproductive disorders, birth defects, kidney disease, heart disease, hypertension, respiratory disorders, skin disease, cancer and more. Mercury can interfere with any process or organ in the body since it is poisonous to all cells. If a person has a chronic health problems for which a cause has not been found and mercury fillings are or have been present in the mouth, mercury toxicity will be the major factor.

NICKEL is used to produce steel, some batteries, nickel plating, heating fuel and ceramics. Environmental exposure to nickel are automobile exhaust, cigarette smoke, manufacturing emissions and airborne dust. Skin absorption can come from coins, hairpins, jewelry, prosthetic joints, heart valves and some cookware. Many foods contain small amounts of nickel. Small amounts of nickel are useful in certain body functions; however, too much nickel can be toxic. Symptoms of nickel toxicity include nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, headache, vomiting, chest pain, weakness, coughing, brain and liver swelling, liver degeneration, skin rash, respiratory illness, thyroid malfunction and interference with enzymatic reactions.