Pain, Headaches, and Brain Fog

The intense existence of harmful chemicals and toxic metals in our environment, in medicines, in food, in the water we drink and bathe in, and even in our dental work, creates a huge challenge for our body to effectively rid itself from these toxins. This results in a vicious cycle that manifests itself in a variety of symptoms, among them is candida overgrowth that causes the symptoms of yeast infection to appear. 

Chemical and toxic metal build up inside the body can also lead to hormonal imbalance, genetic alterations, immune system failure, poor elimination, slower healing process, skin problems, allergies and nerve and brain damage. 

The presence of toxic heavy metals in the body (lead and mercury) coming from food, the air that we breath, medicines and dental work (amalgams contain 50% mercury), create an acidic and anaerobic (lacks oxygen) environment that encourages candida overgrowth. 

When there is toxic heavy metal overload in the intestine, the intestinal lining produces extra mucus to block toxic heavy metals from being absorbed into the blood stream. The problem is that this mucus creates an environment, which lacks oxygen, thus encouraging bacteria and fungi to grow out of control. 

Moreover, candida overgrowth binds to heavy metals (even in your amalgam fillings) and overgrows as the body performs a desperate attempt to protect itself against toxic heavy metal poisoning. 

A detoxification combined with the gradual removal of dental work and replacing them with safer white fillings (composites) is one of the most important and fundamentals steps in battling candida overgrowth and restoring the body back into balance. 

Heavy Metal Toxicity: Sources, Signs & Symptoms 

 Over time, these toxic chemicals accumulate in our bodies. When our bodies have finally become so overwhelmed and we can no longer metabolize, they end up accumulating in the soft tissue. Or, for some, it happens suddenly after placement. 

Toxic heavy metal pollutants such as aluminum, lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium can alter and damage cellular function, mitochondria, and impair mental and physical health.  

Not all metals are toxic. Certain trace metals are required for optimal health and body balance, such as iron, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, lithium, manganese and molybdenum, but if there is an excess of any of these, they become oxidative and toxic to the body. 

Many research studies in the U.S. and Europe have linked heavy metal toxicity such as lead, mercury and aluminum with a wide range of illnesses and health conditions that cause serious damage to the lungs, brain, heart, liver, kidneys, bones, GI tract and reproductive organs. Toxic heavy metals can directly and indirectly damage our DNA and contribute to several diseases and illnesses. 

Conditions of toxic heavy metal poisoning 

“One of the most common causes of psychiatric problems (of which medical doctors are unaware) is heavy metal toxicity.” —Dr. Simon Yu, M.D. author of Accidental Cure 

• Thyroid dysfunction; an increased reverse T3 can also be an indicator of heavy metal poisoning 
• ADHD, low IQ and learning disabilities 
• Adrenal insufficiency 
• Iron anemia and iron overload 
• Anorexia, loss of appetite 
• Anxiety, mood swings, depression, schizophrenia 
• Autoimmune disorders including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, Hashimoto’s, multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus, and many others 
• Brain fog, confusion, forgetfulness, memory loss, dementia, and inflammatory brain conditions including autism, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease 
• Cancer 
• Chronic infections (viral, dental, H. Pylori, bacterial, parasitic, Candida overgrowth) 
• Chronic muscle, joint and tendon pain 
• Digestive problems, IBS and gastrointestinal (GI) complaints 
• Dizziness 
• Estrogen dominance 
• Food allergies 
• Genital malformation 
• Hair loss or premature graying hair 
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) 
• Infertility and reproductive problems in both men and women 
• Insomnia 
• Kidney and liver disease 
• Migraines and headaches 
• Nervous system malfunctions: burning extremities, numbness, tingling 
• Neurotransmitter dysfunction 
• Nutritional deficiencies 
• Osteoporosis 
• Accelerated aging 
• Respiratory, lung and heart problems 
• TMJ 
• Visual disturbances 

Heavy metal toxicity is connected with all sorts of health problems and diseases that many people think are related to just getting older. These are also diseases many doctors suggest managing with drugs. Medical schools have failed to educate doctors and dentists of the dangers of heavy metal toxicity. If you ask your doctor to test and rule out toxic heavy metals because you feel a sense of deep heaviness, are tired, depressed or experience achy, sore or chronic joint pain for no reason, all too often the request is dismissed and instead you’ll probably get a prescription for an antidepressant or antianxiety. 

The top four toxic heavy metals that are most harmful to our health include arsenic, lead, aluminum and mercury, which was confirmed by The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) when they compiled a list of the “Top 20 Hazardous Substances.” 

According to a Brown University study, researchers found that nearly 23% of American women of childbearing age met or exceeded levels for all three environmental pollutants (lead, mercury, and PCBs), and 56% of the women exceeded the median for two or more of the three pollutants. All but 17.3% of the women aged 16 to 49 were at or above the level for one or more of these toxic pollutants that are passed to fetuses through the placenta and to babies through breast milk. 

The normal aging process is one of the most prominent risk factors associated with increased odds of having higher levels of lead, mercury and PCBs. As we grow older, the risk of exceeding the level in two or more of these pollutants increases. Individuals aged 30-39 have 12x the risk, and those 40-49 have 30x the risk because these pollutants accumulate in the body over time as well as individuals that were born in the 1950s and 1960s since this was before most environmental protection laws were enacted. 

Aside from aging, eating fish, vaccine exposure, alcohol consumption, glyphosate, herbicide and pesticide exposure, various occupations, and other lifestyle factors also increase the risk of having higher levels of toxic metals. 

Certain occupations are more susceptible to an increased risk of toxic metal body burdens, such as plumbers, construction and refinery workers, hairdressers, dentists (general), lithographers, farmers, painters, auto body paint and radiator repair, miners, welders, and fertilizer and pesticide manufacturers. 

Toxic Heavy Metal Sources 

“Even LOW amounts of heavy metals can be harmful.” —Ellen Silbergeld, Ph.D., a professor at John Hopkins University 

• “There are no safe levels of lead. Brain development is impaired in fetuses and infants exposed to lead. Lead toxicity, even low levels, reduces a child’s IQ. For every 17mcgs of lead in the body, IQ is reduced by 10 points!” [Richard L. Canfield, Ph.D. New England Journal of Medicine 2002] 
• Lead toxicity has been linked with brain cancer, dementia and cognitive problems because it readily crosses the blood-brain barrier. 
• Aluminum is the most abundantly found toxic metal in the Alzheimer brain. It is also highly implicated in Parkinson’s and Lou Gehrig’s disease. 
• Mercury is one of the most toxic heavy metals and very damaging to the cells and organs. It is particularly destructive to the brain, liver and kidneys. 
• Arsenic, cadmium and high iron pose health threats as well. 

“Our cell, tissue and organ function are impaired anywhere toxic metals are deposited. In addition to causing direct damage, the toxic metals also cause damage by displacing nutritional minerals in key positions in cellular function, which results in slowing down or stopping these functions altogether.” –Jonathan Wright, M.D., 

“It’s not possible to completely avoid exposure to toxic metals” (Singh 2011), but one can minimize exposure by eating organic foods, drinking and bathing in clean filtered water (ID # 7322664), and healthier lifestyle choices. Even those who are not occupationally-exposed carry certain toxic metals in their body as a result of exposure from other sources, such as food, beverages, air and the environment. It’s possible to reduce metal toxicity risk through dietary, environmental and lifestyle choices that diminish the probability of harmful toxic heavy metal uptake and promote the safe metabolism or excretion of ingested heavy metals. 

Toxic Heavy Metals Testing 

There are various methods of testing to detect heavy metal toxicity. They include: 

• The QS Blood Metals Panel is a blood test that screens for a broad range of nutrient and toxic metals, to show elevated exposures to toxic metals or imbalances of nutrient metals in blood. 
• blood testing (more for acute exposure) 
• 24 hour urine 
• 24 hour urine test with a provoking agent that binds to toxic heavy metals will accurately detect total body load. This is the test Courtney and I used and we will use again. You MUST have all toxic heavy metals sources removed before performing this test, such as heavy metal dental work. This does include artificial joints. 
• Hair for detection of recent exposure to elements such as arsenic, aluminum, cadmium, lead, antimony and mercury. 
• NutrEval FMV with Nutrients and Toxic Elements 
• Fecal toxic metal test (Doctor’s Data Lab) provides a direct indication of dietary exposure to toxic metals and indirect information about the potential for toxic metal burden. Also provides a comprehensive evaluation of environmental exposure, potential for accumulation in the body (Hg), and possibly endogenous detoxification of potentially toxic metals. 

Safe & Effective Methods to Detox Heavy Metals  

Now let’s cover nutritional, environmental and lifestyle preventative measures to reduce toxic heavy metal exposure and the risk of heavy metal toxicity, plus safe and effective methods to detox heavy metals. 

*** It’s imperative to identify the source of heavy metal toxins and reduce the toxin intake and exposure. It’s also important to realize that people may be either slow detoxifiers or fast detoxifiers. The process to detox heavy metals and eliminate them is extremely important, can be rather challenging, and takes years to remove and clear toxic metal burden safely and effectively. It should never be a rushed process. 

*** It’s imperative that you have all pathways open, you’re nourished during the detox process, have adequate functioning adrenals and your liver function is appropriate before starting chelation treatment. Prior to detoxing toxic metals it’s crucial to open the detoxification pathways first (GI/colon/bowel, kidneys, lymph, liver and gallbladder). 

When using food to Detox Heavy Metals 

• Nutrient-density has a significant influence in modifying the response to toxic element exposure. It’s crucial to consume organically-grown foods as much as possible, anti-inflammatory foods, drink clean filtered water (ID # 7322664), and if you eat animal protein it must be organic, 100% grass-fed and pasture-raised. 
• Chlorophyll-rich and fiber-dense veggies, herbs and colorful plants such as artichoke, asparagus, broccoli sprouts, mustard greens and herbs like cilantro and parsley. Cilantro can be an especially effective and gentle detoxifying chelator of lead, mercury and other toxic heavy metals and other toxic contaminants. One study demonstrated rapid removal of aluminum and lead from the skeleton and brain with cilantro. “Cilantro is probably the only effective agent in mobilizing mercury stored in the intracellular space and the nucleus of the cell.” –D. Klinghardt, M.D. 
• Sulfur-rich foods such as organic garlic, red onions, horseradish, broccoli sprouts, mustard greens, cilantro, collards, watercress, radish, turnips and other veggies 
• Cysteine-rich foods that create metallothionine: chicken, turkey and duck, duck eggs, 100% grass-fed whey protein, raw dairy, garlic and red onions 
• Pectins found in citrus rinds such as lemons, lime and grapefruit naturally chelate heavy metals. 
• Adequate protein, especially animal protein is necessary for detoxification. Organic, pasture-raised (not factory-farmed) animal protein detoxifies toxic heavy metals from the body naturally by supplying sulfur-containing amino acids, which support liver detoxification pathways and help chelate toxic metals. 
• Spices, especially garlic and turmeric. Turmeric contains the active ingredient curcumin, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory and healing remedy for the liver and kidneys. 
• Avoid canned foods, processed foods, and fast food because they are all fake foods 
• Avoid rice and grains, which often contain high amounts of toxic heavy metals 
• Do not use table salt. Instead use Himalayan salt 
• Educate yourself on the safest sources of fish. Avoid tuna, shark and swordfish. Women who ate fish more than once a week have 4.5 times the risk of toxic body burdens. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s crucial to avoid mercury-heavy fish, including tuna. 
• Strengthen your body’s immune system, optimize nutrient status and correct any nutritional deficiencies, and avoid immune suppressors 

Lifestyle Tips to Detox Toxic Heavy Metals 
 

• Strengthen and support your liver, gallbladder, kidneys, and lymphatic system 
• Optimize a healthy microbiome, good digestion, elimination, and healthy gut function 
• If you have mercury fillings, consider removal sooner rather than later by a biological, holistic dentist who is mercury free, SMART certified, and accredited. I recommend IAOMT.org to find one in your area.
• Switch to organic and natural personal care products: cosmetics, lotions, toothpaste and deodorants. For the cosmetics and toothpaste my ID# is 12668940. High amounts of lead, aluminum, cadmium and other toxic metals are found in lipsticks, lip glosses and other cosmetics. 
• If you work in an environment where you are exposed to heavy metals (pottery, plumbing, painting, battery manufacture, landscaper) shower, or at minimum, wash your hands and face at work. Change your clothes before leaving work or immediately when you arrive home. Wash your work clothes separately. Keep your work shoes outside. 
• Take detox baths at least twice a week: Soak in a tub of Epsom salt and essential oil  
• Love your lymph! Dry skin brushing before showering to encourage lymph flow will help flush toxins from the body. Lymph rollers are a good tool too. 
• Honor and value the importance of sleep and rest. Extra rest and uninterrupted sleep are critical for detoxification. 
• Identify your nutrient deficiencies through a blood chemistry analysis. Dietary deficiencies of calcium, iron, and zinc enhance the effects of lead on cognitive and behavioral development. Mineral deficiencies are associated with increased gastrointestinal (GI) toxic metal absorption. 
• Sweating encourages elimination of toxins and accumulated toxic metals. Saunas, specifically infrared sauna and exercise. 
• Addressing and resolving psycho-emotional trauma, adverse childhood events and soul wounds will aid in the excretion of toxic heavy metals. Here is a written exercise that will assist you.
• If you choose to vaccinate yourself, your children or pets, educate yourself on every single ingredient of every single vaccine you are considering. Also, educate yourself about homeoprophylaxis as an option instead of vaccines. Courtney and I will be using homeoprophylaxis when we start traveling abroad.
   
• Daily bowel regularity is essential in detoxing toxic metals. 
• If you’re planning to become pregnant, both the father and mother-to-be have a high relative risk of elevated levels of lead, mercury and PCBs. Identifying and ruling out toxic metal body burdens prior to becoming pregnant is not only smart, it’s crucial for both the mother, father to-be and the health of the baby. Today, unfortunately, most children are born with some toxic metals acquired in utero. Toxic metals pass through the placenta from mother to child. This is seen when reviewing mineral analyses of infants. These are babies who have never been exposed to food, yet their bodies are loaded with many toxic metals. According to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), 60,000 American children are born every year with neurological problems caused by prenatal exposure to methyl mercury compounds. 
• Take control of your water supply. Install water filters in your home, especially water used for drinking, cooking, showering and bathing (ID # 7322664).
• Identify and rule out underlying infections and dysbiosis. Dying fungi, parasites, and yeasts may release vast amounts of previously bound mercury. 
• Keep kids away from imported candy and don’t let them chew on wrappers or gift wrap. 
• Switch to natural household cleaners such as vinegar, baking soda and essential oils (ID # 12668940). 
• Avoid aluminum cookware. Instead use stainless steel. 
• If you smoke, quit. Avoid secondhand smoke. 
• Reduce stress. Activate the parasympathetic nervous system and strengthen vagal tone. Stress of any kind slows down the detoxification process. 

Nutrients to Detox Toxic Heavy Metals 

Supplemental support for detoxing heavy metals is very bio-individualized and unique to each person. Chelation means metal binding. Many chelating agents also remove vital minerals, so these minerals must be replaced to avoid nutrient deficiencies. 

• Digestive enzymes, bile support and hydrochloric acid to adequately break down protein and facilitate proper mineral and nutrient absorption. (ID # 12668940)
• Lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant that supports the body’s own pathways of elimination and boosts glutathione levels. Increase glutathione with grass-fed whey protein, alpha lipoic acid (ALA), glutathione, and methylation nutrients, vitamins B6, B12 and folate to assist in breaking down toxic metals so they can be eliminated by the body. 
• N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is one of the most cost effective ways to boost systemic glutathione. It plays a protective role against a variety of toxins and metal body burdens. 
• Chlorella, a single cell algae sea vegetable that grows in fresh water is a food-grade natural chelating agent. Chlorella works synergistically with cilantro as it has better binding properties. Chlorella can cause side effects in some people. Always start with the lowest quantity and highest quality form of chlorella as many sources of chlorella contain contaminants and metals. 
• Not all fish oil is healthy; 80% of fish oil on the market is rancid and oxidized. Supplement with only high-grade quality omega-3 fish oil void of PCBs, soybean oil and toxic metals. 
• Optimize the balance of intestinal flora with probiotics. 
• Optimize your vitamin D status 
• Supplemental support and the choice of which nutrients to use to gently remove toxic metals will vary for every single individual. We cannot stress the importance of bio-individualized, unique to each individual. 
• Avoid low-quality supplements, binders and some protein powders as they contain high amounts of toxic heavy metals and other less than desirable ingredients. 
• Many calcium and other mineral products are contaminated with lead. It is best to avoid calcium derived from sources such as bonemeal, dolomite, oyster shell or coral calcium. 
• Binders such as charcoal, bentonite clay, modified citrus pectin and food-grade diatomaceous earth taken before bedtime and away from any other supplements, or medications, can be consumed internally to safely remove toxic heavy metals, harmful bacteria, yeast, fungus, viruses, pesticides and other toxins. 
• Accumulation of toxic heavy metals in the body is more problematic when other essential minerals are deficient. Identify your personal nutrient deficiencies and Balance your Body Chemistry with Nutrition. 
• Many detoxing supplements and agents (EDTA and DMSA) also remove vital minerals, so these vital minerals such as magnesium, zinc, iodine, iodide and selenium must be replaced to avoid nutrient deficiencies. 

The above suggestions help to detox toxic heavy metals. However, there are other chelating processes such as suppositories, stronger chelating agents and IV therapy (which can be quite expensive, which is why I do what I do). 

The process of eliminating the source of exposure to toxic heavy metals and detoxing heavy metals is very important, can be rather challenging and takes years to remove them safely and effectively. It should never be a rushed process. It’s more of a marathon than a sprint.  

With love and purpose,

Kim Seymour LVN and Courtney Seymour

Call me or text me if you need me

806-382-7979

It’s the law that I tell you that dietary supplements are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as foods, not as drugs. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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