The Dangers of Toxic Heavy Metals and How to Detox Them

Food, toxic heavy metals, vaccines Kim Seymour

Symptoms and even chronic diseases caused by toxic heavy metals (also called heavy metal poisoning) is now considered to be a problem that millions of people deal with.

Exposure to toxic heavy metals is a contributing factor, if not a root cause, of symptoms like low energy, mood disturbances and cognitive changes. Toxic heavy metals first enter your bloodstream from exposure to farmed fish, contaminated water, amalgam dental fillings and household products, just to name a few. These toxic heavy metals then travel throughout your body and penetrate your cells of various tissues and organs, where they can remain stored up for years. That’s right, years, not months.

How do you treat heavy metal toxicity? Doing a heavy metal detox is one of the best ways to start reversing symptoms. One thing to be aware of, however, is that while you work on overcoming metal poisoning, you might notice some symptoms getting worse, before they get better. Heavy metal detox symptoms can include fatigue, loss of appetite and digestive issues, just to name a few.

What foods can help remove heavy metals from the body? As you’ll learn more about below, foods to include in a toxic heavy metal detox include leafy green veggies, non-starchy veggies, herbs, spices, algae, superfoods, and bone broth.

Detoxifying treatments and supplements can also be included into a natural heavy metal detox nutritional lifestyle change to help support your brain, nervous system, liver and other vital organs. Are you ready to start detoxing toxic heavy metals and other chemicals from your body? If so, follow the detox nutrition list here to help rid your body of toxins.

Dangers of Toxic Heavy Metals (aka Heavy Metal Poisoning)

What exactly are “toxic heavy metals”? Toxic heavy metals are elements that can become toxic and are very dangerous even in “low concentrations”. Heavy metals that can lead to toxicity (or poisoning) include:

Mercury
Lead
Arsenic
Cadmium
Aluminum
Nickel
Uranium
Thallium
Others include manganese, iron, lithium, zinc and calcium (yes, under certain conditions, high levels of even essential minerals can be dangerous)

Heavy metal poisoning describes symptoms caused by exposure to metals that accumulate inside the body. According to a report in Scientific World Journal, “Toxic metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are ubiquitous, have no beneficial role in human homeostasis, and contribute to noncommunicable chronic disease.” (Emphasis added)

Researchers have identified that exposure to at least 23 different environmental metals (called “heavy metals”) can contribute to acute or chronic toxicity. These metals are described as being heavy because they stick around in the body, especially hiding out in adipose tissue (fat cells). They are difficult to get rid of, making them like fat-soluble toxins. Body fat tries to protect the organs by trapping certain substances inside, including some metals, which causes them to linger. This is one reason weight loss can sometimes result in heavy metal detoxing, as fat cells shrink and release hidden toxins.

There is no way to entirely avoid heavy metal exposure, since metals are elements found all over the world in the food supply, water, and ground. Environmental metals are problematic because over time, they accumulate within bodily tissues, often without the person who is affected even realizing this is happening. Heavy metal toxicity can result in damaged or reduced mental and central nervous function, plus damage to the vital organs — such as the liver, heart, endocrine glands and kidneys.

Long-term exposure to heavy metals may lead to physical, muscular, and neurological degeneration. When they become severe, heavy metal poisoning symptoms can even mimic symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Because heavy metal poisoning symptoms can mimic those related to aging (such as loss of memory and increased fatigue), many people blame getting older as the cause of their emerging symptoms, not realizing that heavy metal exposure is a major contributing factor.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Heavy Metal Poisoning?

Some of the most common warning signs include:

Chronic fatigue
Autoimmune diseases, including Lyme’s disease
Poor recovery from exercise and weakness
Skin irritation
Neurological disorders
Brain-fog, trouble concentrating, difficulty learning and poor memory
Depression and/or anxiety
Dementia
Insomnia
Digestive issues, such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
Chronic aches and pains, such as those associated with fibromyalgia
Tremors
Impaired motor control, hearing, speech, vision and gait
Anemia
Higher risk for heart attacks

Where Do Heavy Metals Come From?

Mercury poisoning is one of the most common types of heavy metal poisoning. Almost every single person in the world has at least trace amounts of mercury in his or her body. Why? Some of the factors that can cause mercury poisoning (and other types of heavy metal toxicity) include:

Exposure to environmental pollutants, such as traffic fumes, air pollution, food contaminants, cigarette smoke or radiation.
Having amalgam dental fillings (silver fillings slowly release mercury into the body).
Eating a poor-quality diet (for example, eating farm-raised fish that carry high levels of mercury). According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way we’re exposed to mercury in the U.S. is by consuming fish that contains health-hazardous heavy metals, such as tilefish, swordfish, shark, king mackerel and bigeye tuna. A diet that includes processed foods, especially those that are imported from foreign countries. Foods that are not organically grown can also be a contributing factor.
Drinking water that is contaminated with metals (such as aluminum).
From birth (toxic heavy metals can be passed down in utero from mother to her newborn).
Exposure or use of household substances that carry mercury, such as adhesives, air condition filters, cosmetics, fabric softeners, felt, floor waxes and polishes, and talcum powder.
Getting tattoos.
Exposure to substances that carry lead, such as some chocolates, canned foods, toothpastes, old paints, insecticides, ceramic and some pottery, and soldered pipes.
Use or exposure to other household items, such as antiperspirants, baking powder, certain baby formulas, plastic toys, antacids, aluminum foil, and certain metal pots and pans.
Receiving vaccines.

Mercury is one of the deadliest metals. Certain studies have found that when nerves are exposed to mercury, the myelin sheath (the fatty substance that surrounds the axon of some nerve cells and helps with electrical signaling) can become severely damaged, interfering with how nerves communicate.

What are some warning signs and side effects associated with mercury poisoning? These include changes to the central nervous system such as irritability, fatigue, behavioral changes, tremors, headaches, problems hearing, skin damage and cognitive loss.

Can you die from heavy metal poisoning? Absolutely — in many cases, metal poisoning has led to hallucinations and even death.

What Is a Heavy Metal Detox? Plus, Benefits of Heavy Metal Detox

If you have reason to believe that you have had toxic exposure to metals, you should consider testing for metal poisoning by speaking with a holistic health coach, such as myself, or an integrative practitioner/naturopath. Heavy metal testing in the form of hair analysis (best used for children) or a blood test (for acute exposure) is now widely available and is useful for confirming suspected toxicity. Or there is the option of a 24-hour urine test (which is what Courtney and I opted for). Even if you choose not to be tested for toxicity, many of the nutritional and lifestyle changes described below will still be beneficial for immune system function, gut health, liver function, and more.

The goal of a toxic heavy metal detox is to remove accumulated toxic heavy metals from your body, brain and nervous system. Your kidneys, liver, heart, lymphatic system and respiratory system will also benefit from detoxification.

How are toxins removed from your body? The most common way is through chelation. However, this is also the most expensive. Chelation therapy is a medical procedure (although it can also be performed at home) that involves the administration of chelating agents to remove toxic heavy metals from the body by binding to molecules and allowing them to be dissolved and excreted in the urine and/or stool.

Chelation is natural detoxification of toxic heavy metals because it works with glutathione and other small molecules to promote excretion. It’s recommended that it be performed by a holistic health coach or an integrative practitioner/naturopath since detox effects known as Herxheimer reaction, are possible, such as removal of essential vitamins and minerals.

Other ways to detox the body of toxic heavy metals include making nutritional changes and using herbs and supplements, which help to break down metals into smaller molecules so they can be removed from urine, feces, sweat, and even the breath.

Benefits of doing a toxic heavy metal detox include:

Reduced free radical damage/oxidative stress
Improvements in energy levels
Enhanced immunity and gut health
Better digestive function
Improvements in mental performance (attention, memory, learning, etc.)
Improved skin health
Better protection against diseases, cognitive disorders, and autoimmune disease

Toxic Heavy Metal Detox: The Nutritional Factor

First and foremost, focusing on nutrition should be the first step you take to improve your overall health. What foods can help remove toxic heavy metals from the body?

Foods to eat while doing a toxic heavy metal detox include:

Leafy green veggies — Greens are some of the most powerful heavy metal detox foods. Try to have some type of bitter greens each day, such as kale, swiss chard, dandelion greens, mustard greens, arugula, spinach or beet greens. Broccoli sprouts are another great food for providing antioxidants and reducing inflammation.
Herbs and spices — Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant herbs and spices like basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, thyme, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and cilantro can help remove toxic heavy metals. Cilantro (along with other green herbs and plants) is one of the best herbs for detoxifying and can help reduce the buildup of toxic heavy metals like mercury and lead in the body. Try adding herbs like cilantro and parsley to fresh-squeezed green juices.
Food’s rich in vitamin C – Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C can reduce the damage caused by heavy metal toxicity by acting as an antioxidant. High-vitamin C foods include citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruit (these are also acidic and should not be consumed daily), leafy greens like spinach and kale, all types of berries, broccoli and cruciferous veggies, kiwi, papaya, guava and bell pepper. Please be cognizant of our fruit consumption because it also has its own sugar called fructose.
Garlic and onions – These vegetables contain sulfur which helps your liver detoxify itself of toxic heavy metals like lead and arsenic.
Clean Water – Drink 8 ounces of clean water every two hours to stay hydrated and help flush out toxins. This is why we own a K8 water machine. You can find your K8 water machine here! My ID # is 7322664.
Flax and chia seeds – These provide omega-3 fats and fiber that can help with detoxification of the colon and reduce inflammation. Please be cognizant of too much fiber which can cause constipation.
Bone broth— Bone broth helps to keep you hydrated, provides important minerals, and supports liver health by providing glutathione. It also provides amino acids that help strengthen your organs. Consume bone broth by either making your own and sipping on several cups daily, or by using protein powder made from bone broth. Please be cognizant of ingredients labels. Some shelf protein powders contain toxic heavy metals. I learned how to make my own. Courtney and I put my recipe in our book, Courtney’s Healing Journey, which you can purchase here.

Foods to avoid while detoxing include:

Farmed fish – Farmed fish, especially those from foreign countries where the quality is not monitored, can contain toxic heavy metals, dioxins and PCB’s which are highly toxic. The worst offenders are tilefish, swordfish, shark, king mackerel and bigeye tuna. You can continue to eat fish up to twice per week — just make better choices that are low in mercury and purchase wild-caught fish only, ideally from a local fisherman that you trust.
Food allergens – If your body is fighting against allergens and dealing with high levels of inflammation, it will not be able to detoxify from heavy metal poisoning as well. I encourage you to contact me here and we can set up a free consultation.
Non-organic foods – These foods increase exposure to chemicals which make symptoms worse. Some of the worst offenders include conventional apple juice and brown rice products. For a list of other foods that you should always try to buy organic, see this list of the Dirty Dozen, detailing the most pesticide-contaminated produce as tested by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
Foods with additives – Additives can aggravate toxicity symptoms and decrease your body’s ability to detoxify.
Alcohol – Alcohol is toxic to the body and will make it more difficult for your liver to process other toxins.

Supplements to take that may help you overcome heavy metal poisoning include:

Chlorella (1-4 grams per day, or about 4-8 caps daily) — Chlorella is a type of green algae that acts as a natural chelator to remove toxic heavy metals, especially lead and mercury. It’s a great source of chlorophyll and is “hungry” to absorb other toxic metals. You can take it in powder or tablet form.
Vitamin C (1000 milligrams daily) — Acts as an antioxidant to help reduce free radicals.
Cilantro (preferably taken as a tincture 2x per day)
Milk Thistle (600 milligrams daily or milk thistle fluid extract daily) — This is one of the most popular herbs for detoxifying the liver. Silybin is a component with the greatest degree of biological activity that has strong antioxidant properties. It may act as a toxin blockade agent by inhibiting binding of toxins to cell membrane receptors. Silymarin has been shown to reduce liver injury and is used to treat alcoholic liver disease, acute and chronic viral hepatitis and toxin-induced liver diseases.
Probiotics — Can help improve detoxification of the gut and help boost immunity. This is the probiotic that Courtney and I take and I recommend to all my clients.

Treatment methods to use include:

Chelation therapy — Of all heavy metal detox products, chelation therapy is probably one of the most effective ways to reduce serious heavy metal exposure, especially metals like lead, mercury, aluminum and arsenic. Chelation therapy can involve EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid). EDTA helps to eliminate metals by binding salts to molecules. After EDTA attaches to heavy metals, together they both move to the kidneys where they are eliminated through urine. Side effects known as Herxheimer’s reaction are possible. What are potential side effects? These include feeling dizzy, headaches, nausea, low blood sugar symptoms and blood pressure changes.
Activated charcoal— Activated charcoal works to eliminate metals and toxins via adsorption or a reaction where elements bind. The porous surface of activated charcoal has a negative electric charge that causes positive charged toxins and gas to bond with it. Charcoal is so powerful that it’s used as an emergency treatment for removing poisons from the body very fast. It’s full of carbon and can help discard heavy metals and other toxins. Follow directions based on the specific type you use. Whenever you take activated charcoal, it’s imperative to drink 12–16 glasses of water per day. Courtney and I use a product called Bind that has activated charcoal in it. I also recommend it to all my clients that are detoxing from toxic heavy metals.
Bentonite clay— Clays are used to absorb toxins because they act like a sponge or magnet for chemicals and metals inside the body. Due to its poly-cationic nature, bentonite clay leads to absorption of negative charge toxins. Most clays are meant for topical use only (they are not meant to be ingested). However, some high-quality, organic clays can be used internally, although you need to be very careful about doing this (contact the manufacturer to ask if it’s safe to consume the clay). Historically, many cultures ate clay to obtain minerals and help cleanse their bodies of parasites and other microbes. If you do want to use clay internally, mix 1/2 teaspoon with water, stir to mix and take once daily.
Plexus Body Cream — If you deal with skin irritation or itchiness either before or during your heavy metal detox, then apply Plexus body cream to help soothe the inflammation. Spread the cream over itchy skin irritations 2–3 times daily (avoid if you have an allergy to any of the ingredients).

Heavy Metal Detox Symptoms + How to Deal with Them

When you begin to detoxify, certain symptoms can be expected as your body starts to adjust. Before you wind up feeling better and seeing improvements in your health, you might feel worse at first for a brief period. This is a sign that your body is going through changes that might not feel very great, but ultimately, they will leave you healthier once you get through them. Remember that your body heals itself, and in the process, you might need to go through a transition phase that feels uncomfortable.

What are the side effects of detoxing? Potential heavy metal detox symptoms you might temporarily experience while you’re cleansing include:

Bloating and gas
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea or constipation
Headaches
A skin rash
Changes in appetite
Low energy
Metallic or sour taste in the mouth

Some people find that if they jump into a detox too “aggressively” and quickly, they wind up dealing with significant side effects/symptoms. It’s advised that you detox slowly and gradually; start by making nutritional changes and then begin adding herbs and supplements over the course of at least several months.

Try to stick with the detox outline above and be patient — it will be worth it! To ease symptoms, stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep, eat nutritionally sound, manage stress and only do moderate exercises until you gain more energy.

How long can you expect it to take for a heavy metal detox to begin working? It really depends on how high your levels are, your source(s) of exposure and the efforts you make to rid yourself of these metals.

Remember that heavy metal exposure slowly takes place over many years, so getting rid of them will not happen overnight. However, it’s important to stay on track, since toxicity can have a negative life-long impact on your health.

Precautions/Side Effects When Doing A Heavy Metal Detox

Because heavy metal toxicity causes such a range of health problems, it can be easy to confuse toxicity with another underlying health condition. If you have concerns about your heavy metal levels, it’s a good idea to do testing. Regarding what to do with amalgams, known as dental fillings, talk to your dentist about available options (Courtney and I recommend seeking an IAOMT-certified dentists who has been trained in biocompatible dentistry).

It’s especially important for women who are considering becoming pregnant soon to know their toxic heavy metal levels, since toxicity can contribute to developmental problems in newborns. If a woman has been diagnosed with high levels of a toxic heavy metal, such as mercury, it’s recommended that she delay pregnancy so she can work on restoring her health first.

Kim Seymour LVN and Courtney Seymour