heavy meta

Hidden Culprit of Your Health Issues: Heavy Metal Toxicity

 

Is heavy metal toxicity damaging your health without you even knowing? Heavy metals could be the hidden culprit you didn’t even know to look out for! And to be honest, it’s probably the last thing on your conventional doctor’s radar as well. 

 

However, heavy metal toxicity can cause numerous long-term health effects and even chronic diseases and cancer. Today I’m sharing what to be on the lookout for and what you should do about it. If you’re struggling to feel better despite eating healthy and working out, investigating whether you have a heavy metal toxicity could be helpful to getting your health back on track. 

 

Common Symptoms of Underlying Heavy Metal Toxicity 

  • Brain Damage
  • Memory defects
  • Lower IQs
  • Weakened Immune
  • Autoimmune conditions
  • Kidney disease
  • Muscle weakness
  • Thyroid disorders

 

Common Heavy Metal Toxicities

  • Lead
  • Cadmium
  • Arsenic
  • Mercury

 

Lead Heavy Metal Toxicity

Lead exposures have been linked with lower IQ and developmental delay in children. Children are more susceptible because of their increased permeable blood-brain barrier allowing the lead to get to the brain more easily and cause damage. 

 

But that’s not all. Lead exposure can cause long-term damage to adults as well, impacting the immune system, heart, brain, liver, kidney, and bones. Lead is stored in the bones, along with calcium, so as you get older and your bones break down, it can cause lead to be released and cause those health issues. So, no matter your age, lead could be the culprit behind your health issues.

 

Where is Lead Found?

Lead can be found in our air, the soil, the water, and even inside our homes! This is due to the large use of fossil fuels and lead-based paint that was once used in homes. If you live in an older home, be aware that the paint may contain lead. 

 

If you have children and notice the paint is chipping on painted windows, etc., keep your children away from it and get rid of it appropriately. 

 

Cadmium Heavy Metal Toxicity

Cadmium is a sneaky metal that accumulates in your kidneys and can stay there for up to 15-35 years until it is removed! Exposure can lead to kidney stones and even irreversible kidney failure. Be aware that even low levels can cause adverse health problems. Lower than initially thought. For men, cadmium toxicity can even lead to sperm abnormalities. 

 

Where is Cadmium Found?

Cadmium is found in soil and is often found in plants like rice, cereal grains, potatoes, and certain vegetables, but can also be found in the air and water. You may also be exposed to cadmium through fish and shellfish intake. 

 

Arsenic Heavy Metal Toxicity

Arsenic exposure is very serious as it can cause numerous health issues and conditions later down the road. This heavy metal can inhibit normal methylation functioning, leading to cancers, especially bladder cancers. Arsenic can also lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and can deplete your body of glutathione, which acts as a protective antioxidant. 

 

It’s tricky because symptoms may take years to develop. This is why it’s important to get tested to catch it early so it doesn’t manifest into serious issues in the future. 

 

Where is Arsenic Found?

Arsenic is found in our environment organically and inorganically. It could seep into the land and water as a result of smelting and mining or forest fires and volcanic eruptions. People are mostly exposed to high levels of arsenic through water contamination and rice products that have soaked in water that has been contaminated.

 

Mercury Heavy Metal Toxicity

Mercury toxicity can lead to impaired methylation, which can lead to higher levels of oxidative stress and cell damage, which can contribute to chronic health diseases as well as autoimmunity. It can also manifest into chronic heart disease because mercury can contribute to increased clotting, hypertension, and endothelial dysfunction.

 

Where is Mercury Found?

Mercury contamination is mostly from eating high quantities of fish, especially larger fish like tuna, swordfish, marlin, and king mackerel. You can even be exposed to mercury through mercury-containing dental amalgam fillings. They have been banned in the E.U. but are still used in the United States. 

 

If you want them removed, you should get in touch with a biological dentist because if they are taken out improperly, they can cause more damage and more mercury exposure than before. 

 

These mercury fillings are dangerous to your health because your dental amalgams can release mercury vapor and can be absorbed into your central nervous system.

 

How to Prevent Heavy Metal Toxicity

If you are worried about heavy metal toxicity, here are some action steps you can take to avoid metals in the first place and to figure out if metals are harming your body.

 

Check toxins in your local water: Go to EWG’s Tap Water Database to see if what kinds of toxins are in your local water source. You can enter in your zip code and find out the levels and if they are above standard limits. 

 

Invest in a high water filter: Most water in the United States is contaminated with some levels of toxins, microplastics, and heavy metals – all harming your body and putting unnecessary stress on it. I recommend investing in a high-quality water filter to get out any harmful substances. There are tabletop filters like Berkey and water filters that get placed underneath your sink like Aquasana. 

 

Folic acid supplementation: This can lower your blood arsenic levels, but check with your healthcare provider to see if you actually have arsenic in your body before taking certain supplements.

 

Functional Lab Testing: Testing is one way to find out for sure if you are struggling with heavy metals. Don’t wait until it’s too late and damage is already done. To ensure longevity and optimal health, you want to remove any unnecessary stressors on your body. With the lab results, your functional medicine provider can develop a personalized protocol treatment plan just for you to safely detox your body from heavy metals. 

 

Work with a Maryland Functional Medicine Doctor

If you are looking to uplevel your health and get to the root cause of your symptoms, Dr. Skye Stewart can help. She is a functional medicine doctor based in Annapolis, MD. She uses diet, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations and functional lab testing to uncover the underlying cause of your symptoms. If you want more information about a holistic approach to getting rid of heavy metals, book your FREE consultation call with Dr. Stewart.