by Maria Koropecky
“In minds crammed with thoughts, organs clogged with toxins, and bodies stiffened with neglect, there is just no space for anything else.” ~ Alison Rose Levy
Heavy metal toxicity represents an uncommon, yet clinically significant, medical condition. If unrecognized or inappropriately treated, heavy metal toxicity can result in significant morbidity and mortality.
Exposure to heavy metals can occur through the diet, from medications, from the environment and through an occupational or recreational activity.
The more commonly encountered toxic heavy metals are Arsenic, Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Iron, and Aluminum. The most common heavy metals implicated in acute and/or chronic conditions include Lead, Arsenic and Mercury.
Here is a list of heavy metals and their associated health problems.
Cadmium:
Cadmium sources of exposure: industrial occupations and workplaces, proximity to hazardous waste sites and factories, pollution, soil, fertilizers, food, water, air, cigarettes, pigments in paints, novelty items.
Cadmium is biopersistent, which means, once absorbed, it remains in the body for many years.
- High exposure can lead to obstructive lung diseases and is linked to lung cancer.
- It can also lead to kidney failure and
- Bone defects in humans and animals.
Chromium:
Chromium sources of exposure: occupational, environmental, air, water, soil, rocks, food, cement dust, asbestos, tobacco smoke, photocopier servicing, tattooing.
- Even low exposure can irritate the skin and cause ulceration.
- Long-term exposure can cause kidney and liver damage.
- It can also cause damage to circulatory and nerve tissues.
Copper:
Copper sources of exposure: environmental, eating acid foods cooked in uncoated copper cookware, excess copper in drinking water.
Those with Wilson’s disease are at greater risk for health effects from overexposure to copper.
(in high doses)
- Can cause anemia.
- Can cause liver damage.
- Can cause kidney damage.
- Can cause stomach and intestinal irritation.
Lead:
Lead causes a wide range of biological defects in humans depending on the duration and level of exposure. The developing fetus and infants are far more sensitive than adults.
Lead sources of exposure: contaminated air, water, soil, food, consumer products, occupational, industrial, paint, game hunting, retained bullets from gunshot wounds.
- Can cause problems in the synthesis of hemoglobin (the iron in red blood cells).
- Can cause damage to the kidneys.
- Can cause damage to the gut.
- Can cause damage to joints.
- Can cause damage to the reproductive system.
- Can cause damage to the nervous system.
- Studies have suggested that exposure to lead can cause up to a loss of 2 IQ points.
Mercury:
Mercury sources of exposure: button batteries, fluorescent tube lights, fever thermometers, thermostats, barometers, dental amalgams, vaccines, water, fish and seafood.
- Poisoning is associated with tremors.
- Poisoning is associated with gingivitis.
- Poisoning is associated with minor psychological changes together with spontaneous abortion and congenital malformation.
- Monomethylmercury causes damage to the brain and the central nervous system while fetal and post-natal exposures have given rise to abortion, congenital malformation and development changes in young children.
Aluminum:
Aluminum sources of exposure: buffered aspirin, digestive aids, antiperspirants, food that has been cooked or stored in aluminum pots and aluminum foil, stainless steel cookware, beer and soft drinks in aluminum cans, pickles and foods that contain sodium aluminum phosphates, a salt, that is added to cake mixes, frozen dough, pancake mixes, self-rising flours, processed cheese and cheese foods.
- Exposure is associated with the development of bone disorders including fractures, osteopenia and osteomalacia.
Arsenic:
Arsenic sources of exposure: occupational, ground water, drinking water, air, food (meat, fish, and poultry), pesticides.
(exposure of high levels):
- Can cause death.
- Can cause kidney damage.
- Can cause liver damage.
Manganese:
Manganese sources of exposure: welding, cocaine, drinking water.
- Is known to block the movement of calcium through calcium channels.
- Chronic exposure results in CNS dopamine depletion which duplicates almost all of the symptomology of Parkinson’s Disease.
Iron:
Iron sources of exposure: overuse of iron supplements.
- High levels of iron found in blood suggest a high risk of adult onset diabetes, mellitus or type-1 diabetes, especially in women.
Detoxification options
There are ways to detoxify from heavy metals. If you’re concerned about the presence of heavy metals in your body, please make an appointment for a wellness consultation with Dr. Oksana Sawiak at the Integrative Wellness and Detox Centre in Norval, ON. 905-279-6619. She will recommend a treatment plan and will help guide you to recovery.