Natural Detoxification - Herbal Heavy Metal Detoxification

Exposure can happen everyday activities & jobs

• Mercury from dental fillings

• Fish, which often contains methylmercury

• Certain supplements with heavy metal contamination

• Eating food grown in polluted soil, like chocolate with lead and cadmium

• Drinking water with heavy metals, like arsenic, which is often above safe levels in the Western US, and lead from old pipes

• Breathing air polluted by nearby industry or coal burning (mercury)

• Using lead-containing ceramics or crystal for food or drink

• Copper and chromium from prosthetic joints, such as hip replacements

• Working in arsenic-contaminated soil, especially on old apple orchards

• Firefighters, who are exposed to various toxic metals

• Dentists due to mercury in dental work

• Auto and heavy machinery mechanics, who absorb metals like lead and cadmium through the skin from petroleum products

• Working around small airplanes due to leaded avgas

• Military or police personnel exposed to lead from gunfire

• Those working near uranium mine tailings, which can expose them to thallium and uranium

• Using certain ceramic glazes or stained glass that may contain heavy metals

  Genetics and Heavy Metal Metabolism
  Genetic variations can affect how quickly individuals detoxify heavy metals, particularly those related to glutathione. As a result, people may show symptoms at different levels of exposure. Mixing heavy metals can be more harmful than exposure to a single type. The risk of toxicity increases if the person has certain nutrient deficiencies.

  Symptoms of Heavy Metal Exposure
  Symptoms arise from how toxic metals damage cells, often through increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced glutathione, overwhelming the body's defenses. This can lead to DNA damage and inflammation.

  Symptoms vary based on the type of metal, exposure level, and duration. There are two types of exposure: acute and chronic. Acute exposure is a medical emergency; seek immediate help if symptomatic.

  Acute Heavy Metal Exposure Symptoms:

  • Chills

  • Diarrhea

  • Abdominal pain

  • Nausea/Vomiting

  • Dehydration

  • Numbness in hands or feet

  • Weakness

  Chronic Heavy Metal Exposure Symptoms:

  • Alzheimer’s disease (linked to mercury and aluminum)

  • Parkinson’s disease (associated with metals like mercury and lead)

  • Chronic stress response

  • Cadmium and chromium linked to early pregnancy loss

  • Heart attacks

  • Chronic fatigue

  • Autoimmune diseases and allergies

  • Brain fog

  • Depression and anxiety

  • Digestive issues from gut microbiome disruption

    Functional Medicine Labs for Heavy Metal Exposure

    • Many people are exposed to heavy metals, but some can remove them from their bodies better than others. Testing can help identify if heavy metal exposure is an issue and is especially useful during detox programs, as it reduces some testing challenges.

      Urine tests are commonly used to check for heavy metal exposure over time, especially after eliminating an acute exposure. It is important to test urine both before and after using a chelating agent, as each test provides different information. The pre-test typically finds recent exposures, while the post-test reveals overall body burden from metals stored in tissues. Post-tests are usually done 6 to 24 hours after taking the chelator.

      Understanding the levels of different metals in both tests, along with the chelating agent used, can help determine which chelator might be most effective.

The Tri-Test includes hair, blood, and urine tests to identify mercury sources, differentiating between organic and inorganic types from fish and dental fillings. It helps assess how well the body is eliminating metals. Additionally, tests for Oxidative stress and Glutathione (from an Organic Acids test) reveal how the body handles exposure. Since certain micronutrient deficiencies can worsen heavy metal effects, a micronutrient panel may be useful for nutritional therapy. Standard tests for suspected heavy metal exposure include:

• CBC for changes in white blood cell and eosinophil counts

• Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) to check kidney and liver health

• Urine test for protein as a sign of kidney damage

A follow-up every six months is advisable for functional medicine tests.