Metal Toxicity

Background
Metal toxicity refers to the accumulation of harmful metals in the body at levels enough to interfere with the body function at cellular level. Even minute quantities can poison and disrupt a wide range of important reactions leading to many symptoms and diseases.
The target organs where they tend to be deposited are kidneys, liver, brain and nerve tissue, joints, pancreas, adrenal glands and muscles.

The symptoms experienced vary according to the individuals’ level of exposure and intake, the organs or tissues where most deposited/accumulated, individuals’ nutritional status, efficiency of metabolism and capacity for detoxification of the particular metal. Poor nutritional status, for example mineral, vitamin and phytonutrient deficiencies and imbalances, makes the effect of metal toxicity worse and in turn metal toxicity exacerbates deficiencies and imbalances.
The most harmful common toxic metals are the heavy metals below:

• Lead
• Mercury
• Cadmium

When they reach toxic levels in the body these metals can cause havoc by disrupting metabolic processes and many other types of reactions, some of which are listed below: Nutrient absorption, uptake and utilization in the cell

• Interference with neurological and nervous function.
• Disruption of cell membranes and damage to cell contents.
• Damaging or inhibiting enzyme activity and so biochemical reactions.

In the last 40 - 50 years, use of heavy metals in industrial processing has contributed to the dramatically increased human exposure to them.


LEAD

The Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of Lead toxicity are listed below:

• Anaemia
• Anorexia
• Anxiety
• Headaches
• Hypertension
• Confusion
• Depression
• Poor concentration.
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Tremors
• Restlessness
• Hyperactivity
• Bone pain
• Irritability

The Causes
Those who are at increased risk to lead toxicity are those involved in one of more of the activities and situations below:

• Adults exposed to lead based paints from which lead can be easily absorbed through the skin.
• Young children are at high risk from eating dirt, paper, accidental consumption of paint, chewing on painted items.
• Consuming lead contaminated canned food.
• Consumption of organ meats especially pig or beef livers and their products.
• Using lead containing glazes in pottery or use of glazed pottery items.
• Home decorating activities.
• Breathing in air polluted by lead from cigarette smoke, smelters and burning coal.
• Cigarette smokers, active and passive.
• Using lead containing cosmetics and hair dyes.

Treatment
Toxicity caused by lead can be addressed successfully using individual nutritional supplementation and a therapeutic diet to promote their detoxification and elimination from the body.
Those with any of the above toxicity symptoms or who are at high risk of exposure might like to consider **Nutritional consultation.


MERCURY

The Symptoms

• Anaemia
• Ataxia
• Colic pain
• Depression
• Dementia
• Anorexia
• Colitis
• Dermatitis
• Skin irritation
• Fatigue
• Lack of energy
• Headaches,
• Poor coordination
• Hypertension
• Insomnia
• Drowsiness
• Irritability
• Metallic taste
• Numbness
• Tremors
• Vision impairment
• Hearing impairment
• Excessive salivation
• Loss of teeth

The Causes
Mercury accumulates in the brain, damaging the nerves and disrupting mental function. The people at increased risk of developing mercury toxicity are those exposed in one or more of the following ways:

• Consumption of large canned fish such as swordfish and tuna from polluted water.
• Water contaminated by industrial waste leaking into lakes and rivers.
• Coal burning.
• Industrial workers involved in the manufacture of dry cells, thermometers, and other mercury containing products.
• Leaking dental mercury amalgam fillings.
• Dental workers who prepare mercury amalgam fillings.
• Use of adulterated Ayuvedic or Chinese medicine

Treatment
Toxicity caused by mercury can be addressed successfully using individual nutritional supplementation and a therapeutic diet to promote their detoxification and elimination from the body.
Those with any of the above toxicity symptoms or who are at high risk of exposure might like to consider a **Nutritional consultation.


CADMIUM

The Symptoms

• Loss of hair
• Anaemia
• Heart problems
• Respiratory problems
• Emphysema
• Liver malfunction
• Sore joints
• Back pain
• Pain in legs
• Yellow teeth
• Hyperactivity
• Dry and scaly skin

The Causes
Cadmium depletes the body of zinc, is deposited in the kidneys and arteries blood pressure and arteriosclerosis. The people at increased risk of cadmium toxicity are:

• Cigarette smokers.
• Those with zinc deficiency.
• Those residing close to galvanizing works.

Treatment
Toxicity caused by cadmium can be addressed successfully using individual nutritional
Those with any of the above toxicity symptoms or who are at high risk of exposure might like to consider **Nutritional consultation.

Other Common Toxic Elements:
Aluminium and arsenic are not heavy metals but are common toxic elements associated with many symptoms and diseases. Like heavy metals, they disrupt important biochemical and physiological processes in the body.


ALUMINIUM

The Symptoms
The following are the symptoms and signs exhibited in aluminium toxicity:

• Anaemia.
• Anorexia.
• Headaches.
• Pain in bones and muscle.
• Dementia.
• Colic.
• Ataxia.
• Liver dysfunction.
• Weakness.
• Psychosis.
• Dyspnoea.

The Causes
Small quantities of aluminium are found in many everyday products. Long term consumption or exposure to these products can lead to increased levels of aluminium in the body. Some of these products are:

• Processed foods, cheeses, dairy products, infant milk formulas, fruit juices, soft drinks and the use of aluminium pots to cook acidic foods such fruit and tomatoes.
• In cosmetics and medication such as antiperspirants, moisturisers and lotions, and antacids.

Other sources of aluminium are the weathering of rocks, agricultural processing and metal work.

Treatment
Toxicity caused by aluminium can be addressed successfully using individual nutritional supplementation and a therapeutic diet to promote their detoxification and elimination from the body. Those with any of the above toxicity symptoms or who are at high risk of exposure might like to consider **Nutritional consultation.


ARSENIC
Arsenic is not a metal but is a harmful substance.

The Symptoms
The symptoms of arsenic poisoning include the following:

• Anorexia.
• Hair loss.
• White streaks on nails.
• Bad breath.
• Hypo pigmentation.
• Low blood pressure.
• Chest pain.
• Nausea and diarrhoea.

The Causes
Arsenic is deposited in the liver, kidneys and skin and interferes with metabolic processes. Arsenic in the human body comes from various sources such as:

• Smelting plants producing copper, zinc and lead.
• Glass and chemical manufacture.
• Paints.
• Electronic and photoelectric equipment use.

Treatment
Toxicity caused by arsenic can be addressed successfully using individual nutritional supplementation and a therapeutic diet to promote their detoxification and elimination from the body. Those with any of the above toxicity symptoms or who are at high risk of exposure might like to consider a **Nutritional consultation.

Macro Minerals and Trace Minerals
Macro minerals are required by the body in large quantities, serving as electrolytes in the blood plasma and in the tissues as well as being structural mineral in the bone. The macro minerals are Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Sodium.
Trace minerals are required by the body in small quantities to support a wide range of important body processes. These minerals include Copper, Chromium, Manganese, Zinc, Selenium and Iron.
When macro or trace minerals are deficient, symptoms and disease will develop indicating that the vital cellular processes they support have been disrupted. However, if their requirements are exceeded through the diet, inappropriate supplementation or both, imbalances develop and vital cellular processes are disrupted and symptoms of toxicity and deficiencies will develop.
To ensure balance and optimal function, supplementation with minerals and other nutrients should be based on information from nutritional investigation and should be done with the guidance of a qualified nutritionist.

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