Metal Detoxification: Support Function Otherwise Risk Severe Damage

The innundation of toxicity in today’s modern world has resulted in very high levels of toxicity among people. This includes the bombardment from toxic, heavy metals such as mercury, aluminum and lead and chemicals such as fluoride, petrochemicals, BPA and dioxins. These toxins have very real implications to our health as well as the influence these toxins have on disease processes such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

People are toxic. Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis biopsies reveal in many instances, very toxic levels of mercury, cadmium, nickel, aluminum, lead, arsenic among people. Systemic levels of toxicity can have neuro-toxic effects, causing organ and glandular dysfunction, the disruption of hormonal pathways and can wreck a person’s health and well being.

Many health-oriented people investigate methods of detoxification to rid the body of toxicity, and rightfully so. Who would want to remain poisoned by the mercury in their dental fillings and the chemicals in their air, food and water?

There is so much out there in the health world, it is often dizzying. There are many specialty nutritional supplements that are very effective at increasing the excretion of toxic metals and chemicals. Certain types of chlorella-based supplements can have a potent metal-detoxifying effect. Glutathione precursor products, and liposomal-coated glutathione products can also be very effective. High doses of certain anti-oxidants such as Alpha Lipoic Acid taken with N-Acetyl Cysteine and Vitamin C can rapidly work on metal excretion, free radical scavenging and detoxification.

However, I have witnessed many people cause more harm than good by rapidly inducing detoxification when their bodies are not ready.

Detox: Too Much Too Quick

If a person is not physically ready, the initiation of enhanced detoxification can result in numerous problems, and in some instances symptoms much worse than what was experienced previously. If a person has weakened adrenal function, stressed liver function and poor digestion and assimilation, inducing sudden metal detoxification can be very dangerous.

The rapid and sudden mobilization of toxic metals from their sites of storage can overwhelm the cells of the body and can cause overwhelming immune reactivity, renal dysfunction and neuro-endocrine disruption.

The same is true in the instance of mercury-containing dental amalgam removal. When those toxic, mercury fillings are removed, there is almost certainly going to be significant amounts of highly toxic vaporous mercury that out gasses. While I am an advocate for safe amalgam removal, this procedure should be done slowly over time. Having very good nutrition in place is the benchmark for enhancing the body’s normal biological functions and detoxification processes.

Improve Function First

Always support and improve the normal biological processes of the body:

• Cell hydration
• Digestion & assimilation
• Detoxification/elimination

Improving the function of these basic processes results in healthy and appropriate detoxification, rather than rapid and erratic detoxification. Additionally, high quality food that is in harmony with your Type of Metabolism provides the human organism with the biochemical constituents necessary to fuel your cells’ function.

The quality of the food you put into your body and how it is properly digested, assimilated and used by your cells is among the foundations for healthy cellular function.

Adequate cell hydration and charge is absolutely essential for healthy cellular function. When cells are properly hydrated and electrically charged, energy can be made efficiently, hormone synthesis can be improved upon and detoxification pathways are enhanced, including liver function.

Improve Liver Function

The liver needs water and protein to function properly. If a person is attempting to detoxify heavy metals such as mercury, it is the function of the liver that needs to be optimized. Amino acids are what fuel the liver’s detoxification pathways. Eatingadequate protein is essential for phase I and phase II liver detoxification.

Recognize also that conjugated toxins end up being excreted through bile. Low levels of bile production is correlative with not only poor fat digestion and emulsification, but also with inadequate detoxification.

Support Hormone Synthesis

When there is systemic heavy metal toxicity, the function of the endocrine system is compromised in many instances. Taking the brunt of the burden are the adrenals and the thyroid.

An often overlooked factor with regards to hormone function is cell electrolyte activity and liver function.

The ratios between numerous electrolytes is critical for maintaining homeostasis in the body, as well as hormone synthesis. The function of the adrenal glands is particularly dependent upon sodium and potassium balance, while ionized calcium functions as a secondary intracellular hormonal messenger. Improving electrolyte balance and mineralization will result in enhanced hormone and endocrine function.

The liver synthesizes cholesterol, which is the raw material for all steroidal hormones. Therefore, hormone synthesis in many instances will improve when a person improves the function of their liver, which includes proper bile acid production.

Metals Will Be Detoxified But Be Cautious

Keep the body’s basic functions working as they should. Unless your basic functions are optimized, I don’t recommend engaging in detoxification processes such as chelation therapy, chlorella and glutathione supplementation, IV antioxidant therapies, and certain liver detoxifying protocols.

There are some detoxification protocols that are safe and effective with most people. These include sauna therapy, coffee enemas and bowel cleansing.