ENVIRONMENT

Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic are so ubiquitous in the environment that virtually everyone is contaminated with them to some degree. But that doesn't mean they're nothing to worry about; all four are confirmed or probable carcinogens and can have wide-ranging toxic effects, from nervous system and hormone problems to immunological and cardiovascular damage.¹

Our bodies have a built-in detoxification system to get rid of these metals, along with other harmful substances, but various factors such as genes, nutrition and lifestyle can impact how well this system works. High exposure to heavy metals or other pollutants, for example, can overwhelm the system and impair the body's ability to eliminate them.²

The good news is there are a number of natural, gentle ways to help the body with the removal of heavy metals. Here's a selection of what works.

Reduce your exposure
For starters, try to work out how you could be exposed to lead and mercury and take steps to minimize further contamination. The mercury is likely from your diet. Fish and seafood can be polluted by mercury, so consider cutting these from your diet (you can take an omega-3 supplement to ensure you're not missing out on essential fatty acids). As for lead, this can be found in old paint, drinking water, cosmetics, soil, vintage furniture and household dust. Simply using a water filter (try the ZeroWater jug), vacuuming regularly and installing an air purifier can help to reduce lead levels in your home—see our June 2019 issue for a comprehensive guide.

Sweat it out
Anything that makes you sweat—exercise, saunas, steam baths—can help you eliminate all kinds of toxic substances from the body, including heavy metals.³ Indeed, mercury and lead have been found to be excreted through sweat.⁴

Many detox experts, including editorial panel member Dr Sarah Myhill, recommend far-infrared saunas in particular, which use infrared light waves to heat the body. She suggests short sessions daily, just to the point of sweating, but start with two a week and build up gradually. Always follow with a shower to prevent the reabsorption of any nasties, and hydrate and take a multi-mineral supplement to replace lost fluids and minerals.

Health spas often have far-infrared saunas, but a more convenient option is a portable sauna for home use, available from companies such as Firzone (www.firzone.co.uk) and Durherm (www.durherm.com).

Opt for algae
The popular supplements chlorella and spirulina, two different forms of algae, can both be used to help with the natural detox of heavy metals. Although clinical trials are lacking, animal studies show that chlorella can boost the removal of cadmium,⁵ lead⁶ and mercury,⁷ while spirulina has been found to absorb lead from wastewater and other liquids.⁸ However, as the algae itself could be contaminated with heavy metals, make sure you choose a high-quality product, such as Sun Chlorella or Royal Green Spirulina.

Chomp on cilantro
Also known as coriander or Chinese parsley, cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) appears to assist with the removal of mercury and lead from the body^.9 It's a popular ingredient in commercial detox supplements (see below), or simply add it to recipes such as soups, sauces and salads.

Monitor your minerals
A deficiency in essential minerals such as selenium, zinc and calcium can lead to greater absorption and toxicity of heavy metals, and some heavy metals can actually cause you to become depleted in certain minerals.¹⁰ So it's vital to make sure you're getting enough minerals. Check the results of your hair test, which likely tested for minerals as well as heavy metals, and supplement with any minerals you are low in. Ideally, work with a qualified practitioner to work out which mineral supplements and dosages are right for you, but a high-quality multi-mineral formula would be a good start.

Top up your vitamins
Being deficient in vitamins C, B1 and B6 may make you more vulnerable to the toxic effects of heavy metals,¹¹ so consider supplementing with these nutrients. In one study of smokers, a daily vitamin C supplement (1 g/day) resulted in an 80 percent decrease in blood lead levels after just a week.¹²

Suggested dosages: 1-4 g/day vitamin C plus a high-potency B complex vitamin

Eat a balanced diet
A healthy, balanced diet that includes plenty of protein, fiber and essential vitamins and minerals is crucial for an efficient detoxification system, so focus on eating well. Specific foods and drinks that may help with heavy metal toxicity include garlic, onions, tomatoes, grape juice and green tea.¹³

Try commercial products
Numerous products are available to buy to help the body with the removal of heavy metals and other toxic substances, but one that's been shown to work in scientific studies is HMD (Heavy Metal Detox; www.detoxmetals.com).
Made up of homeopathic chlorella and its growth factor along with cilantro leaf tincture, the formula was tested in a trial of 350 metal foundry workers.¹⁴

Taking 40-60 drops of the liquid three times a day led to the clearance of aluminum, antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, thallium and uranium from the workers' bodies—without removing any essential minerals.

Other detox products worth trying include Bioray NDF (Natural Detox Formula; www.bioray.com) and Toxaprevent, made by Nouveau Health (www.toxaprevent.co.uk).

References
1 J Environ Public Health, 2012; 2012: 356798
2 Altern Med Rev, 1998; 3: 187-98
3 Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 2011; 61: 344-57
4 J Environ Public Health, 2012; 2012: 184745
5 Nutr Res Pract, 2009; 3: 15-22
6 Toxicol Ind Health, 2009; 25: 551-6
7 J Toxicol Sci, 2010; 35: 101-5
8 J Zhejiang Univ Sci B, 2005; 6: 171-4; Int J Phytoremediation, 2016; 18: 184-9
9 Acupunct Electrother Res, 1995; 20: 195-229; Acupunct Electrother Res, 1996; 21: 133-60
10 Environ Health Perspect, 1998; 106 Suppl 1: 203-16
11 Environ Health Perspect, 1979; 29: 95-104; JAMA, 1999; 281: 2289-93
12 J Am Coll Nutr, 1999; 18: 166-70
13 Nutrients, 2 015; 7: 552-71
14 Int J Complement Alt Med, 2018; 11: 262-7

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