Happy Friday to you all
As we move towards the end of the 2nd week for many of you, make a note of how you are feeling this week compared to last week or the beginning of the programme. Feel free to share on the group page.
Hopefully any extra “tiredness” from the first week will have passed and more energy has returned. Make sure you are hydrated if feeling sluggish.
Today is the start of the programme for some and the end for others. Wherever, you are in the programme remember to reach out and shout where you need help. If you are finishing, please go through your toxin report and see where you score better than before.
For all of you …..
We have been focussing on toxic metals for the past couple of days. Metals are all around us. Aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, uranium, and thallium, are all considered toxic and very dangerous even in low concentrations. Even more so for children as they absorb at a high rate and have a smaller body volume. If you go back to my image of the detox greens and try to include as many as possible on a daily basis, it will help with neutralising heavy metals.
The image shows how a few of the common heavy metals affect human health.
Toxic metals are associated with diseases affecting the cardiovascular, neurological, and renal (kidney) systems. Chronic and acute exposures may also contribute to cancer, liver and kidney problems, diabetes, lower IQs, learning disabilities, and developmental delays. Understanding routes of exposure and how to minimise toxicity is paramount to avoiding harm to health.
Toxic exposures occur from agriculture, proximity to urban environments, cigarette smoking, consuming contaminated food or beverages, using certain cosmetics and cooking with inappropriate cookware.
Many toxic metals and essential metals/minerals share similar sites of absorption, they may be taken up instead of the micronutrients needed by the body. What’s more, essential micronutrient deficiencies may increase toxic metal absorption.
Iron deficiency is associated with increased cadmium and arsenic absorption. When iron status is sufficient, it outcompetes arsenic at the site of absorption. Ensure you have vitamin C with iron containing foods to enhance absorption.
Calcium deficiency increases lead absorption. Additionally, when calcium is supplemented, lead absorption is reduced. You need adequate vitamin D and Magnesium to ensure calcium is absorbed.
Strategies to reduce heavy metal burden / absorption
Chelation is a process where one compound (usually ingested) binds to the heavy metals you want out of your body. It is possible to use food chelators, which act as binding agents without pulling any good metals out of the body. This dietary approach has been shown to reduce or block heavy metal-induced toxicity and is entirely safe done at home.
Heavy Metal Binders in foods to support detoxification.
Two popular algae, chlorella and fucus (also known as bladderwrack), are considered natural mild chelators and have been found to decrease Mercury and Lead absorption. You can find these in supplement form or as a powder to add to various dishes.
Dietary sources of sulphur-containing foods (e.g., garlic and broccoli are potential chelators due to the toxic metal affinity for these peptides. As an added benefit, sulphur-containing foods increase glutathione production, which is a potent chelator involved in natural transformation and excretion of toxic compounds.
Onions. The sulphur in garlic can also work to eliminate heavy metals. Along with these, things like eggs, garlic, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage also have high sulphur content.
Cilantro / Coriander is another possible chelator and has been shown to effectively remove heavy metals (aluminium, mercury, and lead in particular) – in only two weeks. Also, because these metals can damper the immune system, cilantro is also recognised as an immune-supporting herb.
Lots of Vegetables – Cilantro (above), parsley (rich in vitamin C), alfalfa, and a blue-green algae, are three powerful chemical and heavy metal chelators. Dark green vegetables and herbs alkalise and purify the blood, making it easier for the body to rid itself of wastes with less discomfort or “healing crisis” (when the loosening of toxic debris causes a sick or flu- like reaction). You can juice these, include them in salads, and/or mix powdered forms into water or juice for a quick and effective dose.
Fibre has been shown to reduce mercury levels in the brain and blood.
Activated charcoal for general detoxifying; this includes detoxing heavy metals. I suggest 1 tablespoon once in the morning, well before breakfast for general detoxification.
Remember: Daily pooping is essential in removing these toxins that get bound up to foods in the intestines!
Some supplements that may work to chelate heavy metals from the body (I have also included food sources containing these nutrients):
- Glutathione: Certain forms of glutathione, when a person takes it other than orally, may protect cells from the oxidative damage that heavy metals can cause. Foods: Avocado, almonds, broccoli, spinach, asparagus
- Modified citrus pectin: Modified citrus pectin and substances from brown seaweeds lowered heavy metal toxicity by roughly 74% n human participants across five case studies. Food: pears, apples, lemons and limes
- Sulphur-containing amino acids: Examples of these are taurine and methionine. Food: Fish, peas/beans, nuts and seeds
- Alpha-lipoic acid: Alpha-lipoic acid is a strong antioxidant that can renew other antioxidants in the body and chelate metals from the body. Food: carrots, beets, spinach, broccoli,
- Selenium: Selenium may help remove mercury from the body. Food: brazil nuts, turkey, sunflower seeds, eggs
