Happy Monday to you all
I hope you got through the past two days without too many major blips. If not, don´t worry. Get back on track today and carry on. It’s all about BALANCE, and integrating as many principles into your daily routine as possible.
As we move towards the 2nd week for many of you, make a note of how you are feeling this week compared to last week. On a scale of 1-10 make a note of Feel free to share on the group page.
Hopefully any extra “tiredness” from the first week will have passed and more energy returning. 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 touched upon toxins briefly yesterday. Today we look at toxic metals and how we can try to eliminate them:
Metals are all around us.
Some are good for us, including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc are good for us. Others, like aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, uranium, and thallium, are all considered toxic and very dangerous even in low concentrations
Heavy metals accumulate in ecosystems and damage human health.
Between 2005 and 2021, emissions of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg)and Lead (Pb) declined in the EU by 37%, 47% and 42%, respectively. However there is still some way to go and the heavy metals present in the atmosphere contaminate ecosystems and organisms and leads to bioaccumulation in the food chain which then affects us by disrupting normal physiological functioning and may lead to chronic DIS -EASE. 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.
There is virtually no way to avoid heavy metal exposure since metals are natural elements everywhere. But fortunately, there are ways to dislodge them.
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 enhanced cadmium and arsenic absorption. When iron status is sufficient, it outcompetes arsenic at the site of absorption.
Calcium deficiency increases lead absorption. Additionally, when calcium is supplemented, lead absorption is reduced.
Therefore, the prevention of absorption is imperative to avoid toxic metal uptake by the body.
Strategies to prevent 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Sulphur-containing amino acids: Examples of these are taurine and methionine.
- Alpha-lipoic acid: Alpha-lipoic acid is a strong antioxidant that can renew other antioxidants in the body and chelate metals from the body.
- Selenium: Selenium may help remove mercury from the body.
