Heavy metals are omnipresent in our environment. Their absorption and
accumulation in our bodies can have harmful consequences for our health. Detoxification (or detoxification) of heavy metals is a means of promoting their elimination.
In this article, we'll explore the main heavy metals present in our daily lives, their harmful effects on our bodies, and ways to detoxify.
What are heavy metals?
Heavy metals are metallic elements with a high density greater than 5g/cm³. Although they occur naturally in the environment, they tend to accumulate in air, water and soil as a result of human activities such as industry, agriculture and the use of fossil fuels.
Heavy metals can be divided into two categories:
- Essential metals, also known as trace elements, such as iron, copper and zinc:
are non-toxic in low doses and necessary to our bodies. However, at
high concentrations, they can become toxic.
- Non-essential metals, such as aluminum, lead, mercury and cadmium:
do not play an essential biological role in the human body, and their toxicity occurs at
relatively low concentrations.
The main heavy metals in our environment
The accumulation of heavy metals in our environment is mainly the result of our industrial activities
. They are most often disseminated in the air in the form of fine particles that we inhale or ingest through our food and drinking water.
Here are the main heavy metals and their harmful effects:
Arsenic: Used in tanneries, in the treatment of hides and skins, as a pigment in certain paints, as well as in certain pesticides and weapons cartridges. It acts as an endocrine disruptor and has carcinogenic properties. Arsenic poisoning can cause severe digestive disorders (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain), convulsions and delirium.
Cadmium: Produced by agriculture, cadmium is found in fertilizers and sludge
. It is also produced by our combustion activities (combustion of petroleum products
, coal, incineration of household waste, steel-making activities), and is used in cigarettes and batteries. Toxic in low doses, it promotes skeletal problems by interacting with calcium (bone porosity, fractures), as well as pulmonary and renal problems, and increases the risk of cancer.
Mercury: Released into water by our industrial activities, it is found in our food chain
(predatory fish, crustaceans, shellfish). It is also used in
dental amalgams. In vapor form, it is toxic to the respiratory tract, while in dissolved form, it promotes neurological, renal and endocrine disorders.
Lead: Found in old paint, lead pipes and certain toys, lead can cause neurological problems and affect children's development. Lead poisoning refers to lead intoxication. Dangerous to health, it causes reversible disorders (digestive problems, anemia), but above all irreversible damage to the nervous system.
The health risks of heavy metals
Ingestion, inhalation, skin contact - our exposure to heavy metals is daily and
significant. The harmful effects of heavy metals vary according to the type of metal, the dose, the duration
of exposure, and individual sensitivity.
Overall, heavy metals are the cause of various disorders that can lead to serious
health problems.
Oxidative stress: the cause of premature aging.
Chronic inflammation: the cause of cardiovascular disease, arthritis and other
health problems.
Nervous system disorders: with cognitive and memory problems, as well as behavioural changes.
Hormonal disruption: with damage to the endocrine system, hormonal dysfunction and fertility problems.
Their accumulation in organs such as the liver, brain and kidneys, with the long-term risk of serious dysfunction.
Heavy metal detoxification, or how to eliminate them?
While heavy metal poisoning requires medical treatment (via the chelation process, in which a chelating agent binds the unwanted metal and facilitates its elimination), it is possible to limit the accumulation of heavy metals in the body on a daily basis.
Here are a few best practices:
Avoiding exposure: We can reduce our exposure to heavy metals by giving up smoking, choosing stainless steel cookware, aluminum-free personal care products and limiting consumption of foods that are sources of heavy metals (fish, shellfish).
A diet rich in antioxidants: antioxidants help neutralize the free radicals generated by heavy metals. Choose antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables, preferably organically grown and free from pesticides that are sources of heavy metals.
Supplementation with detoxifying foods: these include chlorella,
spirulina, garlic, kale, spinach, turmeric and ginger. These foods are capable of capturing traces of heavy metals in our bodies and promoting their elimination via the liver's detoxification process.
Hydration: drinking enough water helps eliminate toxins, including heavy metals, through the urine.
Overall, with the liver, our body has an effective means of ensuring its daily detoxification from heavy metals. We can further support our liver and our whole organism by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, with changes in our diet, the consumption of detoxifying compounds, and the reduction of our environmental exposure.
In the event of massive heavy metal poisoning, however, it is imperative to consult
a doctor as a matter of urgency.