Toxic Metals Video - Karima Hirani MD MPH - Holistic and Alternative Medicine Doctor

Toxic Metals Success Story and Information

Toxic metals are compounds that are inherently indestructible. They can accumulate undetected in the body over time, and as levels increase, a point is reached where toxic effects become evident.

How do I know if I have been exposed?

Red blood cell toxic elemental analysis as discussed on TV segment
Provocation challenge and urine analysis

What can I do about heavy metal toxicity?

Avoid exposure. This can be hard. Refer to the table showing common sources of toxic metals
Reduce intestinal absorption: Increase dietary fiber with beans, cooked vegetables, whole grains, fresh fruits especially apples. Pure chlorella
Increase elimination by using natural chelating elements such as methionine, Vitamin C, and alpha lipoic acid. Consider prescription chelation therapy under a trained doctor's guidance using DMSA or other chelating agents.
Add competing nutrient elements.

Toxic Metal Exposure Symptoms

Metal	Symptoms of Toxicity	Protective Effect	Method
Aluminum	Abnormal speech, myoclonic jerks, osteomalacia, progressive encephalophathy, Alzheimer's disease	Phosphorus	Lowers intestinal absorption of aluminum
Lead	Microcytic hypochromic anemia, renal dysfunction, hypertension, anorexia, muscle discomfort, constipation, metallic taste, low IQ (children).	Calcium	Lowers intestinal absorption of lead
Mercury	Mental symptoms (irritability, insomnia, fatigue, poor short-term memory), tremor, stomatitis, gingivitis, GI and renal disturbances, decreased immunity	Selenium	Protects against cellular toxic effects of mercury
Cadmium	Femoral pain, lumbago, osteopenia, renal dysfunction, hypertension, vascular disease	Zinc	Competes for cadmium binding sites
Arsenic	Peripheral arteriosclerosis ("blackfood disease"), "rice-water" stools, proteinuria, hyperkeratosis, "milk and roses" hyperpigmentation, garlic breath odor, stomatitis	DMSA	Removal or arsenic by competitive binding

Source: J.A. Bralley, R.S. Lord, Laboratory Evaluations in Molecular Medicine, 2001, Institute for Advances in Molecular Medicine.

Common Sources of Toxic Heavy Metals

Aluminum	Aluminum cooking utensils Baking powder (Al sulfate) Antacids (certain brand names, see labels) Antiperspirants Aluminum cans Drinking water (alum used as bactericide) Milk and milk products (from processing equipment)	Pesticides Alum in pickled food Nasal Spray Toothpaste Ceramics (made from AL203 clay) Dental amalgams Cigarette filters and tobacco smoke Automotive exhausts	FD&C color additives Vanilla powder Table salt, seasonings Bleached flour American cheese Medications containing kaolin (Al silicate) Sutures with wound-healing coatings Rat poisons
Cadmium	Drinking water Soft water (from galvanized pipes) Soft drinks from dispensing devices with galvanized plumbing Canned evaporated milk Processed foods Oysters, kidney, liver	Cigarette smoke, tobacco products Superphospates fertilizers Dental appliances Ceramic glazes Paint pigments Electroplating	Silver polish Polyvinyl plastics Rubber carpet backing Nickel-Cd batteries Rust-proofing materials
Lead	Automobile exhaust (not as much as after lead-free fuels) Leaded house paint Drinking water from lead plumbing Vegetables grown in lead contaminated soil Canned fruit and juices Canned evaporated milk Milk from animals grazing on lead contaminated land	Bone meal Organ meats such as liver Lead-arsenate pesticides Leaded caps on wine bottles Rainwater and snow Improperly glazed pottery Painted glassware Painted pencils Toothpaste	Newsprint Colored printed materials Eating utensils Curtain weights Putty Car batteries Cigarette ash, tobacco Lead shot, firing ranges
Mercury	Dental amalgams Broken thermometers and barometers Grain seeds treated with methyl mercury fungicide Predator fish, certain lake fish Mercuric chloride Calomel (body powder, talc, laxatives) Cosmetics (check label if possible)	Latex and solvent-thinned paints Hemorrhoid suppositories Mercurochrome, merthiolate Fabric softeners Floor waxes and polishes Air conditioner filters Wood preservatives Certain batteries	Fungicides for lawns and shrub Leather tanning products Felt Adhesives Skin lightening creams Certain ointments to treat psoriasis Photoengraving Tattooing Sewage sludge used as fertilizer
Arsenic	Rat poisons Insecticide residues on fruits and vegetables Drinking water, well water, seawater	Automobile exhaust Wine (if pesticides used containing arsenic) Household detergents	Colored chalk Sewage disposal Wood preservatives Wallpaper dye and plaster

Source: J.A. Bralley, R.S. Lord, Laboratory Evaluations in Molecular Medicine, 2001, Institute for Advances in Molecular Medicine.

Also see page on Vitamin and Mineral Supplements which contains a link to Table of Vitamins which describes the benefits of certain vitamins and minerals found in good quality MVI's.