Toxic heavy metals are pervasive in modern life, infiltrating our air, food, water, and everyday products. While some exposure is inevitable, it’s crucial to understand where these metals come from, their impact on health, and how we can reduce our exposure. Here are the seven most prevalent toxic heavy metals affecting human health today.
1. Lead
Exposure
Lead is found in a wide variety of products and environments. Despite regulations limiting its use, we are still exposed to lead through old plumbing pipes, lead-based paints (in homes built before 1978), contaminated soil, pottery, and even cosmetics and toys. It can also be present in certain types of food due to contaminated soil and water and ultra processing.
Even though lead is no longer allowed to be used in construction and paints, it is still found in many paints used for things like toys and dishes that are handled daily. This is a large and growing concern.
For more detailed information on this, I recommend following @LeadSafeMama on Facebook. Her name is Tamara Rubin. Her children suffered permanent brain damage due to being lead poisoned as children. She’s made it her life’s mission to bring awareness to this topic and it’s been quite eye-opening to learn all the things lead is hiding in!
Health Effects
Lead is a potent neurotoxin, especially dangerous for children. It can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral issues. In adults, lead exposure is linked to high blood pressure, kidney damage, and reproductive issues. Chronic exposure can lead to cognitive decline and mood disorders.
Diseases Attributed to Lead Exposure
- Developmental disorders (e.g., ADHD)
- Hypertension
- Kidney disease
- Anemia
- Infertility
How to Avoid It
- Use water filters designed to remove lead.
- Test older homes for lead-based paint.
- Avoid products that may contain lead, such as dished, pottery, certain ceramics, toys, cosmetics and yes many food items.
2. Mercury
Exposure
Mercury is often implicated as one of the most dangerous heavy metals to mankind since it can damage both your brain and body. It is found in thousands of common items like contact lens solutions, nasal sprays, prescription drugs, vaccines, fungicides, pesticides, fertilizers, as well as from industrial smokestacks spewing it into the air we breathe.
This means the runoff from these factories infect nearly everything we consume that grows from our soil, air, and seas. This is also why it’s so crucial to be weary of how much and what types of fish you are consuming. The larger fish to watch out for to reduce your mercury exposure are shark, tuna, swordfish, tilefish, and bluefish.
Yet, another common exposure to mercury is through having cavities filled with the silver dental amalgams. These metal fillings contain toxic levels of mercury, which means every time you chew food or brush your teeth that mercury vapors are being released and going straight into your bloodstream.
Health Effects
Mercury can damage the nervous system and is particularly harmful to fetuses and young children. It is known to impair cognitive function causing things like ADHD and Autism, cause tremors, and lead to memory loss. High mercury levels are also linked to mood swings, muscle weakness, and vision problems.
Diseases Attributed to Mercury Exposure
- Neurological disorders (e.g., autism, ADHD, Alzheimer’s)
- Immune system dysfunction
- Cardiovascular disease
- Loss of peripheral vision
- “Pins and needles” feelings, usually in the hands, feet, and around the mouth
- Lack of coordination of movements
- Impairment of speech, hearing, walking
- Muscle weakness
How to Avoid It
- Limit consumption of high-mercury fish
- Opt for smaller fish like salmon or sardines
- Be cautious of mercury-containing dental fillings (amalgams)
3. Arsenic
Exposure
Arsenic is commonly found in contaminated water and soil, especially in areas with high levels of industrial pollution or improper waste disposal. It is also present in some rice products, poultry, and fruit juices due to contaminated soil and water.
Arsenic can make its way into the ocean from coal burning power plants and their toxic smoke. It then pollutes the waters and allows crustaceans and other bottom feeders like lobsters, crabs, clams, oysters, scallops, and muscles to absorb higher levels of arsenic as well.
Health Effects
Arsenic is a known carcinogen, contributing to the development of various cancers. Long-term exposure can cause skin lesions, disrupt the gut, nervous system dysfunction, damage to reproductive organs, cause cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Even at low levels, arsenic exposure has been linked to developmental effects and decreased intelligence in children.
Diseases Attributed to Arsenic Exposure
- Cancer (lung, bladder, skin)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
How to Avoid It
- Use water filtration systems that remove arsenic.
- Limit consumption of rice or choose rice from regions with low arsenic contamination as well as seafood.
- Choose organic, arsenic-free chicken.
4. Cadmium
Exposure
Cadmium is one of the lesser known toxic heavy metals but still very dangerous to our health. Aside from foods, it is commonly found in batteries, fertilizers, plastics, nail polish, paints, and soil. It enters the environment through industrial waste, tobacco smoke, and contaminated water. Plants such as tobacco and certain vegetables can also accumulate cadmium from contaminated soil.
Health Effects
Cadmium primarily affects the kidneys and bones, leading to kidney disease and osteoporosis. It is also a known carcinogen, contributing to lung and prostate cancer. Chronic exposure to cadmium can cause respiratory issues and lung damage. It is also known to stimulate your adrenal cortex, leading to greater stress levels and higher cortisol.
Cadmium can cause deficiencies in magnesium and zinc which in turn can affect the muscles, gut, immunity, and tissue repair. This includes the hardening of arteries and other cardiovascular based issues due to increased calcium deposits in the arteries.
Diseases Attributed to Cadmium Exposure
- Lung cancer
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Osteoporosis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
How to Avoid It
- Avoid smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Choose organic produce to reduce exposure to cadmium from fertilizers.
- Use water filters to remove cadmium from drinking water or a molecular hydrogen water ionizer like this one.
5. Aluminum
Exposure
Aluminum is one of the most pervasive heavy metals on earth. It’s one that can easily cause toxic overload. The reason it has become such an issue is because it’s found in so many things such as, antiperspirants, cosmetics, cans, high doses in vaccines, dental work, cookware, food packaging (e.g., aluminum foil), added to food, and tap water.
You’re likely having multiple exposures to this every single day, so it’s imperative for your health to do what you can to avoid exposure.
Health Effects
Aluminum exposure has been linked to neurological disorders, as it can accumulate in the brain. It may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairments like ADHD and autism. Aluminum can also disrupt the body’s ability to detoxify itself, potentially leading to kidney and bone diseases.
Diseases Attributed to Aluminum Exposure
- Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, memory loss
- Bone disorders (osteomalacia)
- Kidney disease
- MS, ALS, and Parkinson’s
How to Avoid It
- Avoid cooking with aluminum cookware.
- Limit use of aluminum foil and antiperspirants and other personal care items that contain aluminum.
- Eat fewer processed foods, especially those in aluminum packaging and read food labels.
- Limit or avoid vaccines. If you want to learn more about this, you can read about them here.
6. Bromines
Exposure
Bromine and its compounds are found in many everyday products such as flame retardants, certain pesticides, medicines, and some personal care products.
Brominated vegetable oils (BVO) are also added to soft drinks as an emulsifier. Bromine exposure can occur through food, water, and household items. It is used often as an additive in bread to aid in the yeast rising, even though it is well known to be highly toxic to humans.
Health Effects
Bromines can disrupt the endocrine system, particularly thyroid function, as they interfere with iodine absorption. This can lead to hypothyroidism and hormonal imbalances. Long-term exposure to bromine compounds has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders and respiratory issues. High levels of bromine exposure can cause skin irritation, headaches, and memory problems.
Do you know anyone with a cherry angioma? These and other so-called “age related” skin marks have been directly correlated to elevated bromine levels.
Diseases Attributed to Bromine Exposure
- Hypothyroidism
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Respiratory issues
- Metabolic disorders causing weight gain
- Low mood, low energy, low vitality disorders
How to Avoid It
- Avoid products containing brominated flame retardants.
- Check soft drinks for the presence of brominated vegetable oils (BVO).
- Use natural alternatives to pesticides and flame retardants in your home.
- Use naturally made personal care products.
7. Chromium (Hexavalent)
Exposure
Hexavalent chromium is used in industrial processes, such as electroplating, stainless steel production, and leather tanning. It can contaminate drinking water and is present in some pigments and dyes. While trivalent chromium is a necessary nutrient, hexavalent chromium is highly toxic.
Health Effects
Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen, particularly associated with lung cancer. It also causes skin irritation, respiratory problems, and digestive issues when ingested or inhaled. Long-term exposure can lead to liver and kidney damage.
Diseases Attributed to Hexavalent Chromium Exposure
- Lung cancer
- Liver and kidney damage
- Asthma
How to Avoid It
- Use water filters to remove hexavalent chromium.
- Avoid products with chromium-based pigments and dyes.
- Be cautious around industrial areas known for chromium pollution.
Final Thoughts
I hope at this point you are starting to realize how everything that’s labeled a “disease” has its root problem in much deeper imbalances and toxicities within the body.
While it’s impossible to eliminate exposure to these toxic heavy metals entirely, being mindful of their sources and taking proactive steps to reduce exposure can significantly lower your health risks.
Regularly detoxifying your body, maintaining a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, and using protective measures in your environment are essential strategies in combating the harmful effects of heavy metal exposure.
If you want to take steps to detox, you can find my favorite heavy metal detox supplement here.
References
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). (2021). Toxicological Profile for Lead. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Mercury and health.
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). (2023). Arsenic.
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). (2022). Cadmium and its compounds.
- Alzheimer’s Association. (2021). Aluminum and Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2023). Brominated flame retardants and health impacts.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2023). Chromium in Drinking Water.
