Safeguarding you and your kids from Heavy Metals + Smoking Tooth video
Metals exist all around us. They occur naturally in the environment and can be found in a variety of food sources. Many metals pose no threat to health but certain heavy metals—ie. ones that are literally heavy, dense, and found in the Earth's crust—have been associated with a range of illnesses in children and adults.
In 2019, the National Poisoning Data System (NPDS) of the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) reported 8,039 single exposures to heavy metals. Of those exposures, 2497 were in children younger than 6 years, and 3534 were in patients older than 19 years.
WHAT IS HEAVY METAL POISONING, AND SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?
Heavy metal poisoning can happen when you’re exposed to a lot of certain types of metals. It makes you sick and affects the way your body works.
Heavy metals, like arsenic, lead, mercury, and others, are all around us. They’re in the ground we walk on, in the water we drink, and in the products we use every day. But high levels of most heavy metals can cause health problems.
The poisoning can happen if you eat or drink something tainted with heavy metals or if you breathe in contaminated dust or fumes.
The four main heavy metals that can cause health issues are Mercury, Lead, Arsenic, and Cadmium. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration monitors levels of these "big four" heavy metals in food and drinking water, but some sources inevitably fall through the cracks. (Take the high levels of lead in water at Flint, Michigan, for example.)
HEAVY METAL POISONING CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS:
You might get heavy metal poisoning if you:
Work in a factory that uses heavy metals
Have old amalgam tooth fillings
Breathe in old Lead paint dust when you fix up your home
Eat fish caught in polluted areas, or eat fish that have high levels of mercury
Use dinnerware that hasn’t been coated well enough to prevent heavy metals from contaminating food
Drink water contaminated with heavy metal
HEAVY METAL POISONING SYMPTOMS:
The signs can vary, depending on the metal and the amount.
Acute poisoning. This happens if you get a high dose at one time, like in a chemical accident in a factory or after a child swallows a toy made with lead. Symptoms usually come on quickly, and you may:
Feel confused
Go numb
Feel sick and throw up
Pass out
Chronic poisoning. You get this after contact with a low dose over a long time. As the metal builds up in your body, you can get sick. Symptoms come on slowly and can include:
Weakness and tiredness
Headache
Achy joints and muscles
Constipation
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Dehydration
Candida
Tingling
Anemia
Kidney damage
Liver damage
Lung irritation
Brain problems
Memory Loss
Horizontal lines on your nails
Behavioral changes
Weak or malformed bones
Miscarriages
Premature Labor
WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID MERCURY:
Mercury is a toxic metal that can cause varying health effects if the amount you're exposed to surpasses threshold levels. These variations depend on the type of mercury, whether you're considered highly sensitive to the effects, and how long you're exposed to this heavy metal.
Common sources of mercury exposure include mining, production, and transportation of mercury, as well as mining and refining of gold and silver ores. High mercury exposure results in permanent nervous system and kidney damage.
Exposure to methylmercury in food can cause neurological and behavioral issues, such as the following:
Anxiety
Mood swings
Memory issues
Tremors
Depression
Numbness or feeling of pins and needles
Loss of motor skills
Troubles breathing
Vision and speech impairment
Muscle weakness
Trouble with walking
If exposed to high amounts of mercury —from food or other sources—you could then develop severe or even fatal effects in your kidney, lungs, digestive tract, or cardiovascular system.
Here are several sources of heavy metals to look out for and avoid consuming in high doses.
MERCURY IN SILVER DENTAL AMALGAM FILLINGS:
Many people still have very dangerous silver amalgam dental fillings in their mouths. Mercury gas is released each time the teeth are brushed, flossed, or cleaned, gum is chewed, or food is eaten. Mercury gas is odorless, colorless, tasteless and toxic. As shown in this video, the harmful gas can only be seen under a black light (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L9SF2ALrII ).
The mercury vapor out-gassing from a silver amalgam dental filling has outraged the world since it was first demonstrated, and most dentists have changed to using a non-silver type of filling material.
If you know of anyone with silver amalgam dental fillings, please DO NOT advise them to rush out and have their silver fillings taken out by their dentist. There are IAOMT dentists that specialize in removing silver fillings in a way that is safe and non-harmful to the patient and healthcare provider. For removal, the dentist must use the IAOMT Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (SMART) system.
Here is a link to the NJ accredited IAOMT (SMART) dentists: (https://iaomt.org/for-patients/search/member_tag/new-jersey-accredited )
MERCURY IN FISH:
Eating foods like fish and seafood is important because they give you plenty of omega-3s, vitamins D and B12, and other nutrients. While you don't want to eat foods high in mercury, you should still eat seafood to enjoy the health benefits.
The safe level for consuming seafood is 1 part per million (ppm) of mercury per week. To stay below this threshold, choose seafood low in mercury and keep your consumption to one or two meals per week.
Mercury should be of special concern for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, who can pass the heavy metals along to their babies.
Whether you're pregnant or not, you'll want to avoid eating mercury-laden fish. Larger fish such as shark, swordfish, tuna, sea bass, halibut, and marlin tend to accumulate more mercury from the ocean over time and should be avoided in high quantities.
Seafood with high Mercury Levels
Most food sources high in mercury come from saltwater species like fish and other sea animals, but freshwater fish contain mercury, too. While you could ingest small amounts of mercury from food crops, your highest exposure comes from some types of fish.
Here are eight foods you should avoid to reduce your exposure to dietary mercury.
Swordfish
A predatory fish that inhabits several ocean zones, swordfish is one of the highest sources of mercury. It has an average mercury load measuring 0.995 ppm and highest loads measuring 3.22 ppm.Shark
The shark has a similarly high mercury load to that of swordfish. As predatory species, sharks generally have an average mercury measurement of 0.979 ppm, with higher measurements reaching 4.54 ppm.Tilefish
Tilefish typically live in two main zones: the Atlantic ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf of Mexico tilefish are very high in mercury, with average load measuring 1.123 ppm and a highest reading of 3.73 ppm. While the Atlantic coast tilefish has lower averages of 0.144 ppm, it can reach 0.533 ppm.King Mackerel
Next up is king mackerel, which averages 0.73 ppm of mercury. This species can reach 1.67 ppm in some cases.Bigeye Tuna
The second-largest species of tuna after bluefin, bigeye tuna can hold an average mercury load of 0.689 ppm and a high load of 1.816 ppm.Marlin
This fast-swimming species can accumulate an average mercury reading of 0.485 ppm and higher readings of 0.92 ppm.Orange Roughy
The orange roughy is a deep-sea species that can live for 100 years or more. This lengthy lifespan can lead to high amounts of mercury, with average loads measuring 0.571 ppm and highest measurements of 1.12 ppm.Chilean Sea Bass
Another slow-growing species, the chilean sea bass lives in the deep waters and can reach 50 years of age. While it has average mercury loads of 0.354, it can reach up to 2.18 ppm of mercury.
Mercury - Reduced Alternative Seafood Options
Generally, smaller fish that are lower down on the food chain - such as sardines, anchovies, and mackerel - tend to be lower in heavy metals. Here are four types of seafood that contain less mercury.
Salmon
Farmed salmon has omega-3s, but wild-caught salmon is a richer source of these heart-healthy and brain-healthy fatty acids. Salmon has an average mercury load of 0.014 ppm and can reach measurements up to 0.086 ppm.Oyster
Oysters are rich in several key nutrients, especially vitamin D, selenium, copper, iron, zinc, omega-3s, and vitamin B12. In terms of mercury, they have an average amount of just 0.012 ppm, with the highest measurement of 0.25 ppm.Scallops
Scallops are another type of seafood rich in nutrients like vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and selenium. They're also a good source of iodine, phosphorus, and protein. Scallops are one of the species with the lowest amount of mercury, with average amounts of 0.003 ppm and higher amounts at 0.033 ppm.Shrimp
This seafood is a good source of astaxanthin, a carotenoid that can support your nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Shrimp is also a good source of selenium, vitamin B12, copper, and omega-3 fatty acids. The average mercury load is just 0.009 ppm, with higher measurements of 0.05 ppm.
LEAD FOUND IN WATER, PAINT AND BONE BROTH:
Occupational exposure to lead is one of the most prevalent overexposures. Industries with high potential exposures include construction work, most smelter operations, radiator repair shops, and firing ranges.
Drinking water with lead in it can lead to cognitive problems and slower development in kids. Infants who drink formula mixed with tap water are at especially high risk if their drinking water is contaminated.
Lead has been banned from plumbing for years, but it still gets into the water supply from old lines. Some water filters will remove it from your water, but if you’re concerned about the level of lead in your drinking supply, you can request a water test.
Bone broth is a popular ingredient thought to lower inflammation, nourish skin, and promote gastrointestinal health. However, when animals (and humans) are exposed to certain metals—particularly lead—they often store it within bone materials.
Not much research has looked into heavy metals in bone broth. There was one small study that measured levels of lead in broth made from the bones of organic chickens. The broth was found to have “markedly high lead concentrations” compared to water cooked in the same cookware.
This isn't to say you should avoid bone broth altogether, but like with anything else, consume it in moderation. I am unaware of any commercially available bone broth or collagen powder that test for lead levels.
CADMIUM AND HEAVY METALS IN E-CIGARETTES:
Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that has been linked to increased risk of certain cancers. Cigarette smoking, in particular, is known to expose people to high levels of cadmium.
Cadmium is an extremely toxic metal commonly found in industrial workplaces, particularly where any ore is being processed or smelted. Several deaths from acute exposure have occurred among welders who have unsuspectingly welded on cadmium-containing alloys or with silver solders.
More recently, cadmium has also been identified in e-cigarettes. A 2019 study found concentrations of other heavy metals (such as lead and copper) in certain vapors produced by e-cigarettes too. Some states like California are looking to label these products as potentially carcinogenic, similar to the labeling required in Canada.
ARSENIC IN RICE:
Exposure to inorganic arsenic has been linked to heart disease, kidney disease, brain disease, and diabetes.
Common sources of exposure to higher-than-average levels of arsenic include near or in hazardous waste sites and areas with high levels naturally occurring in soil, rocks, and water. Exposure to high levels of arsenic can cause death.
Young children tend to be at a higher risk for arsenic exposure and the FDA cautions that rice formulas should not be the only source, or even the first source, of nutrition for an infant.
Unfortunately, rice is really efficient at absorbing arsenic from pesticide-laden soil, irrigation water, and even cooking water.
One key point of interest is that white basmati rice from California, India, and Pakistan, and sushi rice from the U.S. on average have half of the inorganic-arsenic amount of most other types of rice.
HEAVY METALS IN ORGANIC FOOD AND HOW THEY DIFFER FROM REGULAR POLLUTANTS:
To be able to have a discussion on organic fruits and vegetables, it’s important to first define the term “organic”. Organic produce refers to fruits and vegetables grown without the help of unnatural ingredients like pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, GMOs, or ionizing radiation. And while this definition makes it seem as though organic fruits and veggies are free from contamination, this is far from the truth.
Heavy Metals in Food
Soil contains trace elements of a variety of metals, including lead, arsenic, tungsten, cadmium, zinc, and copper. These metals form a part of the Earth’s crust and are absorbed by plants that draw nutrients from the soil.
While trace metals are found most densely in root vegetables and rice, all crops absorb small amounts of these metals while growing. Absorbed in it’s organic form, these metals can be removed by the human body through various processes. However, it’s important to minimize our intake of such metals as our body has a limited capacity to remove them and can only manage small amounts at a certain time.
Pollutants vs. Heavy Metals
Processed foods contain much smaller quantities of heavy metals as these are removed during manufacturing. However, this sort of processing also removes beneficial minerals, vitamins, and enzymes, making the food devoid of nutrition. For example, soda and bacon have less heavy metals than an organic apple... but don't let that trick you! An apple is most definitely the healthier option.
Both organic and non-organic conventional fruits and veggies contain trace amounts of heavy metals based on the soil they are grown in. But pollutants, on the other hand, are found primarily in non-organic foods. What’s the difference?
1. Pollutants come primarily from man-made sources; heavy metals can be naturally occurring.
Certain methods of organic cultivation trap trace quantities of heavy metals in the soil, which are then absorbed by subsequent fruits and veggies planted in the same soil. But for the most part, heavy metals are absorbed by plants from the soil, air, and water.
Pollutants, like pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, are used in the cultivation of inorganic fruits and vegetables. These are sprayed or applied on plants by the farmers or machines that tend to the crops. These plants absorb the heavy metals present in the environment along with all the pollutants applied to them.
2. It’s More Likely That ORGANIC certified Food Will be Tested for the Presence of Heavy Metals than non-organic foods.
Certified organic food suppliers are aware that consumers want fruits and veggies that are free from an excess quantity of heavy metals. While organic greens do contain trace amounts of metals from the earth, the top suppliers test for dangerous quantities to ensure that their produce is safe for consumption.
Non-organic food, on the other hand, should be tested for the presence of both pesticides and heavy metals. In most cases, hoiwever, this is ignored as suppliers know that consumers are aware that their food contains pesticides. And if consumers know that what they’re buying contains pesticides, why bother telling them the quantity? As a result, far less products highlight the quantity of any given pesticide contained in them.
3. Pollutants Are More Easily Absorbed in Foods than Metals
Plants absorb synthetic pesticides and fertilizers easily, and the residues can be found long after the food has been harvested, processed, and bundled away. Fruits and vegetables on the exterior portion of the plant are more exposed to these pesticides and are likely to absorb far larger quantities than those on the interior. In some cases, the pesticides enter the plant itself and corrupt the flesh throughout.
Organic produce, on the other hand, is not exposed to any of the harmful pesticides used to grow conventional food. All the heavy metals present in it are absorbed from the soil and air and hence can be mitigated to a certain extent. For example, acidic soil is known to contain high levels of cadmium which seeps into crops. This problem can be mitigated by growing organic fruits and veggies in soil which is more alkaline.
4. Heavy Metals are found in both Organic and Non-organic foods, while Organic foods are FREE from Pollutants.
Heavy metals are found in both types of produce (conventional non-organic and organic) while pollutants, like fertilizers, pesticides, and GMOs can only be found in crops obtained through conventional non-organic farming. Organic fruits and vegetables are free from these extra pollutants.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
As mentioned earlier, the human body is capable of flushing out the excess heavy metal stored in small pockets in our systems. We only suffer when our intake exceeds our body’s capacity to get rid of these heavy metals.
If you’re worried about heavy metal poisoning, some general tips include:
If you work with heavy metals, always wear a mask or other safety equipment.
Eat a varied diet that isn’t too high in fish, bone broth or rice.
Filter your water
Don’t smoke regular and/or e-cigarettes
Children should eat a variety of fruits and vegetables (think leafy greens, fresh berries and creamy avocado) minimizing root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots that are packed with nutrition, but may also contain higher levels of heavy metals
Buy and/or grow organic foods
Check local fish advisories to make sure the fish you eat is safe, and choose seafood low in mercury and keep your consumption to one or two meals per week.
If you live in a home built before 1978, hire an expert to test it for lead paint and, if found, do a complete lead abatement.
Check labels on products for heavy metals.
Eating a varied diet that isn't too high in fish, bone broth, or rice; filtering your water; and buying or growing organic food when you can, should help you steer clear of most heavy metals.
If you are concerned or curious about your levels of Heavy Metals:
A Urine Toxic Metal (UTM) test can be taken to find out your levels of (20) different heavy metals. The tests are easy, taken over a (6) hour time frame, no fasting involved, and are often covered by insurance. Results are back within about one week. Below is a sample of what to expect a (UTM) Heavy Metal Report to look like:
Should a report show that there is a heavy metal imbalance, we consider several different modes of treatment here at Ferguson Life Health Centers that can be performed right here in our office or at home (i.e., IV chelation, Oral chelation, Infrared Sauna, and Hyperbaric oxygen treatments). These, in coordination with possible diet changes, help in normalizing toxic heavy metal levels in the body.
****
I hope this information helps you understand Heavy Metals and how to minimize them in your life. If you are concerned about heavy metal toxicity in yourself, your child or a family member, please call our office and set up an appointment.