Heavy Metals
Heavy Metals
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals can seem like a confusing topic at first glance. Not to fret! We’re here to lay out the basics so that you can feel empowered to make informed decisions about what you and your family consume.
Please note that this is not medical advice. We encourage you to read this guide, consult your own team of health professionals, and continue researching this topic to make the best decisions for you and your family.
We’ve been exploring and learning more about heavy metals since we learned the high level of contamination in certain brands of baby food. This isn’t fair to young children!
Studies show we are exposed to thousands of chemicals in our daily lives, which can come from our environment and what we consume. These toxins can build up in our bodies and affect our sleep, memory, energy, weight and can be linked to major diseases like cancer.
As a matter of fact, over 90% of major diseases can be linked to toxin exposure. Let that sink in. Being mindful of our daily exposure to heavy metals is essential, as they play vital roles in our bodies; however, too much exposure to them can be harmful. Even if heavy metal toxicity is rare, it’s crucial to take precautionary steps to protect our family’s long-term health.
What are heavy metals?
Heavy metals—such as lead, mercury, and arsenic—are metallic elements naturally found on Earth. We use them across many industries, like medicine, agriculture, technology, household products, and more. Since heavy metals play such an important role in many of our environments, there has been a rise in curiosity about how they may affect our health over time.
Metals are more than ingredients in our everyday products; they play a vital role in maintaining our health. Elements like zinc, iron, cobalt, and copper are known as trace minerals, meaning small amounts are crucial for us to stay healthy. However, ingesting too much or too little of these trace minerals can be harmful to our bodies. On the other hand, certain heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic are outright poisonous. Since exposure to even the smallest amount of these metals can be extremely dangerous, it can be helpful to develop an awareness of how much we are putting in our bodies.
What are some examples of heavy metals, & which ones are considered toxic?
Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic, and Chromium are considered “priority metals that are of public health significance,” and are associated with significant health problems with chronic exposure and higher doses. They are also classified as human carcinogens (known or probable) according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Other examples of heavy metals that may pose some threat to our health but are not recognized as dangerous by institutions like the EPA are nickel, copper, and aluminum.
What are the potential health risks associated with heavy metals?
- Neurological Effects: Lead exposure is particularly harmful to the nervous system, especially in children, leading to developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral issues.
- Kidney Effects: High levels of lead can harm the kidneys.
- Cardiovascular Effects: Lead exposure may contribute to high blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Neurological Effects: Mercury primarily affects the nervous system, leading to symptoms such as tremors, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating.
- Developmental Effects: Prenatal exposure to mercury can harm the developing nervous system in fetuses, leading to cognitive and motor skill deficits.
- Cardiovascular Effects: Mercury exposure is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Cancer Risk: Chronic exposure to arsenic is associated with an increased risk of various cancers, including skin, lung, bladder, and liver cancers.
- Skin Effects: Arsenic exposure may cause skin lesions and pigmentation changes.
- Cardiovascular Effects: Arsenic is linked to cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and heart disease.
- Kidney Damage: Cadmium can accumulate in the kidneys, leading to kidney damage and impaired kidney function.
- Bone Issues: Long-term exposure to cadmium may contribute to bone mineral density loss and increase the risk of fractures.
- Cancer Risk: Cadmium exposure is associated with an increased risk of lung and prostate cancers.
- Gastrointestinal Issues: High levels of copper can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Liver Damage: Excessive copper accumulation in the liver can lead to liver damage.
- Neurological Symptoms: Neurological symptoms, including headaches and confusion
- Neurological Effects: Although controversial, some studies suggest a potential link between aluminum exposure and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
- Bone Disorders: High levels of aluminum may contribute to bone disorders.
- Respiratory Issues: Inhalation of aluminum dust or fumes can lead to respiratory problems.
What are the most common sources of heavy metal exposure & how do I reduce my exposure?
Drinking unfiltered tap water can be a significant source of heavy metal exposure, especially if the water source is contaminated with elements like lead, arsenic, mercury, or cadmium.
Solution:
- Water filters/purifiers
- Check your water with commercial kits.
- Avoid single-use plastic water bottles and use a high quality, plastic-free reusable bottle instead
Solution:
- Recycle electronics correctly
- How: A simple google search, “where can I recycle my electronics near me?” will provide free and paid options.
- Dispose of chemical safely and appropriately
- Follow local recommendations.
Consuming food that has been grown in contaminated soil or water, or that has been processed in equipment containing heavy metals, can lead to exposure.
- Avoid large fish
- Fish (large fish like Tuna and swordfish), shellfish, and certain plants can accumulate mercury, lead, and other metals.
- Eat SMASH fish and shrimp.
- Cook food in filtered or purified water.
- Buy local produce
- Avoid ultra processed foods
- Buy organic
- Make sure your cooking wear is toxin free
- Pesticides such as glyphosate contain heavy metals
- Vary your diet.
- Avoid excessive exposure to a particular meal or food!
- Limit rice consumption
- Rice can absorb arsenic from the soil it is grown in, so it is helpful to soak it in water before cooking.
- Brown rice has 50% more arsenic than white rice. Unfortunately, organic is not much better than non-organic sources.
- Check food labels.
- If you can find products that certify that they have been tested for heavy metals (list brands/affiliates).
- Wash fruits and veggies.
- Limit canned food.
- Metals can leach into the food during the canning process. Choose fresh or frozen alternatives if possible.
- Develop an awareness of any supplements you might take (especially herbal supplements)
- Choose only reputable brands that do 3rd party testing if possible.
Industrial activities, vehicle emissions, and certain manufacturing processes can release heavy metals into the air. People may inhale these pollutants, leading to respiratory exposure.
Certain occupations—such as mining, metalworking, construction, and manufacturing—may involve working with or near heavy metals, leading to direct exposure.
Problem:
- Lead-based paints were commonly used in homes before the 1970s. Exposure to lead-based paint or lead dust from deteriorating paint can occur in older homes. Lead is still around in many buildings today.
Solution:
- Get your home/building tested. Use non-toxic paint in your home.
Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke can introduce heavy metals like cadmium and lead into the body.
Some cosmetics and personal care products may contain trace amounts of heavy metals, posing a risk if used consistently over time.
Certain hobbies, such as stained glass making, pottery, and some artistic activities, may involve the use of materials containing heavy metals.
Living in or around areas with contaminated soil, often due to industrial activities or improper waste disposal, can lead to exposure.
Certain medical treatments, such as some dental procedures or the use of specific medications, may contribute to exposure to certain heavy metals.
What is the typical level of exposure to heavy metal toxicity for the average American?
Heavy metals are all around us, and many of them are essential for maintaining our health. While cases of actual toxicity are rare, it’s important to develop an awareness of what contaminants are in our food, water, and environments to avoid the health impacts of heightened exposure.
Let’s empower ourselves to make informed choices! Prioritizing preventive care and adopting habits that reduce toxin exposure are crucial steps that can benefit our well-being in the long run.
What are specific common items that contain heavy metals?
Baby food (mixture of heavy metals)
- Some contain neurotoxins that affect brain development and cognition.
- Reports show popular baby food brands to contain well above the recommended limit for heavy metals, including “91 times the arsenic level, 177 times the lead level, 69 times the cadmium level, and 5 times the mercury level.”
- It is so important for our children, especially infants, to get the right levels of nutrients with the least amount of toxins. Thankfully, regulations are moving in the right direction. In recent years, Congress passed The Baby Food Safety Act of 2021 to limit toxins in infant and toddler food.
Rice and rice products
- Brown rice has up to 50% more arsenic than white rice.
- To reduce arsenic exposure by up to 30-40%, soak your rice in water before cooking it.
Spinach and other leafy greens, cereals, nuts (cadmium)
Some soils can contaminate these crops
Dark chocolate (lead and cadmium)
- Visit Consumer Reports for a list of the cleanest brands.
- Read more on our blog!
Fruit Juice
- Particularly apples and grapes absorb lead and and arsenic from soil
- If you drink juice, dilute it with filtered water
- Check the brand for testing and certification
- To reduce exposure, limit or stop juice consumption if possible
Protein powders
Plant based protein powders have twice the amount of lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic!
Root vegetables
Can contain lead and cadmium
Spices
Consumer Reports tested large retailers and noted that up to one-third of their spices had hazardous levels of arsenic, lead, and cadmium.
Large fish (mercury)
- Swordfish, tuna, king Mackerel, tilefish can contain higher levels of mercury because they live longer and are larger than other fish.
- Eat SMASH fish (Salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring)
Bone Broth
Be mindful regarding your consumption.
Water (lead)
- Test your water
- Use filters and purifiers
Note: This is not medical advice!
The levels of heavy metals can vary depending on the specific source, cultivation methods, and processing. Regulatory agencies set maximum limits for heavy metals in food, and they regulate these levels to ensure food safety. Consuming a varied and balanced diet, along with being aware of the potential sources of heavy metals, can help reduce the risk of excessive exposure. If you have concerns about heavy metal exposure, consult with a medical professional.
What are the typical symptoms of heavy metal toxicity?
When should one consider seeking evaluation from a healthcare provider?
Remember, heavy metal exposure often relates to prolonged exposure with long term health concerns rather than quick illness or toxicity. The typical symptoms of heavy metal toxicity include the following:
- Fatigue
- Digestive issues (bloating, diarrhea, cramping, and abdominal pain)
- Neurological symptoms
- Memory loss
- Brain fog
- Headaches
- Mood changes/irritability
- Tremors, numbness and weakness of your legs and arms
- Coordination issues
- Joint and muscle pain
- Behavioral changes
- Skin problems
- Rashes
- Changes in skin color
- Itching and burning
- Respiratory issues
Note: This is not medical advice!
One should consider seeking evaluation from a healthcare provider if experiencing these symptoms, especially if there is a known exposure risk, occupational exposure, concerns about specific dietary habits, or if pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Early detection and intervention are crucial, and a healthcare professional can guide appropriate testing and necessary actions.
How do we test for heavy metals in our blood?
One should consider seeking evaluation from a healthcare provider if experiencing these symptoms, especially if there is a known exposure risk, occupational exposure, concerns about specific dietary habits, or if pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Early detection and intervention are crucial, and a healthcare professional can guide appropriate testing and necessary actions.
- Ask your doctor to check
- Walk-in labs
- Home testing kit (urine sample)
Note:
If your level is very high, please see your healthcare provider as you may need chelation therapy, which involves taking a medication (EDTA) that binds the heavy metal and allows the body to discard it.
What about heavy metals in vaccines?
There’s a lot of buzz out there about vaccines. We’re not here to give medical advice. We want to provide you with some resources and information so that you can make informed choices for yourself and your family.
Vaccines contain small amounts of aluminum as an adjuvant (boost the immune response), which allows for less (frequent) doses. To put this into perspective, vaccines are not the only way that children get exposed to aluminum because a lot of food has trace elements of aluminum. While infants receive about 4.4 milligrams of aluminum in the first six months of life from vaccines, they receive more than that in their diet. Breast-fed infants ingest about 7 milligrams, formula-fed infants ingest about 38 milligrams, and infants who are fed soy formula ingest almost 117 milligrams of aluminum during the first six months of life.
Thimerosal can be another concern. This compound acts as a preservative as it contains ethyl mercury rather than methylmercury (which is the hazardous mercury that is found in our environment and some large fish). Thimerosal is not in all the vaccines. Mumps, rubella, and measles vaccines have never contained thimerosal. Likewise, varicella, pneumococcal conjugate, and inactivated polio vaccines have never had it as a preservative. The data show that ethyl mercury is not known to cause a health problem.
If you are still worried about the presence of thimerosal in vaccines, it was completely removed or significantly reduced to trace amounts in childhood vaccines between 1999 and 2001, except for flu vaccines, which are packaged in multidose vials. However, currently, influenza vaccines are available in both thimerosal-containing and thimerosal-free versions, a more “clean” vaccine.
Lastly, despite significant controversy, there is not enough evidence to suggest a strong association between vaccines and autism.
Now take a deep breath. You don’t have to throw out everything in your house and cancel your doctors appointments.
Understanding the amount of toxic chemicals and heavy metals that we encounter on a daily basis is the first step to making small changes to reduce your exposure to toxins!
We at MySuperherofoods are committed to following the best possible evidence and will reevaluate our opinions as the information changes.
