Lead, mercury, aluminum… How do you get contaminated with these heavy metals?

We are in continuous contact with a lot of toxins that can result dangerous to our health.

On the one hand, the body accumulates waste from an unbalanced diet, poor digestion, lack of physical exercise, tobacco, alcohol and stress. In addition, the Metabolic reactions that occur regularly in the body also generate substances –such as urea, bilirubin or homocysteine– that alter the balance of the internal environment.

On the other hand, to these encogenic processes are added a series of external toxic well-known (car gases, industrial pollution, drugs, solvents, detergents, cosmetics…) and heavy metals, whose effect is less well known.

Massively exposed to heavy metals

Among the heavy metals we find lead, mercury, aluminum, cadmium… small particles They are found in food, in dental amalgams, in the air we breathe and in the water we ingest. And that affect our health.

These metals have a cumulative effect on the body and they are difficult to remove. The body’s sophisticated cleansing system can be compromised by these metals competing with the trace elements responsible for multiple enzymatic reactions.

The result is the alteration of the internal synthesis of molecules essential for health, such as hormones, antibodies or neurotransmitters. Symptoms and alterations of organic functions appear that, in the long run, end up producing irreversible diseases.

They are everywhere!

Today we are between 500 and 1,000 times more exposed to heavy metals than our ancestors.

Mining, metal smelting, industrial and energy use of oil and its derivatives, fertilizers and pesticides, among other sources, produce waste containing heavy metals and that end up being transferred to the environment.

These particles accumulate in the trophic chain and are transferred to places far from the point of origin of the contamination, generally through water and air.

How they affect your health

Heavy metals cause in the body a slow and gradual intoxicationand its effects depend on the tolerance of our metabolism, as well as on our chelation capacity (the process by which heavy metals bind to organic molecules that help their expulsion through urine and feces).

From before being born, the baby already begins to accumulate heavy metals through the mother’s placenta. And then the sources multiply: breast milk, moisturizing creams, sanitary napkins…

Between his main effects on the body highlight the blocking the absorption of essential minerals for metabolism (zinc, magnesium or selenium); errors in the formation of proteins; modification of the lipid layer of cell membranes, which affects the proper entry and exit of nutrients; and increased oxidation generated by destructive free radicals.

These and other lesser known actions end up diminishing the organic functions and compromise health.

It is difficult to establish a tolerance limit for these toxins. It depends as much on exposure and ingestion as on elimination. Also of the genetics of each person.

How much heavy metals does our body tolerate?

The amount varies with each metal specific. Mercury, aluminum, arsenic, cadmium and lead they are always toxic and should be avoided. On the other hand, others are beneficial in small concentrations, but if they are exceeded they become harmful. This is the case for nickel, cobalt, germanium and copper.

Mercury

Mercury, very toxic, is found in dental amalgams, thermometers, barometers or batteries.

The WHO considers a weekly mercury intake of 5 μg/kg (0.3 mg for a person weighing 60 kg) to be a “tolerable” amount. But apart is methylmercury, an organic compound that forms over time in the environment from it. Methylmercury is fifty times more toxic and accumulates in the body. For this, the WHO places the limit at a weekly intake of 3.3 μg/kg (0.19 mg/60 kg).

It is precisely methylmercury that passes into the food chain, especially through larger fish (The European Union considers acceptable up to 0.5 mg of mercury per kilo in fresh fish).

Besides, the oral and intestinal flora also transform mercury into methylmercurywhich increases the toxic risk if you have dental amalgams with mercury.

Aluminum

penetrates the body through water and air, flour, dyes, yeast, antacids and food cooked with aluminum utensils… It is estimated that a dose of 7 mg/kg/week is tolerable and that most consume between 1 and 10 mg per day from natural sources.

Concentrations greater than 500 mg/kg of weight can cause alterations in the nervous system and are believed to be precursors of Alzheimer’s.

Arsenic

It is a poison. The WHO estimates that prolonged consumption of drinking water with an arsenic content greater than 0.01 mg per liter could eventually cause multisystem involvement and the development of various types of cancer.

Cadmium

Its effects are underestimated due to lack of studies and a limit has not been established in food. It is known that a diet low in basic minerals increases cadmium absorptionspecifically diets low in calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and copper.

The average consumption of cadmium per week in a normal diet is 2.8 to 4.2 μg/kg of weight. FAO and WHO experts have established the tolerable limit at 7 μg per kilo of weight per week.

Lead

It is one of the most studied due to its high concentration in the air and aquifers. In children, it causes glandular alterations and retardation in mental development.

The tolerance limit has been established at 10 μg per dl in blood (half in children).

Some metals are beneficial…depending on the amount

There are a number of metals that perform a specific function in the body, but at minimal doses. Are the trace elements either metalloenzymes.

These include nickel and cobalt, endocrine system regulators; germanium, immunity enhancer; or copper, a powerful natural antibiotic. They are metals that act by accelerating enzymatic reactions but in excess they generate health problems.

A balanced and organic diet It provides those optimal amounts, without intoxication being possible.

Nickel

Food provides an average of 160 μg per day of nickel, which plays a role in the endocrine regulation. It does not entail any risk if you are not sensitized to this metal.

A excess nickel in the blood it causes interactions with other trace elements such as manganese, by inhibiting their action. This can give rise to skin disorders, hair loss and various allergies.

The foods that provide more nickel they are oats, corn, buckwheat, parsley, broccoli and potato.

Cobalt

It’s a nervous system regulator. A daily intake of 10-20 mg is considered adequate, which prevents spasms and muscle blocks. He also participates in the formation of the b12 vitamin.

A excess cobalt It can cause anxiety, asthma, infertility and eczema. However, to have an excess of this metal, doses a thousand times greater than those provided by the ordinary diet should be consumed.

Between the cobalt rich foods we find seaweed, nuts, legumes, buckwheat and green leafy vegetables.

Germanium

It is necessary in its form organic, but very toxic in its inorganic form (just like copper).

He organic germanium effectively stimulates the electrical impulses from cells and increases the flow of oxygen in the body. Helps fight free radicals, improves circulation, relieves chronic pain, reduces inflammation and protects vision.

Vegetables with high concentrations of germanium They are garlic, broccoli, celery, aloe vera, chlorella algae, watercress and shiitake mushrooms. It is eliminated through the urine and does not produce toxicity.

Copper

Involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin and the development of bones and conjunctive tissue. It is also anti-inflammatory and helps fight infections.

Between the foods and drinks that contain more copper there are fermented alcoholic beverages (wine, beer…), black tea, coffee and cocoa.

The recommended daily dose it is 700 to 1,000 μg in adults, which is amply covered by a handful of walnuts, a tablespoon of sesame, a cup of lentils or chickpeas, or an avocado.

An overdose from chronic poisoning (due to a malfunction of certain liver enzymes) or from acute contamination can cause abdominal painnausea, stomach cramps and liver disorders.