New Year, new you.
It’s January’s favorite slogan, and many people are reassessing their overall health and setting ambitious goals for the year ahead. For some, this may mean detoxification, especially heavy metal detoxification.
Exposure to heavy metals may be more common than you think. Traces of toxins like lead, arsenic, and mercury float in the air we breathe, lurk in the water we drink, and can even be found in some skin care products and household items we use daily. Over time, a buildup of heavy metals can wreak havoc on the body, leading to weakened immunity and more health problems.
Therefore, the idea of heavy metal detoxification has received widespread attention. Around 2020, a host of health and wellness influencers and gurus began toying with the idea of smoothies, baths, and even heavy metal detox supplements – all aimed at drawing heavy metals out of the body to improve energy, combat brain fog, and maybe drive. for clearer skin and a slimmer waist.
Interest in detoxification has sparked many questions regarding heavy metal toxicity, including the question of what exactly heavy metals are and why some celebrities think a heavy metal detox might be the key to better health.
For answers to all these frequently asked questions and additional heavy metal detox tips, The Post consulted two heavy metal detox experts: Dr. Alicia Armistead of Healing Arts NYC and Sonia O’Farrell of Touchstone Essentials .
“Our environment is awash in heavy metals, from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soils our food is grown in,” explained O’Farrell, director of marketing at Touchstone Essentials , a company specializing in heavy metals. liquid zeolite detoxifications.
O’Farrell said the most common heavy metals in our environment include arsenic, aluminum, cadmium, lead and mercury.
Heavy metal poisoning occurs when heavy metals build up in the body over time, causing disruption to essential body processes – think digestion, breathing, memory and even cell production .
“Although we have natural defenses and detoxification systems in the body, these can be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of toxins, leading to the storage of heavy metals in our cells, tissues, organs and bones,” O’Farrell said.
The slow buildup of these toxins can lead to a host of unwanted and potentially life-threatening symptoms.
Alicia Armitstead, holistic chiropractor and founder of Healing Arts NYC, takes a personalized approach to treating heavy metal poisoning with her patients.
In his experience, heavy metal toxicity can be different in each person, depending on the type of metals they are exposed to and the amount of heavy metals present in their body. However, there are a few common symptoms to look out for.
“Symptoms of heavy metal detox include headaches, rashes, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, irritability, brain fog, and a weakened immune system,” Armitstead listed.
Those looking to reduce their exposure to heavy metals can consider a series of lower-effort dietary and lifestyle changes – from swapping produce at home to eating a greener diet.
Armistead suggests looking for high-quality fish to reduce the risk of ingesting mercury and eating more foods like cilantro, seaweed, and leafy greens, which can help trap and eliminate toxins. Besides dietary changes, she recommends using an aluminum-free deodorant and making sure your makeup and toothpaste are titanium-free.
For a more serious heavy metal detox, Armistead opts for high-quality detox supplements combined with plenty of water (at least two liters per day) to help flush metals from the body.
“We support the body by using supplements to extract heavy metals from cells and inject them into the lymphatic system. Lymph carries it into the bloodstream. The blood carries the heavy metal to the liver and kidneys to be detoxified and then excreted through urine or intestines,” she explained.
While there are many methods of heavy metal detoxification, one proven method is to use the natural mineral clinoptilolite, zeolite. Colloquially known simply as zeolite, it is a naturally occurring mineral formed from volcanic ash and seawater, and has been shown to aid the removal of heavy metals.
“With hundreds of scientific studies supporting its ability to bind heavy metals, this rare natural mineral is the gentlest and most accessible way to take a proactive stance against heavy metal buildup in the body,” he said. O’Farrell said.
The porous structure and negative charge of zeolite make it particularly useful for detox. Essentially, zeolite works like a magnet to attract and trap positively charged toxins, such as heavy metals. Once toxins are trapped, they are flushed out through the body’s natural elimination process.
“The most effective zeolite detox will be in liquid form for optimal absorption and will offer micrometer and nanometer particles for intestinal, body and cellular detoxification. The Zeolite Detox Pack from Touchstone Essentials offers just that,” explained O’Farrell.
Everyone’s detox experience will be different. However, successful detoxification can have a number of potential health benefits.
“By freeing the body of stored toxins, individuals can benefit from improved metabolic function, which can result in increased energy, maintaining a healthy weight and mental clarity,” O’Farrell emphasized. . “Additionally, a person who has undergone detoxification may see an alleviation of problematic skin issues, digestive discomfort, and irritability.”
Although serious side effects are not common, Armistead explained that most are due to detoxing too quickly and overloading the body.
“If the liver or kidneys do not detoxify them, or the intestines do not get rid of them, the toxins can continue to recirculate in the blood, causing headaches, rashes, constipation, diarrhea , fatigue, irritability and brain fog,” she says. warned.
Armistead also noted that this can be confusing since some detox side effects actually overlap with toxicity side effects. She suggested monitoring if symptoms worsen and taking fewer supplements to slow detoxification if necessary.
Everyone, including children, can be affected by heavy metal accumulation and toxicity.
In fact, research has indicated that babies born with heavy metals are already present in their bodies. The Environmental Working Group study, which tested umbilical cord blood, found that 287 industrial chemicals passed through the placenta to the baby.
Additionally, children might be more susceptible to heavy metal toxicity due to their immature immune systems and rapidly developing organ systems, in addition to other behavioral factors, such as how they put non-food items in their mouth.
According to O’Farrell, a few changes can help reduce children’s exposure to heavy metals: selecting natural household products, installing a water filtration system, ensuring children eat whole foods, and avoiding overly processed snacks. .
But for those looking for a more effective change, a safe detox is also an option. The FDA has granted clinoptilolite zeolite GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status.
“This gentle detoxifier is safe for people of all ages,” O’Farell said. “However, if a person is suffering from health complications or is prescribed various medications, it is always best to discuss any new supplement with a healthcare professional before using it.”
The New York Post always recommends consulting your doctor before starting any new supplement, diet or health program.
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