How Do Heavy Metals Get Into Our Bodies?

I get asked this question constantly by my patients when their test results come back showing heavy metal issues. “how do they get into my body”? The truth is it can begin from the womb onward, added that we are exposed daily to a variety of toxic substances. The reality is there are pesticides in the foods we are eating daily, the air we breathe, and the worst ones are the heavy metals.

Heavy metals include:

*lead

*mercury

*cadmium

*arsenic

These don’t have to be labeled in our foods, water and the variety of cosmetic and cleaning products people use everyday. What people don’t want to hear is the disturbing ease that these toxic heavy metals gain access to our bodies.

While the exposures are small at first, what happens is they gradually build up in the body’s tissues. Most people are unaware of the increasing risk until their health is compromised.

Common Physical signs that heavy metal toxicity may be causing your issues:

*chronic fatigue

*digestive discomfort

*brain fog

*immune issues

*headaches

*achy joints

*skin rashes

When you realize that heavy metals can silently sabotage your health, it’s important to be aware of the common ways heavy metals get into your body. For many middle aged people public drinking water holds a legacy of lead pipes that the water passed through.

I cannot express enough how important it is to keep babies and little ones safe from heavy metals as their brains are still developing and the toxin intake is higher relative to body weight. I always recommend parents avoid the baby food rice cereal to reduce exposure to arsenic, and buy organic fruits and veggies or organic baby food to limit their consumption of pesticides and herbicides.

While medicines are necessary, they can also be a source of exposure since some of the binding agents in prescription drugs have some metals. and cosmetics house heavy metals especially dark lipsticks the darker the color the more lead that needs to be in there to set the color, (which is why years ago there was lead in the wall paints). The flame retardant chemicals and finishes applied to fabrics are another source. How many of you knew that most house keys are made yes from brass, but up to 2.5% lead by weight. it makes keys easier to shape, it means however our skin is making contact daily with lead.

Metals can also be inhaled from car exhaust and secondhand smoke contains small amounts of lead, nickel and cadmium.

It takes heavy metals decades, or in some cases hundreds of years to break down in nature, making them a constant threat. One of the things I utilize in my practice with my patients is zeolite Clinoptilolite (click link for the brand I recommend), which is a natural filter of heavy metals. it works by attracting and trapping heavy metals as they pass through the body. Hundreds of studies confirm its unique ability to detoxify a wide range of environmental pollutants.

Even if you eat a clean diet and follow a relative healthy lifestyle, we cannot avoid all the places these toxins are found. That’s why continuously detoxing the body with natural zeolite is important. It is safe for pets, children and adults.

If you are interested in a detailed work up of what metals maybe setting up shop as uninvited guests. Please schedule an appointment, I offer in office appointments and have patients all across the United States via tele -visits.

Healthfully yours,

Dr. Jodi Barnett N.D.