Health Hazards of Heavy Metal Toxicity

As Gary Young points out in his lecture on unburdening the liver and liver cleansing, the fats and bile within the liver can easily become over-saturated with oil-soluble toxins, synthetic chemicals and heavy metals. As these toxins build up, the liver becomes overloaded and can't function properly, resulting in a wide range of diseases and other health problems.

The heavy metals present their own special problem in that most of then are very neuro-toxic. And while most of us are familiar — to some degree — with the toxic effects of lead or mercury, not as many are aware of all the places these toxic substances present themselves in our present environment.

Heavy metals in our environment

It would surprise a lot of people to hear all of the places in which heavy metals — and their neuro-toxic effects — can be found.   There are, of course, the obvious places:

• lead-based paints,
• coal-burning industrial smokestacks,
• diesel exhaust;

but there are also the less-known sources, such as:

• lawn chemicals,
• insecticides,
• household chemicals,
• antiperspirants,
• cheap cookware (and some that's not-so-cheap),
• "silver" (as in "quicksilver" — mercury) amalgam fillings,
• drinking water,
• prescription drugs, and
• plastics.

Our modern environment is saturated with these poisons, and there's virtually no way (to be optimistic about it) to avoid them entirely.

You can run, but you can't hide

Just the simple acts of going out for a walk or a quick trip to the shopping mall can leave you with significant toxic overload.   (Don't even get me started on those who — for the sake of their health — jog or walk or bike along busy streets!)   There is just no way to avoid it.

These neuro-toxic chemicals go to the liver, but they also deposit themselves in the brain, the joints and soft tissues.

If you can't avoid them, then fight back

Over the years, I've found a few things that help me to function, even in the presence of neuro-toxic chemicals.

Therapeutic-grade essential oils:

Among the best things, or course, are the essential oils.   Linda and I always carry some with us — Linda, in her purse; me, in a key-chain with an oil vial inside.

The aromatics of essentials oils actually bind with the chemicals, breaking up their chemical structure and rendering them less harmful.   They also aid in transporting the toxins out of the system.

They are truly remarkable substances.

Linda and I have found that the peppermint oil works very well.  Just put a little on the temples, back of neck and under the nose (for the aromatic effect).  I usually diffuse it once I get home from a particularly toxic experience.  Lavender is also great.

Homeopathic remedies:

I'm sure there are a great many homeopathic remedies that would be really excellent in helping to rid the body of heavy metals.  One that is especially effective is MetalStat (although many of the other Stat remedies would be very helpful.)  I really should look into this more and report back to you.

But the homeopathic I use most is something called Rescue 5 30C.  It's made by a company called Energique Homeopathic; I used to get it from my chiropractor.  While it doesn't actually help to eliminate the toxins, it does help to restore normal communication between the cells.  I've found it particularly helpful in relieving the feeling of being swarmed by insects and for agitation or wakefulness at night.

Acupressure:

As with the homeopathic remedy I use, I don't think the acupressure I do actually helps to remove toxins from the system (although I'm sure there are points for detoxification, as well); however, it's very effective in quieting my central nervous system.

But hey, it's a liver point, so who knows?  Right?

When I'm feeling wound up from chemical exposure, I locate the point (Liver 3: the "Large-important pass" point) on the top of the foot, in the depression just in front of where the first and second metatarsal bones come together.  (An alternate locating device: about 2 thumb-widths up from the web between the big and second toes.)  With my index or middle finger, I apply firm pressure to this point and rotate the finger clock-wise for about 30 seconds, then repeat on the other foot.  This effectively sedates the central nervous system.

Similar to this, I also use a device I got from my chiropractor.  I call it a snapper; it looks like a pen, but inside are two crystals that snap together, creating an electrical spark.  This can be applied to acupuncture points (like the one on the top of the foot) to affect certain benefits.  Just give it a couple of pops, and you're on your way.

I have found it to be a great help with clearing the liver; less so with the agitation I experience from chemical overload.  However, using it on the inside corner of the nail on the little fingers (just one pop) seems to help calm the nervous system.

Another alternative is to use a tuning fork (the 256 Hz — "C" size).  Just whack it on something to activate it, place the end of the handle on an acupuncture point, and let it ring.  It's a very gentle method (except for what you whack it on) with powerful results.  Dipping the end of the tuning fork in an essential oil, like ylang ylang, amplifies the effects many times over.

From your Italian herb garden

Something I just discovered is cilantro.  It's an Italian(?) parsley with a very pleasant, zesty taste.  Eating about a quarter cup of its leaves and stems every day for about 2 weeks is a very good way to eliminate heavy metals from the body.  It's really amazing.

Since detoxing is something that you'll need to do on a continual basis, it would be best to eat the cilantro for a week or two, then take a week off before starting the next cycle.

One thing to keep in mind, however: When the toxins are being drawn out of your tissues, they're being dumped in your gut.  If they're not cleared from the gut adequately, you'll get re-absorption, which can be very unpleasant.

To avoid this problem, your best bet is to also follow a colon cleansing regimen.  I'd recommend taking something like Pascalite, and possibly Super Seed or Detox Fiber.  They will help to soak up the toxins in the gut and carry them out of your system.

The EB-305 Ionic-Cleanse Unit:

If you aren't getting the results you want from the above methods, something else I found that is very interesting is the EB-305 Ionic-Cleanse Unit.  While the effects that you can see are not really indicative of the results you receive, chemical tests have shown that this unit does provide a good level of detoxificationl.

Manufactured by Erchonia, the EB-305 is only available through a health professional.  (I purchased mine from my chiropractor.)  It is similar to the Bio-Cleanse units available on-line; but my chiropractor says this is a better unit, lasts longer, and costs less over time.

This unit is basically a foot bath.  You take a tub of water, add a little RealSalt, place the coil (the "array", as they call it) in the water and turn it on.  The charge goes from Positive to Negative over a 23 minute cycle.

I've been using this system since March 2003.  The two things I've really noticed with this unit:

• When I've been out in the toxic air, I draw a lot more heavy metals out of my system with the EB-305.  That is an indication of how toxic the air is around here.
• With consistent use of the EB-305, I have a much greater sense of freedom in my gut.  I never thought of my abdomen as congested before; but now, when I pull myself upright, I can feel pressure being taken off my liver, and my organs have the ability to move.  Before, it was just a firm mass.

If you have to ask the cost, however, you can't afford it.  The only way I could justify the expense (to myself, and to Linda) was that I've been so sick for so long, and have been carrying such a toxic load for such along time, this was actually cheaper than other, less-effective alternatives.

These are just a few ideas on what can be done to cope with our heavy metal-laden environment.  If you have any other ideas, please share them with us on the bulletin board.