Menu
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
eMediHealth Logo
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result

Home > Nutrition > 9 Tips to Reduce Heavy Metals From the Body

9 Tips to Reduce Heavy Metals From the Body

December 12, 2022
6 min read
By Shiza Khan, M.Sc. – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics | Dietitian/Nutritionist

In this article:

  • How Do You Know if You Have Too Many Heavy Metals in Your Body?
  • How to Reduce Your Heavy Metal Exposure
  • Does Sauna Therapy Help Remove Toxins From the Body?
  • Final Word

Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and aluminum can be toxic to the body with chronic exposure.

how to reduce heavy metals from the body

However, a lot of everyday items (car keys, locks, aluminum vessels, etc.) contain trace or low amounts of these metals. These metals can interfere with DNA regulation and protein structure and cause neurological disorders. (1)

How Do You Know if You Have Too Many Heavy Metals in Your Body?

Heavy metal exposure can be short term or long term. Short-term exposure can occur when you accidentally ingest a large amount of heavy metal such as in water or food. Long-term exposure occurs when you are exposed to tiny amounts of heavy metal over long periods (e.g., lead miners).

Both types of exposure may cause heavy metal poisoning in the body. Symptoms of which include nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and chills. (2)

Advertisements

Since these are common symptoms that can occur with a number of medical conditions, it is best to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

How to Reduce Your Heavy Metal Exposure

Here are a few tips you can use to avoid long-term exposure to heavy metals.

1. Drink filtered water

installing a water filtration system can reduce heavy water from the body

Water can be contaminated with trace amounts of heavy metals. Installing a water filtration system in your home can help reduce these impurities and make your drinking water safe for use.

You can use an ion exchange filtration system, activated carbon filtration system, or reverse osmosis filtration system. (3)

2. Purify your body

You can remove harmful toxins from your body by:

a. Optimizing liver health

The liver helps remove all toxins from the body. (4) You can reduce the levels of heavy metals in your body by consuming foods that boost liver health and aid detoxification enzymes (grapefruit, cruciferous vegetables, etc.) and avoiding alcohol.

Advertisements

Consuming foods that contain vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, etc., may also help boost liver health.

b. Optimize gut health

Your digestive system contains a number of beneficial bacteria that help keep the body free of pathogens and toxins.

You can help increase the amount of these good bacteria, especially if you suffer from irritable syndrome (IBS) or frequent diarrhea, to optimize your gut health. Consuming probiotics is a good way to do so.

Recent studies show that probiotics such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus help decrease mercury and arsenic absorption from the gut into the blood. (5)

3. Get the right amounts of vitamins and minerals

consuming adequate vitamins and minerals can protect against heavy metal exposure

Consuming adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals helps boost the body’s immune system and may help protect you from the harmful effects of heavy metal exposure. (6)

You can include fresh leafy vegetables and fruits in your diet or take a multivitamin supplement to meet your vitamin and mineral requirements.

Advertisements

4. Don’t forget about herbs and spices

Herbs and spices such as garlic, turmeric, and rosemary have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They can help boost your immune system to fight against toxins and pathogens.

5. Implement dietary and lifestyle changes

Cutting down on fast food, limiting fried foods, and increasing the amount of fresh fruits and greens you consume are the key to a healthy life.

6. Increase intake of polyphenols

boosting polyphenol intake can aid in removal of heavy metals from body

Polyphenols can help increase the production of an enzyme called metallothionein, which helps in the removal of toxins and heavy metals from the body.

You can consume foods such as dark chocolate, cocoa, and flaxseeds daily as they have large quantities of polyphenols. (7)

7. Reduce stress

Stress can slow down the body’s natural detoxification process. It is advisable to reduce both physical and mental stress for optimal health. Try to meditate every day to reduce the impact of chronic stress on your health.

8. Consume cilantro

Cilantro is a natural chelating agent. It has detoxifying properties that can help protect your body from heavy metals. A recent study has shown that consuming cilantro can help decrease the amount of lead absorbed in the blood.

Advertisements

You can drink a cilantro and apple smoothie in the morning or consume fresh chopped cilantro on top of your salads, curries, soups, etc. (8)

9. Detox with milk thistle

consuming milk thistle can aid liver detox and prevent heavy metal exposure

Milk thistle contains natural antioxidants and phytochemicals that have been proven to increase liver detoxification. In short, it helps the liver in removing waste products from the body and improving health.

You can consume milk thistle tea or milk thistle supplements every day. (9)

Advertisements

Does Sauna Therapy Help Remove Toxins From the Body?

Sauna therapy is a good way to increase waste elimination from the body. Just make sure to drink enough fluids afterward to prevent dehydration.

Final Word

The body has a natural cleansing mechanism that helps get rid of all toxins. You do not have to work extra hard to protect your body from damage.

Consume foods that boost your immune system and limit the intake of foods that harm you, and you are good to go. Remember, your goal is to aid the body’s natural defense mechanism.

References
  1. Jan AT, Azam M, Siddiqui K, Ali A, Choi I, Haq QM. Heavy Metals and Human Health: Mechanistic Insight into Toxicity and Counter Defense System of Antioxidants. Int J Mol Sci. 2015;16(12):29592-29630. Published 2015 Dec 10. doi:10.3390/ijms161226183/
  2. Sharma S, Gupta A, Deshmukh A, Puri V. Arsenic poisoning and Mees’ lines. QJM. 2016;109(8):565-566. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcw068.
  3. Mohankumar K, Hariharan V, Rao NP. Heavy Metal Contamination in Groundwater around Industrial Estate vs Residential Areas in Coimbatore, India. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016;10(4):BC05-BC7. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2016/15943.7527.
  4. Jaishankar M, Tseten T, Anbalagan N, Mathew BB, Beeregowda KN. Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals. Interdiscip Toxicol. 2014;7(2):60-72. doi:10.2478/intox-2014-0009/.
  5. Bisanz JE, Enos MK, Mwanga JR, et al. Randomized open-label pilot study of the influence of probiotics and the gut microbiome on toxic metal levels in Tanzanian pregnant women and school children. mBio. 2014;5(5):e01580-14. Published 2014 Oct 7. doi:10.1128/mBio.01580-14.
  6. Slavin JL, Lloyd B. Health benefits of fruits and vegetables. Adv Nutr. 2012;3(4):506-516. Published 2012 Jul 1. doi:10.3945/an.112.002154.
  7. Gollücke AP. Recent applications of grape polyphenols in foods, beverages and supplements. Recent Pat Food Nutr Agric. 2010;2(2):105-109.
  8. Effect of cilantro on plasma lead levels and some hematological … https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272579260/.
  9. Wu JP, Tsai CC, Yeh YL, et al. Silymarin Accelerates Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy [retracted in: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:2575273]. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:603529. doi:10.1155/2015/603529.
  • Was this article helpful?
  • YES, THANKS!NOT REALLY
Spread the Love❤️
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements

Newsletter

Get our BEST updates delivered to your inbox:



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Categories

  • Nutrition
  • Wellness
  • Oral Care
  • Eye Care
  • Heart Health
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Women’s Health
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Respiratory Health

Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
eMediHealth

This site provides content for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended for use as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In case of a medical concern or emergency, please consult your healthcare provider.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation.

Our Network: Little Extra

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Nutrition
  • Skin & Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Yoga & Meditation
  • Women’s Health
  • Heart Health
  • Allergy & Immunology
  • Bones & Joints
  • Child Health
  • Digestive
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Eye Care
  • Glands & Hormones
  • Health News
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mental Health
  • Nervous System
  • Oral Care
  • Pain Management
  • Respiratory Health
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Urological Health

© 2019 eMediHealth. All rights reserved.