Metals and Our Minds
DISCLAIMER: All information is for education purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace health professional advice. Always seek and follow the directives of your medical health professional for all health related issues. The following is my opinion based on my experience and the research I have read.
Could metals be messing with your mind? Are you struggling with memory issues, headaches, emotional instability, or do you often feel so tired, you can barely make it through the day without a nap? Toxic metals are a bigger issue than you think. Toxic metals are super-concerning to me because they can cross the blood-brain-barrier. They are linked to fatigue, hormone imbalance, weight issues, and many cognitive struggles. Read on to learn more so you can take steps to protect yourself and your family, and get your brain back on track!
First, I know it may be hard to believe that you and I are being exposed to heavy metals and we probably have been for years. That is part of the problem. Heavy metals are toxic even in miniscule amounts. Imagine if day after day, year after year you continue to be exposed to them. They would accumulate. This happens so gradually you won’t notice it, until one day you find yourself struggling with a variety of issues with no known source.
Some signs of toxic metal stress are:
MOOD SWINGS OR EMOTIONAL INSTABILITY
MIGRATING PAIN
FEEL OUT OF SORTS OR GENERAL MALAISE
MUSCLE SORENESS OR WEAKNESS
CONFUSION
SLEEP DISTURBANCES
FATIGUE
I know about the impact of toxic metals first hand. Back in 2007, I was so fatigued that I only worked in the morning and needed to nap away most of the afternoon. I later ended up resigning from my teaching position. I literally thought my body was shutting down. In addition to the crazy tiredness, I would get sharp pains in my head. I developed many sensitivities to foods and smells. I was a mess! Up until I left my position, only my husband knew how much I was struggling. Later, I linked having a filling removed and a crown put it just prior to my steep decline in health. Apparently, my toxin bucket started to overflow due to the released mercury. I share this because I know others are silently struggling out there. Please know that there is someone who understands. And thankfully, things can get better instead of worse! We are fearfully and wonderfully made!
I learned that traditional testing and methods did not have any answers for me. I found out that acute exposure to toxins can be detected from blood work, but chronic exposure to toxins often does not show up in blood tests. I was ready and open to receive help! Thankfully, a friend connected me with to a natural practitioner. Heavy metals were only part of my problem. (I have learned that it is typically not just one toxin. We all are exposed to a mixed-bag of toxins regularly in what we breath, eat, and drink.) These toxins are accumulating in each of us unless we know who to help our body remove them. The fancy word for this is bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation means that the toxins are accumulating faster than the body can excrete or metabolize them. In other words, your body needs help.
Where are we being exposed to them?
1. Our water – check out the Environmental Working Group’s website. You can enter your zip code and find out what toxins are in your water. I warn you – be sitting down when you do this. You may be shocked! According to an environmental consulting group, heavy metals are used in treatment of sewage. Source. You may find like my local water that yours has arsenic, chloroform and many other toxic chemicals we are challenged to pronounce. None of which are beneficial to our wellness.
2. Baby food –according to a recent U.S. Report that came out in February of this year “dangerous levels of toxic metals” were found in baby food. CRAZY!! I KNOW!! Source.
3. Other common foods are high in toxic metals. Some chemical pesticides contain an arsenic compound that is taken up by the plants. Rice is especially high in arsenic. Arsenic is a toxic to our brain and it’s neurotransmitters.
4. Fish, especially larger fish like tuna, often contain mercury and silver dental fillings of contain mercury as well. It is also used as an adjuvant in some vaccinations. According to Wellness Mama here are some other fish to avoid: King Mackerel, farm-raised fish, Chilean Sea Bass, imported king crab, and Atlantic salmon.
5. Cadmium is found in cigarettes and in e-cigs. For many of the source of cadmium is our foods. It exists in soils and gets in our foods such as rice. Cadmium is linked to certain types of cancers.
6. Cosmetics –many lip sticks and other cosmetics contain lead. Lead may be linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. (As are other toxic metals like aluminum.)
7. Anti-perspirants typically contain aluminum compounds as do many vaccinations. Aluminum especially seems to target the brain as it is linked to inflammatory issues of the brain such as Alzheimers’, ALS, and Parkinson’s disease. Studies find autistic individuals often have high levels of aluminum in their brains. This study is particularly compelling. Seriously, if you know anyone with autistic children you should read this and share it with them.
What can you do about them?
1. Avoid foods and products that contain toxic metals as much as possible.
2. Find a practitioner that can help you safely detox these metals from your body. (If I hadn’t worked on detoxing the metals in my body, I have no doubt I would not be able to be functioning anywhere near the level I am today.)
3. Tell others so they know too!
4. Do your own research. There is a lot out there to be read and learned. The more you know, the better equipped you are to make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
After reading this, most will be concerned, but few will take action. I hope you are one of the few who will take steps to address your concerns. You only get one brain and one life. Reach out for the help you need. Let’s connect.