Heavy Metals 1

Heavy Metals

ByMaxwell Pavlik

Hey, man!

The Zander Holt community is all about removing obstacles and building habits. You want to become the best version of yourself, and we’re here to help. The goal could be more energy, more confidence, or connecting even deeper with your partner.

In all these pursuits, small and consistent changes can make a world of difference. In this article we will cover ways we can all make small changes to our environments. We can reduce our contact with toxins that can be working against us and our goals.

Our bodies are complex ecosystems. Millions of chemical and electrical signals occur every second1.  Every input to one area of our bodies can and will affect other areas. This concept is not only important for the food we eat, the sleep we get, or the exercise we practice. It is important for the quality of the air we breathe. The water we drink. For everything in our environment that we touch and have contact with every day.

One large category of environmental pollutants is heavy metals. Exposure to heavy metals is something that affects us all in one way or another. And the sources of them can be silent and surprising.

The most common heavy metals are lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and thallium2.  Acute heavy metal poisoning occurs from an excessive dose in a short amount of time. This overwhelms our body’s natural abilities to store or remove the toxic substance. Symptoms occur quickly and with a high degree of severity3. Symptoms including:

  • Confusion             
  • Numbness         
  • Nausea and vomiting       
  • Fainting
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Dehydration

Acute poisoning is most likely caused by a single event. Accidents in an industrial setting or a child swallowing a toy with lead paint on it would be examples of this. Acute poisoning is a medical emergency and requires medical attention immediately.

Chronic poisoning of heavy metals is more common. It is caused by many small exposures over a longer period of time3. This type of poisoning is slow enough to avoid detection. Weaker, less noticeable symptoms will increase over time. Symptoms such as:

  • Headaches
  • Achy joints and muscles
  • Brain fog and memory issues
  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Constipation
  • Sleep problems

Common sources of lead, mercury and arsenic contamination can be:

Lead based paint and lead contaminated dust

  • Homes built before 1978 likely have lead-based paint which can peel, chip or flake to create trace exposures.
  • It is estimated that approximately 24 million housing units in the U.S. have elevated levels of lead-contaminated dust5.

Contaminated Soil

  • Deteriorating exterior lead-based paint
  • Leaded gasoline residue near busy roads
  • Industrial emissions5.

Contaminated Drinking Water

  • Lead can leach into drinking water from lead-containing pipes, faucets, and solder in older plumbing systems6.

Fish and Shellfish Consumption

  • Leading cause of mercury consumption, particularly methylmercury, a very bio-absorbable form of the metal
  • Larger fish species like Tuna, Swordfish and King Mackerel all have higher mercury concentrations7.

Dental Amalgams

  • Dental fillings containing mercury can continuously release small amounts of elemental mercury vapor, referred to as off-gassing7.

Environmental Contamination

  • Mercury is released into the air from coal burning and certain industrial processes. This can then be caught in clouds and released in the form of rain, contaminating soil and water sources7.

Drinking Water

  • Naturally occurring in some groundwater supplies
  • At least 7% of wells tested across the U.S. had arsenic levels above the EPA standard of 10 parts per billion (ppb)8.
  • An estimated 2.1 million people in the U.S. may be getting drinking water from private wells with high arsenic concentrations8.

Industrial Processes

  • Soil and water near former industrial sites or orchards where arsenic-containing pesticides were used9.

Consumer Products

  • Wood preservatives
  • “Production of wood preservatives, primarily copper chromated arsenate (CCA), accounted for more than 90% of domestic consumption of arsenic trioxide in 2003”9. Even though usage has decreased through regulation, many wood structures still contain these compounds.
  • Herbicides and pesticides, although current use has been reduced as domestic production of arsenic itself has ceased.

Why Should We Care?

Our bodies are supposed to have certain metals and minerals in them to optimally work. Iron, Copper and Selenium, in proper amounts, are all important. They’re all responsible for a multitude of cellular and enzymatic functions.

The heavy metals outlined above, in even the smallest amounts, can wreak havoc on our bodies. Whether it’s inhalation, eating, drinking, or touching contaminated surfaces they can gain entry into our bodies. Heavy metals attach themselves to red blood cells and hide in our tissues and fat. Because of this, they can reach every cell of our bodies. This process can induce the creation of oxidation and oxidative stress in the body causing significant cellular and organ damage10.

Chronic exposure to arsenic can “lead to the destruction of blood vessels, gastrointestinal tissue and can affect the heart and brain”10. Lead poisoning is usually limited to the gastrointestinal system and the Central Nervous System. Researchers have also tied lead to a decline in neurological and brain function. The WHO estimates that chronic lead exposure can be responsible for up to 30% of idiopathic intellectual disabilities, 4.6% of cardiac diseases and 3% of chronic kidney diseases worldwide4. Methylmercury is unstable and carcinogenic. Mercury in all its forms is also destructive to brain and heart tissues10.

Sexual Health and Fertility

Chronic exposure affects every system of our bodies, and our reproductive health is not exempt. Heavy metals can disrupt hormone production and function. Accumulation of these toxins can impair the body’s ability to use sex hormones and release or dispose of toxic estrogens. They can also interfere with testosterone production in both men and women. Low testosterone can cause low libido, fatigue, and difficulty maintaining muscle mass11.

Lead and Mercury are endocrine disrupting chemicals that can interfere with normal hormonal function. Endocrine disruption has been linked to poor semen parameters, endometriosis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome12.

The Impact Point Matrix is all about making adjustments to your internal ecosystem to create the right conditions for ultimate sexual performance and health. While detoxification doesn’t explicitly have a space in the matrix, it’s all about removing obstacles that may be weakening other areas of our ecosystems. If you’re not familiar with the graphic or need a refresher, visit our post about it here.

So…What Can We Do?

It’s a lot of information, and a little unsettling once you dig a little deeper. The good news? There are a lot of things we can do to reduce and avoid exposure to these compounds, and to detoxify or remove them from our bodies. Even the smallest changes can lead to improvement and getting you closer to your goals. If we are conscious and confident about what we allow into our bodies, it will translate to confidence in other areas of our life. We want to do our best to remove even the smallest obstacles and build better habits to achieve what we want. 


We all make millions of small decisions everyday.  Here are some small changes you can make to reduce your toxic burden and heavy metal exposure:

  • Carry a stainless steel filtered water bottle.
  • Fill a filtered pitcher in your refrigerator or filter the tap water at your kitchen sink.
  • Avoid water in plastic containers, as this can also be an exposure to other harmful compounds (We’ll cover this in a future post)
  • Fit your home or apartments’ air intake with a good quality HEPA rated filter.
  • Regularly open windows and air out your home.
  • Identify and eliminate sources of pollution. This includes avoiding tobacco smoke indoors, minimizing the use of gas appliances, and managing moisture to prevent mold growth.
  • If you have mercury-containing ‘silver fillings’, ask your dentist about the possibility of getting them removed.
  • Organic produce has a better chance of reducing contact with potential arsenic-containing herbicides. Keep in mind, washing your produce before consuming is still beneficial to remove dirt and any other trace toxic compounds.
  • Reduce consumption of mercury containing fish like Tuna, Swordfish, Shark and King Mackerel.
  • Eat foods that boost our bodies natural detoxification, especially plant foods high in antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids.
  • Drink plenty of filtered water.

If you have any suspicions of a high heavy metal or toxic load, consult a doctor and get tested. As with anything, knowledge is power, and if you know what your levels are, you know how involved your detoxification process has to be.

Mechanisms of Heavy Metal Detoxification

The detoxification of heavy metals is a multi-step process that involves sequestration (or binding), biotransformation, and excretion. The following are key biological mechanisms involved:

  1. Metallothioneins (MTs):
    • Function: Metallothioneins are proteins that bind heavy metals. This binding sequesters metals like cadmium, lead, and mercury, preventing them from interacting with cellular components.
    • Induction: The creation of MTs is upregulated in response to metal exposure, oxidative stress, and certain cytokines(inflammatory molecules).
  2. Glutathione (GSH):
    • Function: Glutathione is a peptide that plays a crucial role in the detoxification of heavy metals. GSH can directly bind metals, forming metal-GSH complexes that are more water-soluble and easier to excrete.
    • Oxidative Stress Response: In addition to direct binding, GSH also helps neutralize oxidative stress induced by heavy metals, protecting from cellular damage.
  3. Chelation by Endogenous Molecules:
    • Chelation: Certain endogenous (naturally occurring within the body) molecules, such as lipoic acid and amino acids like cysteine, can chelate (bind) heavy metals, reducing their toxicity and aiding in their excretion. Chelation increases the solubility of these metals in bodily fluids, facilitating their removal via urine or bile.
  4. Methylation:
    • Function: Some heavy metals, such as arsenic and mercury, undergo methylation, a biotransformation process where the metal is converted into a less toxic, more excretable form. Inorganic arsenic, for example, is methylated into monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), which are excreted more efficiently.
    • Enzymatic Activity: This process is facilitated by enzymes in the liver.
  5. Excretion Mechanisms:
    • Biliary Excretion: Heavy metal complexes are often excreted via the bile. For example, glutathione-metal complexes can be secreted into bile and eventually eliminated through feces.
    • Renal Excretion: Kidneys filter metal-chelate complexes, which are then excreted through urine. This is particularly significant for smaller metals or those bound to low-molecular-weight proteins.

Strategies to Enhance Heavy Metal Detoxification

Given the toxicity of heavy metals and the potential for accumulation, strategies to enhance detoxification are critical for reducing health risks. The following approaches can improve the efficiency of the body’s natural detoxification mechanisms:

  1. Dietary Interventions:
    • Nutrient-Rich Diet: A diet rich in antioxidants (e.g., vitamins C and E) and sulfur-containing foods (e.g., garlic, onions, cruciferous vegetables) supports the synthesis of glutathione and metallothioneins.
    • Fiber: Adequate dietary fiber promotes bile secretion and binds metals in the digestive tract, reducing reabsorption and promoting excretion via feces.
  2. Supplementation:
    • Glutathione Precursors: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) are supplements that can boost glutathione levels, enhancing detoxification capacity.
    • Chelating Agents: Supplementation with natural chelators like cilantro, chlorella, and pectin can support the binding and excretion of heavy metals.
  3. Pharmacological Chelation Therapy:
    • Chelating Drugs: In cases of significant heavy metal toxicity, chelating agents like EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid), and DMPS (dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate) are administered under medical supervision to bind heavy metals and facilitate their excretion. These therapies are particularly effective for acute poisoning.
  4. Enhanced Methylation:
    • Methyl Donors: Nutrients such as folate, vitamin B12, and SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) support the methylation processes that detoxify certain heavy metals. Ensuring adequate intake of these nutrients can optimize the body’s ability to process and excrete metals like arsenic and mercury.
  5. Supportive Therapies:
    • Hydration: Adequate water intake is essential for supporting renal function and the excretion of metal-chelate complexes.
    • Sweat-Inducing Activities: Saunas and exercise can enhance the excretion of metals through sweat, a minor but valuable pathway of detoxification.

Conclusion

The detoxification of heavy metals is a complex process involving several biological pathways. While the body is equipped to handle low-level exposure to these toxins, modern environmental factors can overwhelm our natural detoxification processes, leading to accumulation and health risks.

By understanding the biology of heavy metal detoxification and implementing small strategies to enhance these mechanisms, we can better protect ourselves from the adverse effects of heavy metal exposure. Regular monitoring, dietary adjustments, supplementation, and, when necessary, medical interventions can all play crucial roles in maintaining optimal detoxification efficiency.

When you boil it down to the simplest ideas, creating health is about making small and consistent changes in your daily practices. Stay healthy, informed and ready to be the best version of yourself that you can be!

References

  • 1 Markowsky, George. “information theory”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Jul. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/science/information-theory. Accessed 2 August 2024.
  • 2 Cleveland Clinic medical. “Heavy Metal Poisoning (Heavy Metal Toxicity): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23424-heavy-metal-poisoning-toxicity.
  • 3 Griffin, R. Morgan. “Heavy Metal Poisoning & Toxicity: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.” WebMD, WebMD, 2022, www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-heavy-metal-poisoning.
  • 4 “Almost 1 Million People Die Every Year Due to Lead Poisoning, with More Children Suffering Long-Term Health Effects.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 2022, www.who.int/news/item/23-10-2022-almost-1-million-people-die-every-year-due-to-lead-poisoning–with-more-children-suffering-long-term-health-effects.
  • 5 “Sources of Lead.” Sources of Lead | Lead Poisoning | Health & Senior Services, health.mo.gov/living/environment/lead/sources.php. Accessed 2 Aug. 2024.
  • 6 “Lead.” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/lead. Accessed 2 Aug. 2024.
  • 7 Mahaffey KR. Mercury exposure: medical and public health issues. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 2005;116:127-53; discussion 153-4. PMID: 16555611; PMCID: PMC1473138.
  • 8 “Arsenic.” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/arsenic. Accessed 2 Aug. 2024.
  • 9 “Arsenic Toxicity: Where Is Arsenic Found?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 May 2023, www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/arsenic/where_arsenic.html.
  • 10 Azeh Engwa, Godwill, et al. ‘Mechanism and Health Effects of Heavy Metal Toxicity in Humans’. Poisoning in the Modern World – New Tricks for an Old Dog?, IntechOpen, 19 June 2019. Crossref, doi:10.5772/intechopen.82511.
  • 11 Hinojosa, By Dr. Judy. “The Effects of Heavy Metals on Your Hormones – Vitality Natural Health Care.” Vitality Wellness Clinic, 18 Oct. 2021, vitalitywellnessclinic.com/the-effects-of-heavy-metals-on-your-hormones/.
  • 12Ogunsola, Oluwole I. BSca,*; Adeyi, Atinuke MBBSb; Ashiru, Oladapo A. MBBS, PhD, HCLD/CCa,b. Successful removal of heavy metals and environmental toxins using modern Mayr chelating detoxication in a patient: a model for prefertility treatment screening. Global Reproductive Health 8(1):p e66, Spring 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/GRH.0000000000000066
  • 13J.L. Hall, Cellular mechanisms for heavy metal detoxification and tolerance, Journal of Experimental Botany, Volume 53, Issue 366, 1 January 2002, Pages 1–11, https://doi.org/10.1093/jexbot/53.366.1
  • 14Witkowska D, Słowik J, Chilicka K. Heavy Metals and Human Health: Possible Exposure Pathways and the Competition for Protein Binding Sites. Molecules. 2021 Oct 7;26(19):6060. doi: 10.3390/molecules26196060. PMID: 34641604; PMCID: PMC8511997.