Friday, November 12, 2010

Protect Yourself Against Heavy Metals



Heavy metals are chemical elements with a specific gravity that is at least 5 times the specific gravity of water. Specific gravity is a measure of density of a given amount of a solid substance when it is compared to an equal amount of water. There are 23 "heavy metals" that can be toxic to humans: antimony, arsenic, bismuth, cadmium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, platinum, silver, tellurium, thallium, tin, uranium, vanadium and zinc. Small amounts of these elements are common in our environment and diet and are actually necessary for good health, but large amounts of any of them may cause acute or chronic toxicity (poisoning) and serious illness.

The most common metals found in humans are cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury. Aluminum, although not a heavy metal per the definition above, is also a chemical element of concern due to its prevalence and toxic affect in humans.

Varying degrees of exposure may be associated with many degenerative conditions. Symptoms may include: learning problems and autism in children, tremors, anxiety, forgetfulness, emotional instability, insomnia, fatigue, weakness, anorexia, cognitive dysfunction, allergies, dyslexia, hyperactivity, weight loss, shaky hands, muscular weakness, and paralysis (beginning in the forearms), arthritis, colic, nausea, numbness, lack of concentration, fragile bones, alopecia, anemia, migraines, loss of taste and smell, poor appetite, loss of coordination, disorientation, mental confusion, heartburn and flatulence.

You may have completed a hair mineral analysis which shows you have higher levels of specific metals, or suspect you have been exposed to a certain metals. Knowing common sources of heavy metals in order to avoid exposure, and following the dietary recommendations below can help protect against and reduce your levels of heavy metals.

*Eat plenty of organic fruit and vegetables. They contain anti-oxidants (vitamins C, E, and A), and phytochemicals which are known to inhibit the toxins. They also contain fiber. Broccoli, asparagus, spinach, apples and avocado are particularly good.

*Eat plenty of organic non-refined fibrous foods. They bind with heavy metals and help the body eliminate them. These should include fruit and vegetables, especially apples, onions, beans and alfalfa. Eat plenty of whole grains including wheat bran and oats. AVOID refined carbohydrates of all kinds.

*Eat quality organic protein including grains and legumes, fermented soy products and cold water fish. Eat foods with sulpher containing amino acids including onions garlic and most meat and fish.

*Use organic garlic and coriander in your cooking. Both are known to reduce certain heavy metals in the body.

*Eat calcium from cheese, green leafy vegetables and ensure you get enough vitamin D which ensures calcium is utilized. Sources of vitamin D are cod liver oil and sunshine (minimum 15 minutes per day).

*Avoid high fat diets. Toxic metals tend to accumulate in fat. So avoid excessive dairy, nonorganic red meat and big fish such as swordfish, shark and tuna.

*Also eat plenty of foods high in zinc and selenium such as nuts and seeds, cold water fish, oysters, some red meat, organic eggs as they tend to antagonize and reduce heavy metals in the body.

*Avoid tuna, shark, swordfish and shellfish as they can accumulate mercury and cadmium deposited in the ocean.

*Eat foods high in iron which is an antagonist to many metals such as pumpkin seeds, parsley, prunes, cashews, meat and poultry.

*Use filtered water as tap water can be contaminated with low levels of toxins.

*Avoid processed foods containing additives since they can contain heavy metals and interfere with detoxification.

Many things we see around the home are made from minerals and metals. This shows their importance in our everyday lives. They are valuable, finite and non-renewable resources. They comprise of vital raw materials for basic industries and are a major resource for development. They contribute to a great extent for a country’s foreign exchange resources

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for Metals Products manufacturers, exporters, suppliers, importers and wholesalers of mineral & metal products. This consists of asbestos & asbestos products, aluminum, aluminum products, copper & copper products, diamonds-polished, ferroalloy & products, iron & steel castings, iron & steel products, lead & lead products, magnetic materials, metal waste, mining machinery, wire mesh, wire ropes and zinc & zinc products, copper mineral, aluminum mineral, mineral properties, titanium mineral, mineral gemstones, industry metals, Mineral & metals buyers, mineral & metals seller, global minerals and metals, etc.

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