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Toxic Heavy Metals ( such as Copper) and Chelation
WHAT ARE HEAVY METALS?
Heavy metals are trace metals with a density at least five times that of water. They are stable elements that cannot be metabolized by the body and get passed up in the food chain to human beings (bio-accumulate). The most common and harmful heavy metals are Aluminum Arsenic Cadmium Copper Lead Mercury and Nickel. There are many more existing heavy metals that are not as prevalent or as harmful as the previously noted elements. Heavy metals in general have no basic function in the body and can be highly toxic. Heavy metals are present in the air drinking water food and countless human-made chemicals and products. They are taken into the body by inhalation ingestion and skin absorption. If heavy metals enter and accumulate in body tissues faster than the body's detoxification pathways can dispose of them a gradual buildup of these toxins will occur. High-concentration exposure is not necessary in order to produce a state of toxicity in the body. Most cases of heavy metal poisoning result from chronic low level exposure to these hazardous environmental toxins. In the last 50 years human exposure to heavy metals has risen dramatically. This is the result of an exponential increase in the use of heavy metals in industrial processes and products. Today chronic exposure comes from toxic waste dump and burn sites agriculture chemical products mercury amalgam dental fillings* lead-based paint tap water and chemical residues in processed foods. Personal care products- such as cosmetics mouthwash toothpaste soap shampoo and other hair care goods are also sources of contamination. In today's industrial society there is no escaping exposure to toxic metals and chemicals. In addition to the hazards at home and outdoors many occupations are subjected to daily heavy metal exposure. Over 50 professions are exposed to mercury on a daily basis. These include physicians pharmaceutical workers dentists dental workers laboratory workers hairdressers painters printers welders metalworkers cosmetic workers battery makers engravers photographers visual artists and potters. Studies confirm that toxic heavy metals can directly influence behavior by impairing mental and neurological function. They can also influence the production and utilization of neurotransmitters and can alter numerous metabolic body processes. Toxic metal elements can induce impairment and dysfunction in the blood cardiovascular system detoxification pathways (colon liver kidneys skin) endocrine (hormonal) system energy production pathways enzymatic pathways gastrointestinal tract immune system nervous system (both central and peripheral) reproductive system and urinary system pathways.
Breathing heavy metal particles even at levels well below those considered nontoxic can have serious health effects. Virtually all aspects of animal and human immune system function are compromised by the inhalation of heavy metal particulates. In addition toxic metals can increase allergic reactions cause genetic mutation compete with "good" trace metals for biochemical bonding sites and act as antibiotics killing both harmful and beneficial bacteria.
Much of the damage produced by toxic metals stems from the production of oxidative free radicals. A free radical is an energetically unbalanced molecule that "steals" an electron from another molecule in order to restore its balance. Free radicals result naturally when cell molecules react with oxygen (oxidation). With a heavily toxic load or antioxidant deficiencies uncontrolled free-radical production occurs. Unchecked free radicals can cause tissue damage throughout the body. In fact free-radical damage underlies all degenerative diseases. Vitamins A C and E are some well-known antioxidants that curtail free-radical activity.
Toxic heavy metals can also increase the acidity of the blood. The body draws calcium from the bones in order to restore proper blood pH. Toxic metals can set up conditions that lead to inflammation in arteries and tissues causing more calcium to be drawn to the area as a buffer. The calcium coats inflamed areas in the blood vessels like a bandage patching up one problem but creating another- the hardening and progressive blockage of the arteries. Without replenishment of calcium the constant removal of this important mineral from the bones will result in osteoporosis (the loss of bone density) which leads to an increased risk for fractures of the spine and hips.
*There is considerable scientific debate over this issue in the United States and abroad
General:
1. Should extra water and or other fluids be taken with an oral chelation product?
Yes I would recommend 8 - 8oz. glasses (2 quarts) of filtered water per day to be drunk throughout the day.
2. What organs or structures are the chelating agents aimed or targeted at precisely?
The heart blood vessels (large & small) nerve ganglia; systemic- the joints tendons ligaments muscles and bones.
3. How do you know if one formula is better than another?
An oral chelation formula is only good if it has four basic steps.
a) Certain ingredients that can bind to the heavy metals.
b) Certain ingredients that have the ability to mobilize.
c) Certain ingredients that must be present to eliminate what has been mobilized or it will continue to circulate and make you sicker.
d) Most formulas forget about the last step (which is extremely important step) to support and regenerate the detoxification pathways.The liver and kidneys are usually stressed or damaged as we get older and need this extra support.
4. Is it best to take supplements with your food?
Dr. Maile Pouls recommends taking supplements on an empty stomach however approximately 50% of the people will get an upset stomach when this happens they need to take their supplement with food.
5. Are all ingredients equal in quality?
No there are many levels of quality. It is important that a product can prove the effectiveness of its formula. The product should have clinical studies to prove its effectiveness
6. Do mercury amalgam dental fillings cause damage to the brain in children?
Yes not only does it cause damage to the brain it can also cause possible damage to the kidneys and immune system. Ref: Press conference of the Swedish Council for Planning and Coordinating Research Stockholm 19 February 1998 "Amalgam can cause brain damage in Children."
7. Can mercury amalgam filling cause neurological problems and memory problems?
Yes. Amalgam fillings are linked to neurological problems gastrointestinal problems sleep disturbances concentration problems memory disturbances restlessness bleeding gums and other mouth disorders. Ref: The statistical analysis 17500 system questionnaires (Tubing Norway) on Mercury from amalgam. Press conference in Jan 1997.
COMMON HEAVY METALS: SOURCES AND SPECIFIC EFFECTS
Aluminum arsenic cadmium copper lead mercury and nickel are the most prevalent heavy metals. The specific sources of exposure to body tissues where the metals tend to be deposited and the adverse health effects of each metal are identified below.
1. Aluminum
(CAS# 7429-90-5) Sources of exposure: Air (high levels of aluminum dust in the workplace) acid rain (dissolves aluminum from soil and rock) plants grown in aluminum laden soil aluminum cookware aluminum foil antacids antiperspirants appliances baking powder (aluminum containing) buffered aspirin building materials canned acidic foods food additives lipstick prescription and over-the-counter drugs (anti-diarrhea agents hemorrhoid medications vaginal douches) processed cheese "softened" and normal tap water.12 Target tissues: Bones brain kidneys skin lungs and stomach.13 Signs and Symptoms: Colic dementia esophagitis gastroenteritis kidney damage liver dysfunction loss of appetite loss of balance muscle pain psychosis shortness of breath weakness and fatigue.
Dr. McLaughlin M.D. F.R.C.P. (C) a professor of physiology and medicine and the director of the Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Toronto states "Concentrations of aluminum that are toxic to many biochemical processes are found in at least ten human neurological conditions."15 Recent studies suggest that aluminum may be involved in the progression of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) senile and presenile dementia clumsiness of movements staggering when walking and an inability to pronounce words properly.1617 Behavioral difficulties among schoolchildren have also been correlated with elevated levels of aluminum and other neuro-toxic heavy metals.18 Medical tests for aluminum screening: Blood urine feces hair and fingernails.
Everyone is exposed to low levels of aluminum from food air and water. High levels can effect the respiratory and nervous systems and the bones.19 Aluminum toxicity may also cause birth defects in new-borns. Aluminum has been found in at least 489 of the 1416 (34%) National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).20
2. Arsenic
(CAS# 7440-38-2) Sources of exposure: Air pollution antibiotics given to commercial livestock certain marine plants ores (copper and lead) smelting / refining / processing plants galvanizing etching and plating processes chemical processing coal-fired power plants defoliants drinking water drying agents for cotton pesticides herbicides insecticides seafood (fish mussels oysters) specialty glass hazardous waste sites and wood preservatives.21 Target tissues: Most organs of the body especially the gastrointestinal tract liver kidneys spleen lungs and skin.
Signs and Symptoms: Abdominal pain burning of the mouth and throat garlic-like breath malaise fatigue cancer (especially lung and skin) coma diarrhea nausea neuritis peripheral vascular problems dermatitis skin lesions and vascular collapse.242526 Low levels of inorganic arsenic decrease the production of red and white blood cells damage blood vessels and can cause "pins and needles" sensation in the hands and feet. Long-term exposure can cause darkening of the skin and the appearance of small "corns" or "warts" on the palms soles and torso.27 Medical test for arsenic screening: Urine (best) hair and fingernails. Exposure to higher than average levels occurs primarily in the workplace near hazardous waste sites or in areas with naturally high levels. This chemical is present in at least 781 of the 1300 (60%) NPL sites identified by the EPA.28
3. Cadmium
(CAS#7440-43-9) Sources of exposure: Air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels (oil and coal) and the incineration of municipal waste materials art supplies bone meal cigarette smoke food (coffee fruits grains and vegetables) grown in cadmium-laden soil meats refined foods seafood fungicides highway dusts incinerators mining nickel-cadmium batteries oxide dusts paints phosphate fertilizers power plants sewage sludge "softened" water smelting plants tobacco and welding fumes.29 A prevalent source of cadmium exposure is from tobacco products. Most people who smoke have twice as much cadmium in their bodies than non-smokers. Thirty to fifty percent of what is inhaled is taken up into the blood stream and retained in the body. Once cadmium enters the body it is very strongly retained; therefore even low doses may build up significant cadmium levels in the body if exposure persists for a long period of time.
Target tissues: Stomach kidneys lungs immune system liver testes nervous system and the blood.
Signs and Symptoms: Nausea vomiting diarrhea gastrointestinal irritation pulmonary edema lung cancer (increased risk) kidney damage and kidney stones.
Medical tests for cadmium screening: Blood (recent exposure) urine (reflects total presence in body) and hair (less reliable).
4. Copper
(CAS# 7440-50-8) Sources of exposure: Copper is common in our air drinking water food and soil. It is found in plants grown in cadmium-laden soil animals that graze on such plants plumbing supplies (pipes faucets etc.) gardening products used to control plant diseases and fungus (fungicides) welding materials and electroplating materials
Target tissues: Eyes nose mouth lungs intestinal tract kidneys and liver. Signs and symptoms: Nose mouth and eye irritation nausea vomiting diarrhea stomach cramps dizziness headache vertigo drowsiness tachycardia convulsions and liver and kidney damage.3536 Copper toxicity has been characterized in patients with Wilson's Disease a genetic disorder that causes the accumulation of copper in body tissue. Manifestations of Wilson's Disease include hemolytic anemia cirrhosis of the liver neurologic abnormalities and corneal opacities.
Medical tests for copper screening: Blood urine and hair
5. Lead
(CAS# 7439-92-1) Sources of exposure: Air pollution soil dust lakes rivers ground water (acidic or softened) and drinking water. Mining and manufacturing processes burning fossil fuels ammunitions batteries metal products like solder and pipes roofing old paint ceramics and caulking are additional sources of exposure. Lead is in the air and attaches to dust. Lead-containing dust is removed from the air by rain. It is prevalent in and around municipal waste incinerators and landfills. Cigarette smoke is also a source of lead; people whom smoke tobacco or breath in tobacco smoke may be exposed to higher levels of lead than people whom are not exposed to cigarette smoke.
Target tissues: Lead affects almost every organ system in the body. It is absorbed into the body and distributed to the blood soft tissue and bone. The central nervous system is the most vulnerable to lead toxicity particularly in developing children.40 Lead also damages the kidneys liver gastro-intestinal tract reproductive system and the immune system.41 Signs and Symptoms: Prenatal exposure may cause premature birth and underdeveloped babies. Young children exposed to lead exhibit mental retardation learning difficulties and reduced physical growth.
In adults lead may decrease reaction time cause weakness in the fingers wrists and / or ankles cause hypertension and possibly affect memory. It can also cause anemia and abortion and it can damage the male reproductive system.
Medical test for lead screening: Blood urine and hair
6. Mercury
(CAS#7439-97-6) Sources of exposure: Mercury occurs primarily in two forms: organic mercury and inorganic mercury. The inorganic form occurs when mercury is combined with chlorine sulfur or oxygen. The organic form occurs when mercury is combined with carbon. The most common form of organic mercury is methyl mercury which is produced primarily by small organisms in water and soil.
Metallic (inorganic) mercury is used in thermometers dental fillings batteries skin-tightening creams antiseptic creams and ointments. Other sources include fish shellfish and vapors from spills incinerators and the burning of mercury containing fuels.
Target tissues: Nervous system brain kidneys fetus lungs and skin.48 Signs and symptoms: Irritability tremors changes in vision and / or hearing and memory problems. Other symptoms include nausea vomiting diarrhea increased blood pressure and / or heart rate skin rashes gastrointestinal irritation eye irritation renal disorders and neurobehavioral changes
The EPA has determined that mercuric chloride and methyl mercury are possible human carcinogens. Mercury can pass from mother to fetus and can produce brain damage mental retardation incoordination blindness seizures and an inability to speak. Children poisoned by mercury may develop problems with their nervous and digestive systems and kidney damage.
7. Nickel
(CAS #7440-02-0) Sources of exposure: Nickel is very abundant and is found in soils volcanic ash metal coins and jewelry. Tobacco smoke certain foods and drinking water can also contain various nickel concentrations.52 Target tissues: Skin respiratory tract lungs nasal sinuses blood stomach and kidneys.
Signs and Symptoms: Itchy skin and rashes are the most common symptoms of exposure. It may contribute to asthma chronic bronchitis and reduced lung function. Nickel has also been implicated in contributing to spontaneous and threatening abortions.54 Drinking water with unusually high amounts of nickel may cause stomachaches and damage the kidneys. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that nickel and nickel containing compounds may be carcinogens. Cancers of the lungs and nasal sinuses have been reported from exposure to dust containing high levels of nickel compounds in nickel refineries and processing plants.
Medical tests for nickel screening: Blood urine hair and feces.
ORAL CHELATION AND SYSTEMIC FUNCTION
Diseases Related to the Circulatory System.
The ten top killers of Americans, in the order of frequency, are heart disease, cancer, stroke (the sudden rupture or clotting/blockage of a blood vessel to the brain), accidents, pneumonia, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries composed mainly of calcium), suicides, and infant death.57,58 All but accidents, pneumonia, suicides, and infant death have an underlying connection to reduced blood circulation. More than 90 percent of Americans live in jeopardy of having a serious illness relating to the circulatory system.
The human and financial cost of cardiovascular disease in the U.S. is astronomical. Every year, approximately 1.5 million Americans have a heart attack, 300,000 of whom die before receiving medical attention. The treatment of cardiovascular disease rings up a total of $100 billion dollars annually- or $200,000 spent every minute. Coronary artery bypass surgery (bypassing the blocked heart artery with grafted leg artery, with an average cost of $44,000) is the most frequently prescribed surgical procedure for heart disease, and costs Americans $10 billion per year. Numerous leading medical doctors and authorities have stated that coronary bypass surgery is prescribed too frequently and is often unnecessary. Nearly 20,000 people die every year as a result of bypass surgery or angioplasty (ballooning of the occluded artery, with an average cost of $21,000).
Oral Chelation and Cardiovascular Disease.
Chelation assists in the reduction of calcium plaque on arterial walls. This atherosclerotic plaque is not limited to blood vessels nearest to the heart. On the contrary, it is widespread and can affect blood flow (oxygen delivery) to every cell, tissue, gland, organ, and system being served by the over 75,000 miles of blood vessels in your body. Chelation reaches every blood vessel in the body, from the largest artery to the smallest capillary. Most of these vessels are far too small or too deep within the body's tissues to be safely reached through surgery.
Oral Chelation and Calcium
A common misconception about chelation is that it lowers the levels of calcium in the bones and teeth as the body draws calcium from them to replace the calcium drawn from the blood by the chelation process. On the contrary, the calcium to restore blood levels is drawn from places in the body where calcium has built up unnaturally, as in arterial plaque (which contributes to clogged arteries), calcified bursae (a source of bursitis), arthritic joints, and kidney stones.
The Benefits of Oral Chelation
The heightened benefits of our Oral Chelation Formula appear to result from the synergistic effect of combining EDTA with numerous natural chelating agents, such as activated clays, certain bioflavonoids, chlorella, cilantro, coenzyme Q10, garlic, L-cysteine, L-glutathione, lipoic acid, methionine, selenium, sodium alginate and zinc gluconate. Each chelating agent appears to have a predilection for different chemicals, minerals and metal ions.
The addition of nutrients known to support liver function and detoxification also increases the effectiveness of our Oral Chelation Formula. Antioxidants and essential nutrients enhance the chelation process by replacing the small losses of beneficial minerals that are removed during chelation. They promote the healing of tissues and prevent free-radical oxidative damage. As with the chelating agents, the antioxidants in this Formula help neutralize free radicals that are formed by a variety of oxidizing agents. For this reason, the Age-Less Formula contains over 30 different antioxidants.
Oral chelation can serve as a convenient, non-invasive, long-term health maintenance and prevention program. The gradual dosage delivery system significantly reduces the risk of side effects. And, our Oral Chelation Formula is safe for both children and adults. In terms of ingredients, the Formulas have two overall advantages:
1. They contain plant-based enzymes. Enzymes are the catalysts for all metabolic actions, and assist in the optimal assimilation and utilization of the food people consume. Enzymes also assist in the assimilation and utilization of other nutrients, thereby ensuring you get the most out of each ingredient. Without enzymes, proper utilization of nutrients is not achieved. With enzyme supplementation, you can assimilate and utilize up to ten times more food and nutrients than without enzyme supplementation. This gives the most nutrition for the money.
2. Aside from EDTA, the nutrients in the Formulas are whole food (plant) based, meaning that you get the full range of nutrients and co-factors found in that plant or food, rather than only isolated fractions as you find in synthetic vitamin supplements. The healing actions in this Formula appear more powerful than in synthetic blends. In addition, since the Formulas are plant based, concentrated food nutrients, there is rarely a need to be concerned about drug interactions or side effects. Rare cases of allergic reactions are the exception.
Importance of Diet and Nutrition
Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to cardiovascular disease.65 Certain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients have been identified as vital for the maintenance of cardiovascular health. Degrees of deficiency of one or a combination of the following nutrients will result in corresponding symptoms of physical disease or inadequacy in the cardiovascular system:
- Vitamins: C, E, A, D, B (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 12), folic acid, and biotin.
- Minerals: Calcium, chromium, copper, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, potassium, selenium, and zinc.
- Amino acids: L-carnitine, L-lysine, L-proline
- Coenzyme Q10.
Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to the accumulation of heavy metals in the body. When sufficient levels of certain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are maintained, the continued absorption of specific heavy metals is greatly reduced.
Nutrients Known to Protect against Heavy Metal Toxicity:
- Heavy Metal Protective Nutritional Substance
- Aluminum Magnesium
- Arsenic Amino acids (containing sulfur),
- Calcium, iodine, selenium, vitamin C, zinc
- Cadmium Amino acids (containing sulfur), calcium, vitamin C, zinc
- Lead Amino acids (containing sulfur), calcium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc
- Mercury Amino acids (containing sulfur), pectin (alginate), selenium, vitamin C
All of these nutritional supplements and more are in the Oral Chelation / Age-Less Formula.
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