Heavy metals can do significant damage to the body. Historically,
they’ve been used as “an instrument of murder” (in the case of
arsenic) and instruments of war. But most people who are exposed to
heavy metals in today’s times are through their food, water,
vaccines, or the air around them. The good news is that there are
natural ways to chelate heavy metals from your body.
In high amounts, heavy metal toxicity can cause numerous symptoms
like headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and even death. In lower
amounts toxicity from lead or mercury, for example, can have much
subtler effects. In either case, however, ridding the body of these
harmful metals is important.
Removal of heavy metals from the body is known as chelation.
This word actually comes from the Greek word “claw” and was used
because early practitioners saw substances that they believed
grabbed a hold of the metals and carried them out of the body
through the digestive system. The term stuck.
Fortunately, there are foods with natural chelation properties. In
cases of minor exposure, you don’t need to spend a fortune on
prescriptions or even supplements in order to restore optimal
health. The following are natural heavy metal chelating agents.
1. Amino Acids. Amino acids are great at removing metals from the
body so good for meat eaters. These proteins are found in eggs and
fish, among other things, and can work to increase liver health and
balance enzyme production.
2. Cilantro. Cilantro is just one super-herb that can effectively
remove heavy metals (aluminum, mercury, and lead in particular) – in
only two weeks. Also, because these metals can damper the immune
system, cilantro is also recognized as an immune-booster.
3. Food-Grade Activated Charcoal – Dr. Al Sears, MD, has his
patients use food-grade activated charcoal for general detoxifying;
this includes detoxing heavy metals. For heavy metal detoxifying, he
recommends a total of 20 grams per day, spaced apart in two to four
doses, over a 12 day period. I prefer taking a heaping tablespoon
once in the morning, well before breakfast for general
detoxification.
4. Brazil Nuts: Not necessarily a chelation food, Brazil nuts
actually work to restore the good minerals, like selenium and zinc,
that may be lost in the chelation process.
5. Onions and garlic. The sulfur in onions and garlic can also work
to eliminate heavy metals. Along with these, things like eggs,
cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage also have high sulfur
content.
6. Chlorella. The superfood known as chlorella can serve as a mild
chelation-helper. You can find it in supplement form or as a powder
to add to various dishes.
