Heavy Metals & Toxicity

HOW COMMON ARE HEAVY METALS FOUND IN HUMANS?

The rhetorical answer is: If humans breathe, drink, put creams on their skin or eat, they are likely contaminated. Heavy metals and other toxins enter our bodies through all of the above mentioned processes.

Let's look at radioactive elements that come from coal alone. Research is now showing we are not only exposed to the coal burning in America but from China and other countries around the world. I recently heard in a seminar, that China is adding one coal burning electrical generating plant per week to keep up with demands.

Some trace elements in coal are naturally radioactive. These radioactive elements include uranium (U), thorium (Th), thallium (Ti) and their numerous decay products, including radium (Ra) and radon (Rn). There are other coal constituents such as arsenic, selenium and mercury that contaminate us.

Assessment of the radiation exposure from coal burning is critically dependent on the concentration of radioactive elements in coal and in the fly ash that remains after combustion. Radioactive elements from coal and fly ash come into contact with the general public when they are dispersed in air and water and are included in commercial products that contain fly ash, like additives to concrete building products. These also contain radon.

Dr. Carin Smit, a South African clinical metal toxicologist said that the situation could no longer be ignored. She said, "There is evidence of harm for these children in my care and… it is imperative that their bodies be cleaned up and their metabolisms be supported to deal with such a devastating presence of radioactive material."

Dr. Smit feels large amounts of coal burning could indeed have effects both from heavy metal poisoning itself and also from genetic defects caused by the low level radiation. One of the main chemical effects associated with exposure to uranium and its compounds is kidney toxicity. This toxicity can be caused by breathing air containing uranium dusts or by eating substances containing uranium, which then enters the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the uranium compounds are filtered by the kidneys, where they can cause damage to the kidney cells.

The extent of damage from exposure to a uranium compound depends on the solubility and the route of the exposure. Inhalation and ingestion are the main sources with external radiation being less severe.

Next week I will explain more about where heavy metals come from and how to minimize your exposure to them.

In the meantime consider utilizing the Ion Cleanse De-Tox baths they are one of our best defenses in eliminating the toxic load of heavy metals in our bodies. Ask about our New Year Metal Free Program!