Mold’s Best Friends – Heavy Metals

Be careful of heavy metals in your body and surrounding. If you are concerned about controlling mold in your body, keep heavy metals at the top of your list of problems. Why? Mold’s Best Friends – heavy metals!

There are many heavy metals that can be found in our environment. Some are created naturally and some are the result of pollution. Not all heavy metals are bad for us. In fact, some of these, including small amounts of copper, iron and zinc, play important roles in our bodies. Heavy metal toxicity can come from metals such as lead, which can be found in paint, and other house hold products. Arsenic is commonly found in well water and wood products. And, mercury can build up in fish we eat. It is also sometimes used as a preservative in medications. At very high levels, most heavy metals can cause health problems.1

Exposure to metals can occur from diet, from medications, or in the course of work or play. Sources vary, but people can be exposed to heavy metals through food, water, air, and commercial products. In the workplace, people can also be exposed as several industries use or produce metals characterized as heavy metals. Every metal is different in where it originated from and how it reacts in our bodies.

Mold and Parasites Eat Heavy Metals

According to Clinical Microbiology Reviews, Wendy Myers, FDN-P, CHHC, says, “Our body allows parasites and Candida (mold) to proliferate, because Candida and parasites eat toxic metals. You do have to bring down your metal load if you’re going to long term get rid of the parasites or candida,” Myers says. “Some parasites can eat five to six times their body weight in metals.”

Heavy Metal Symptoms

Heavy metal toxicity or heavy metal poisoning can cause a variety of signs and symptoms. While indicators of toxicity vary, several symptoms are often observed and may be telling of heavy metal toxicity:
• Nausea and vomiting
• Gastrointestinal complaints, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, heartburn, and indigestion
• Central nervous system dysfunction
• Heart problems
• Anemia
• Fingernail or toenail discoloration
• Chronic pain throughout the muscles and tendons or any soft tissues of the body
• General feeling of discomfort, fatigue, and illness
• Brain fog – state of forgetfulness and confusion
• Chronic infections such as Candida
• Food allergies
• Dizziness
• Migraines and/or headaches
• Visual disturbances
• Mood swings, depression, and/or anxiety
• Nervous system malfunctions – burning, numbness, tingling, paralysis, and/or an electrifying feeling throughout the body

Acute metal toxicity can be a life-threatening medical emergency that may require aggressive treatment in a hospital setting. If you suspect you have been exposed to a toxic metal, seek medical attention immediately.

How Do You Test for Chronic Heavy Metal Poisoning?

The best way to test for heavy metals clinically should be recommended by a doctor based on your medical history. Common heavy metals testing within the body is conducted through urine, hair and some are tested for in blood samples. Whether heavy metals in your body are causing health problems is a different question, and must be determined in conversation with your health care provider.

Common Treatments of Heavy Metal Toxicity

Treatment for heavy metals poisoning should be handled by a qualified doctor based on your medical history. Most treatment process involves use of metal chelating drugs. Some patients are also recommended intravenous Vitamin C and replacement mineral infusions that support the body through the metal removal process.

Tips for Avoiding Heavy Metal Poisoning?

The way to protect yourself and your family from heavy metal poisoning is to identify the source and remove it to prevent any further exposure. Preventing exposure in the first place is ideal. Some easy ways to do this include:

• Limit dust in the environment and remove your shoes when you go inside.
• Research local fish advisories regarding mercury levels.
• Be aware of sources of lead exposure.
• Read labels on products to see if they contain heavy metals.
• Drink water filtered with a high quality home water purification system. Tap water may contain heavy metals.
• Beware of unnecessary vaccines. Most vaccines contain harmful synthetic chemicals and many of them contain heavy metals.
• Eat food that is free of industrial pollutants such as pesticide. Many of these synthetic pollutants contain heavy metals.
• Avoid using products that are made with aluminum. Limit over-the-counter antacids because many of them contain high levels of aluminum. Aluminum is hard for the body to absorb, but the addition of citrate or citric acid can dramatically increase its absorption.
• Be selective when you buy sea food. A good portion of sea food contains some levels of mercury. Shellfish is the sea food that you should avoid the most, because it usually contains high levels of toxin.
• Ask your dentist not to use silver dental fillings.
• Avoid areas that have dangerous levels of air pollution.
• Stay away from smoking and second hand smoke. Cigarettes are full of heavy metals.
• Many cosmetics contain harmful synthetic ingredients and a good portion of them contain lead.

Cleaning Heavy Metals

Before cleaning or mitigating heavy metals from your home or office you need to understand the types and extent of the pathogen. Once identified it is important to follow industry guidelines and regulations for proper clean up.

The process of eliminating or mitigation of heavy metals depends on the type of metal detected in the environment. Different regulations and laws have been developed by the EPA to help protect the general public during the cleanup process.

When choosing a company to perform cleanup for heavy metals, check their certifications and licenses before beginning any project. We highly recommended that you hire a third party testing company to determine the scope of cleanup before work begins. After the remediation is complete, it is extremely important to verify it has been completed correctly and contaminant are at an acceptable level.

For more information on proper remediation techniques:
EPA – http://www2.epa.gov/lead/evaluating-and-eliminating-lead-based-paint-hazards

Always remember: It is important to consult a medical professional when dealing with heavy metal poisoning.

Sources

http://www.doctorjackson.org/health/poisoning.htm

https://www.platinumenergysystems.ca/what-do-heavy-metals-and-mold-toxicity-have-in-common/

Author: Carolyn Willbanks