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The Most Commonly Known Heavy Metals
Commonly used in the manufacturing industry and the third most readily available mineral (in the Earth's crust), aluminum has a relatively high density, thus toxic to some extent to the human body; it is leached from the soil to the atmosphere where it mixes with water vapor and comes down as acid rain. Although you might not know this, aluminum prevents the normal distribution and absorption of essential minerals, including iron, calcium, and phosphorus. One can get aluminum exposure from certain vaccines, processed foods, canned foods, drinks, antiperspirant deodorant, and municipal tap water. Aluminum is easily absorbed by the body and the bloodstream, making it quite dangerous; exposure to aluminum can trigger many health conditions, such as neurodegeneration, bone disorder, poor cognitive function, anemia, and breast cancer. Although some studies have shown that some of these metals have a concerting effect, exposure to more than one heavy metal can have a devastating effect on your health.
Cadmium is soluble in water, and it has a relatively high density, thus harmful to the human body and other living organisms. Although considered toxic, scientists are yet to uncover how cadmium poisons the body. Understanding the effects of cadmium on the body and sources of the same can help you avoid or limit exposure. The most common sources of cadmium include contaminated foods and tobacco, and some occupations, such as battery manufacture, metalworking, and soldering, may also expose you to such. Once absorbed in the body, cadmium will "camp" in the kidneys, causing poor calcium metabolism, osteoporosis, kidney stones, and kidney failure.
Mercury is presumably the most toxic known heavy metal; it can be absorbed directly by the skin if one has an open wound and bind to fatty substances, causing inflammation, oxidative stress, overstimulation of the brain, and cell damage. Unlike most heavy metals, mercury depletes antioxidants in the body, leaving it vulnerable to toxicity and brain cell damage; the most common sources of mercury include some vaccinations (those with thimerosal), silver tooth fillings (dental amalgams), and large seafood (shark, swordfish, tuna, etc.). Mercury also targets and is stored in the kidneys, liver, myelin (the nervous system), and the brain; exposure to mercury can thus lead to brain fog, depression, chronic fatigue, brain damage, poor memory, migraine, kidney disease, liver disease, neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, etc.), and cardiovascular diseases.
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Symptoms Of Heavy Metal Exposure
The symptoms of exposure to heavy metals may vary from one person to another, depending on the type of metal, exposure level, and overall health. Individuals with a strong detoxing ability have a higher tolerance to toxic metals than those with a weak detoxification ability. Some individuals may be hypersensitive to even the slightest exposure to heavy metals.
Some of the shared symptoms of exposure are brain fog, chronic fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, and depression. Chronic inflammation may also be a sign of exposure. This sometimes leads to cancer.
