Metal Toxicity: Your Brain Under Siege
by
Heather S. Oliff, PhD
Natural ToxinsMetals can be found all around. They are a natural part of the environment but can also be added from manufacturing. Many metals can enter the food system this way. They may pass into water that we drink or be in grains used in food chain. The metals are also used in making common items. We may be exposed to metals through:
Some metals play important roles in the body. They are still harmful in high amounts. Others only cause harm. Most metals can effect the brain which makes them dangerous. The Brain As a Target OrganToxins will build up specific organs. This will determine what symptoms will be. Heavy metals often affect the brain and spinal cord and may cause:
Children at RiskThe brain and spine develop quickly through childhood. Toxins can cause more harm during this time than later in adulthood. Children also eat more calories per pound of body weight than adults. This may increase the level of toxic metals from food. Infants also have a habit of putting things into their mouths. This can increase exposure of some metals, especially lead. High levels of lead in the blood have been tied to lower IQ, poor school grades, and behavior problems. High levels of blood lead can be life-threatening. Mercury PoisoningMercury is used in many industries. There have been many outbreaks of mercury toxicity. Industry in Japan spilled waste into a bay that many fished in. Eating the fish caused mercury poisoning in many residents. A beauty cream made in Mexico caused another outbreak in many countries. In the HomeMercury can be found in thermostats, fluorescent light bulbs, barometers, glass thermometers, and blood pressure devices. Mercury may spill out if the devices are broken. Vapors from the mercury may also be released into the air. Major efforts are underway to remove mercury in households. For example, mercury thermometers are no longer made or used in medical centers. The amount of spilled mercury is important. Smaller amounts can be managed by individuals. Follow the directions from the http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills. You may want to print these directions. Keep them for later reference in case you cannot use the internet when a spill happens. Spills larger than the amount found in a thermometer are an environmental emergency. It will need to be cleaned up by a professional. For larger spills follow EPA directions to:
CosmeticsEye-area cosmetics may also have mercury. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows no more than trace amounts. The agency keeps a close watch for reports of problems. Products may be banned if high levels are found. Dental FillingsA type of dental filling has some mercury. Dental amalgam or silver fillings have about 50% mercury. Mercury vapors can be released over time. The FDA states that the amount of mercury is well within the safe level for the body. Fillings have been tracked for many years. The research has not shown that this type of filling is harmful. You can ask for fillings made of other material. They may not be right for some needs. The dentist can go over your choices. Lead PoisoningLead can build up in the brain and cause injury to the cells. The brain has a natural barrier that keeps germs and other items away from the brain. Lead can cause breaks in this barrier. It allows drugs and toxins to better access the brain. Lead also damages cells in the brain that are important for learning and memory, behavior, and the muscle coordination. That is why it is so important to make sure that children do not eat paint chips or inhale lead-containing dust. DishesSome dishes with a lead-based glaze. Crystal glasses may also be leaded. You may absorb some lead when you use them. New products will have warning labels. Older pieces, like antiques, may not have warning labels. PaintLead-based paint is another source of lead poisoning. Most houses built before 1978 has lead paint. The lead can be found in house dust, which can be inhaled or flaked off chips of paint. Infants may put flakes or dust in their mouth. Local health department offer programs to help get rid of lead that may pose a risk to children in homes. SoilLead occurs naturally in the soil. The amount has been increased by leaded gas deposits (no longer used), paint chips from outside areas, or industry. Lead exposure happens when soil is eaten, again common in young children. Vegetables that grow in lead-contaminated soil can also increase lead in the body. PlumbingOlder buildings may contain corroded lead plumbing pipes and fixtures. Exposure can also happen from pipes that are not often used. The longer water sits in pipes, the more lead it is exposed to. Water companies monitor lead content. Look for local water reports. AluminumAluminum is found in common products such as antacids (Maalox Advanced Regular Strength, Mylanta), pain relievers (Bufferin), antiperspirants, cosmetics, and pots and pans. It is easy to see how aluminum enters the human body. There are also less obvious aluminum sources including many of our foods and water sources. Aluminum is the most common metal in the earth’s crust. It has no natural job in the human body. This may be why our gut is very bad at absorbing it. Less than 1% of aluminum we eat is absorbed into the body. Healthy kidneys can often remove what does get absorbed. Those with kidney problems may have trouble removing aluminum. This can lead to a dangerous build up, dementia,and other problems of brain or spine. And the List Goes OnMany metals play important roles in the body. It is the high levels that can cause trouble. Some illnesses may also make it hard for the body to get rid of metals which can lead to problems. Metals known to cause injury are manganese, iron, copper, thallium, and cadmium. Mercury, lead, and arsenic are probably the most serious metallic threats to human health. This is why it is important to know what we take into our home or bodies. RESOURCES:Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov United States Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov CANADIAN RESOURCES:Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca Healthy Alberta
http://www.healthyalberta.com References:
Aluminum measurement, blood. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed.... Accessed June 8, 2020.
Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated April 1, 2019. Accessed June 8, 2020. Lead. US Environmental Protection Agency website. Available at: www.epa.gov/lead. Accessed June 8, 2020.
Lead poisoning in children. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed.... Updated June 2, 2020. Accessed June 8, 2020.
Mercury in your environment. US Environmental Protection Agency website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed June 8, 2020. Prevention tips. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated July 30, 2019. Accessed June 8, 2020. Public health statement for mercury. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed June 8, 2020. Last reviewed June 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
Last Updated: 6/8/2020 |
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