Heavy metals in the human body contribute to serious health problems. Toxic heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead, uranium and aluminum may enter the human body through food, water, air, or absorption through the skin.
In today’s world, it is difficult to avoid exposure to any one or more of these metals. Natural News has reported extensively on this subject. It is, however; useful to be reminded of the foods that actually help to remove toxins from the body.
Toxins from heavy metals can result in enormous damage to the human body. Long-term exposure may result in muscular, neurological and physical degeneration and may cause cancer. Although aluminum is not a heavy metal, it is readily ingested through the use of food additives, antacids, buffered aspirin, astringents, raising agents such as baking powder, nasal sprays, vaccinations, aluminum foil and cookware.
Foods that chelate metals
Pectin, found in the rinds of various fruits and vegetables, has been found to chelate heavy metals and other contaminants from the blood stream. These contaminants are then excreted from the system through urination. Good sources of pectin are green apples, cabbage, bananas, beets, grapes, carrots and the pith of citrus fruits.
Cilantro, otherwise known as coriander, is an excellent food for removing heavy metals such as mercury, aluminum and lead from the body. This herb is believed to cross the blood-brain barrier and remove heavy metals from the brain. Taking 400 mg of cilantro a day can pretty much clean heavy metals out of the body in just two weeks, according to Robert C. Atkins MD.
Parsley is extremely effective when it comes to removing mercury from the body. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale and cabbage contain antioxidants that increase the production of detoxifying enzymes in the body. Sulfur-rich foods, such as onions and garlic, help the body to eliminate heavy metals such lead. Other sulfur-rich foods, such as cauliflower, eggs, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cabbage are able to remove some heavy metals from the body.
Natural chelating agents include amino acids, obtained from proteins such as eggs and fish.
Protein deprivation has been shown to decrease the liver content of several enzymes the body needs to remove toxins.
Chlorella is a mild chelator. Chlorella has a three-layered cell wall that contains cellulose microfibrils, which aids in heavy metal detoxification.
Alpha lipoic acid is made by the body and can be found in very small amounts in foods such as spinach, broccoli, peas, Brussel sprouts, rice bran, and organ meats. According to Dr. Lyn Patrick, alpha lipoic acid crosses the blood brain barrier and is able to trap circulating heavy metals, thus preventing cellular damage caused by metal toxicity.