Get the Lead Out!: Heavy Metal is for Rock Bands Only

     I had read all about the effects of heavy metals on the body, and I knew that my mouth had been the home of several amalgam fillings which contained mercury.  I had the last 2 of those replaced a few months ago, and I knew that the process may have exposed me to more mercury.  Thus, I expected to see an elevation in mercury when I did a heavy metals test.  What I didn't expect was a level of lead which extended off the chart!  I grew up in the 70's, when there was lead everywhere. Leaded gas, leaded paint, not just on the walls, but on the toys as well.  So, this elevated lead level should not have surprised me, but it did!

     There are many sources of lead exposure, including lead paints, batteries, solder, some toys and products from China, glazes on ceramics, leaded fuels, bullets, fishing sinkers, lead pipes, and leaded joints in municipal water systems. According to the Wikipedia,

"poisoning by organic lead compounds has symptoms predominantly in the central nervous system, such as insomnia, delirium, cognitive deficits, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Early symptoms of lead poisoning in adults are commonly nonspecific and include depression, loss of appetite, intermittent abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and muscle pain. Other early signs in adults include malaise, fatigue, decreased libido, and problems with sleep. An unusual taste in the mouth and personality changes are also early signs."

     The more lead you're exposed to, the more serious the symptoms, including, in order of severity: impairment in Vitamin D metabolism, red blood cell problems, headache, decrease nerve conduction speed, metallic taste inthe mouth, loss of appetite, constipation, poor hemoglobin synthesis, colic, anemia, tremors, kidney impairment, neuropathy (nerve disorders) and encephalopathy (brain disorders).

     Over-exposure to one metal can cause synergistic problems with other toxic metals as well.  And wouldn't you know it, I have elevated levels of mercury and barium, too.  According to my report from Doctor's Data, Inc., early signs of mercury contamination include decreased sense of touch, hearing, vision, and taste, metallic taste in the mouth, fatigue or lack of physical endurance, and increased salivation.  These symptoms can progress to anorexia, numbness, tingling, headaches, high blood pressure, irritability, and immune problems.  At the advanced level, symptoms can include tremors and loss of coordination, anemia, psychoses, manic behaviors, autoimmune disorders, and kidney dysfunction or failure. 

     You may be exposed to mercury through dental fillings, explosive detonators, a broken mercury thermometer, batteries, and fungicides and pesticides. 

     Barium exposure usually comes from diagnostic medical tests, like a barium enema. You can also be exposed to barium in some decorative glass and paints, insecticides, and some forms of water purification (using barium aluminates).  High levels of barium can interfere with calcium metabolism and potassium retention. 

     There are many other metals that can be problematic for the body, and a chart with symptoms associated with each metal can be found here.  In my next post, I will talk about Chelation Therapy, a method for removing heavy metals from the body.