How to Remove Heavy Metals From the Body Naturally (2023)

Today we’re discussing how to remove heavy metals from the body (in a natural way, of course).

Unfortunately, pretty much every person on the planet has been exposed to heavy metals. Believe it or not, most of us are exposed to them daily through vaccines, foods, cosmetics, metal filling, and water.

Heavy metal toxicity is a common condition that can lead to a variety of serious illnesses. Heavy metals accumulate in the body over time if they are not properly eliminated, and can put stress on the body, resulting in damaged organs and a weakened immune system.

What Are Heavy Metals?

Heavy metals are neurotoxins that can cause Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other brain and neurological disorders.

And while the medical establishment acknowledges the acute toxicity that occurs due to high levels of heavy metals in the body, many more people suffer from adverse effects of low-level, chronic exposure.

Examples of toxic metals include mercury, aluminum, cadmium, arsenic, lead and nickel.

A 2004 study by the Environmental Working Group discovered that blood samples from newborns contained an average of 287 toxins, including mercury, fire retardants, pesticides and chemicals in non-stick cookware.

Yet while there are dire warning signs out there trying to educate people on the dangers of these toxins, large corporations and industry advocates such as The American Chemistry Council are fighting tirelessly and greedily to block any and all proposed bans on toxic agents that may be a detriment to their profits.

Foods High in Heavy Metals

While we’re certainly not going to tell you to remove foods with heavy metals from your diet, since we need these metals to some extent, there are some foods that you should really pay attention to.

The following two foods when eaten in excess could lead to dangerous levels of heavy metals in the body.

Fish

We all know that tuna can have high levels of mercury, but what is the deal here?

Should we be worried about eating fish?

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Yes and no.

If you eat some of the larger fish like tuna, seabass, and halibut on a regular basis then you could be taking on more mercury than is safe.

This is especially true for pregnant women, who could pass on heavy metals to their children.

But in general, eating fish in moderation shouldn’t cause you any real issues.

Rice

You wouldn’t think that a food as basic as rice would carry a high amount of heavy metals, but it often does.

Why?

Primarily because of the fact that rice is excellent at absorbing arsenic, a heavy metal, from pesticides in the soil.

Certain types of rice are less likely to be high in arsenic than others, such as white basmati rice and sushi rice.

Decreasing Exposure to Heavy Metals

So what can you do?

There are an endless amount of ways you can limit your exposure to toxic metals.

You can opt for glass, cast iron, carbon steel, titanium, and enamel cookware over aluminum and non-stick cookware, which are well known for their toxic dangers, while stainless steel can expose you to carcinogenic nickel.

You can avoid cosmetics with aluminum bases, mineral powders that contain bismuth, and aluminum-laden antiperspirants. Steer clear of vaccinations that inject mercury or aluminum directly into your bloodstream.

Remove and avoid any future dental amalgam fillings. Stay away from costume jewelry if you are sensitive to metals. And avoid smoking, as it causes cadmium poisoning (and of course, lung cancer and exposure to over 4,000 other carcinogens).

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You also need to focus on eating a healthy diet, including eating foods that contain no added sugar, are natural, organic and unprocessed. These foods should be locally grown and seasonal. Make sure to eat unpasteurized dairy products and fermented foods.

Get enough healthy fats, and eat at least one-third of your food raw.

There is also a medical procedure called chelation therapy that involves administering synthetic chelating agents that bind with heavy metals in the body to remove them.

These expensive and time-consuming treatments are administered directly into the bloodstream. Fortunately, there are certain foods you can add to your diet to help eliminate these metals before they build up and create a more serious issue.

The following eight superfoods foods electrically attract and bond to the metals, safely removing them from the body:

1. Spirulina

A blue-green algae that dates back as a food source for the Aztecs in 16th century Mexico, spirulina has been shown as an effective chelating agent for removing toxins such as mercury, as well as radioactive substances from the body. It can also eliminate cadmium and lead from wastewater.

Also a complete protein, containing 8 essential amino acids, it has a plethora of other amazing health benefits as well, like the ability to prevent sniffling and sneezing associated with allergies. It also reinforces your immune system, aids in controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol, and helps protect you from cancer.

2. Chlorella

Another type of green algae, chlorella is a bit more difficult to digest than spirulina, but removes heavy metals from the system extremely effectively. Chlorella’s tough cell walls don’t break down easily, so they effectively bind to toxins in the body and thereby assist with the elimination process.

It’s specifically beneficial in detoxifying the body of mercury, which many people who’ve had dental fillings, received a vaccine, eaten fish or used certain types of cookware are likely contaminated with. This algae has also been shown to benefit those who suffer from degenerative disease.

Regular consumption of chlorella has even been shown to keep heavy metals from accumulating in our bodies’ soft tissues and organs to begin with.

3. Atlantic Dulse

A type of seaweed rich in important nutrients such as iodine, B vitamins, omega 3s and 6s, Atlantic dulse binds to metals like aluminum, mercury, copper, and lead. It carries them through the colon to be eliminated as opposed to being released back into the body.

Because it comes from the ocean, you may be concerned about whether or not dulse itself has mercury, but Atlantic sea dulse won’t release mercury it might have into the body because it holds onto it, grabbing other metals along the way and making sure all the toxins are driven out.

4. Cilantro

Cilantro is a popular culinary and medicinal herb, but can also assist with the safe removal of heavy metals within the body.

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It first garnered attention when a soup was reported to enhance mercury excretion following dental amalgam removal. It remains a popular mechanism for toxicity elimination.

It’s even been found in animals to decrease lead exposure and absorption into bone and inhibition of the delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) enzyme. Cilantro is great for consuming raw, especially when adding into salads, as a topping to meals, or even in a fresh juice.

5. Ginger

Thought to be one of the healthiest plants on earth, ginger is a miraculous medicinal powerhouse that has been used for healing for thousands of years.

It offers anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and antioxidant activities. It is also among the best herbs for heavy metal detoxification, and is often recommended in cleansing programs and detox diets.

Containing a high concentration of gingerol and shoga, which have anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects on the gastrointestinal system, there are many ways you can utilize ginger to detox heavy metals, such as a detox bath complete with Epsom salts to create a process called reverse osmosis.

The process pulls salt and harmful toxins out of the body, allowing magnesium and sulfates to enter the body.

6. Milk Thistle

An edible wild plant known to help liver function, milk thistle is one of the best detoxifying herbs. The liver plays a crucial role in the body’s elimination processes.

Its active ingredient, silymarin, protects against glutathione depletion and increases glutathione levels in the liver. It strengthens the liver cell walls, which keeps invading toxins out, and supports liver regeneration.

7. Aloe Vera Leaf Juice

Aloe vera is another great addition to a heavy metal detox. It can be taken in juice form or by using the gel from the plant. It works to loosen bowel movements so that toxins can be effectively expelled from the body.

Cut off a four-inch section of a fresh aloe leaf, trim away the green skin and spikes, scoop out the clear gel, and blend into a smoothie or even eat as is.

8. Garlic

Potent in smell, garlic adds quite a boastful kick to many meals and sauces. It’s also another natural remedy for eliminating heavy metals from the body — most specifically lead and mercury.

In 1960, a Belgian scientist discovered that, in cases of chronic lead poisoning, garlic was able to detoxify the body and bring it back to health. The sulfur in it is also beneficial in combating mercury poisoning.

Many people are exposed to heavy metals without knowing it — chances are you’re probably one of them. Think about the lead in Michigan and all the states’ reports about their water lead levels. You should include these heavy metal-cleansing foods into your diet to protect your body from daily exposure.

(Video) How Do I Remove Heavy Metals?

So there you have it, that’s how to remove heavy metals from the body naturally. Have anything to add? Let us know in the comments!

Frequently Asked Questions About Heavy Metals

Can heavy metals be removed from the body?

Yes, heavy metals can indeed be removed from the body with the right dietary choices.

There are many foods, and some medicines, that have been shown to reduce the amount of heavy metals in your body like zinc or iron.

The substances capable of removing heavy metals from the body are known as chelators, so a heavy metal detox can also be referred to as chelation therapy.

What are the symptoms of heavy metals in the body?

Some heavy metals, like iron and zinc, are healthy in the body in moderate quantities.

However, an excess of heavy metals can lead to an array of symptoms as well as in some rare cases heavy metal poisoning.

The main symptoms to keep an eye out for are gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea, kidney and liver damage, and anemia.

What foods have heavy metals?

In the case of heavy metals, it shouldn’t be a case of identifying foods that contain them and removing them from your diet.

This is because to some extent we need heavy metals to thrive, so it’s important to take them on through your diet.

Some of the foods that may have been contaminated by heavy metals during the harvesting process include cereals, wheat, mushrooms, and all types of fish.

A Final Word From Wellness Nova

Heavy metal poisoning is rare, but isn’t completely out of the question if you consume a diet rich in foods that might contain heavy metals.

Usually, though, there’s nothing to worry about, and if you do a heavy metal detox from time to time with the recommended foods then you should be fine.

FAQs

What pulls heavy metals out of the body? ›

The most common way to remove toxins from the body is through chelation. Chelation therapy is a medical procedure that involves chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body by binding to heavy metal toxin ions and allowing them to be dissolved and excreted in the urine.

What vegetables remove heavy metals? ›

Pectin rich fruits and vegetables: Pectin is a soluble fiber found in pears, green apples, citrus fruits, cabbage, beets, and carrots. Pectin has been found to increase heavy metal excretion.

What are the symptoms of heavy metal detox? ›

Heavy metal detox side effects often mirror the common symptoms of toxicity itself - they are just more profound. They can include, but are not limited to; brain fog, fatigue, mood swings and irritability, heart irregularities, pain, cramps, increased infection and skin conditions.

Does magnesium get rid of heavy metals? ›

Magnesium can remove a variety of toxins and heavy metals from your body including aluminum, mercury, and lead. While it's likely that these chemicals will only be present in your body in minute traces, even the tiniest amounts of these can be harmful. As such, flushing them out of your cells is important.

Does exercise remove heavy metals? ›

demonstrated that dynamic exercise can not only considerably affect the balance of trace elements but can also effectively remove toxic heavy metals from the body and reduce the accumulation of trace heavy metals [11].

How can I test myself for heavy metals? ›

Heavy metal testing is usually performed on a blood sample obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm or on a 24-hour urine collection. Special metal-free blood or acid-washed urine containers are used to collect the sample to lower the risk of sample contamination by any outside sources of metal.

Can you test yourself for heavy metals? ›

How do you test for heavy metals in your body? Blood or urine tests are ideal when it comes to heavy metal testing. These methods are effective for detecting both chronic and recent exposures to heavy metals (such as arsenic and mercury). Hair and fingernail testing, on the other hand, do not reflect recent exposure.

What herbs are good for heavy metals? ›

In the present study, we review the potential of medicinal herbs such as: Allium sativum (garlic), Silybum marianum (milk thistle), Coriandrum sativum (cilantro), Ginkgo biloba (gingko), Curcuma longa (turmeric), phytochelatins, triphala, herbal fibers and Chlorophyta (green algae) to treat heavy metal poisoning.

Does green tea remove heavy metals? ›

Green tea contains catechins, a powerful antioxidant known to boost levels of glutathione, a key metal detoxing agent in the body. Additionally, green tea may bind these internalized metals to be excreted through the urine, a one-two punch to clear yourself out!

What does heavy metal toxicity feel like? ›

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are common symptoms of acute metal ingestion. Chronic exposure may cause various symptoms resulting from damage to body organs, and may increase the risk of cancer.

How long do heavy metals stay in your body? ›

When an individual is exposed to a heavy metal, it will stay in their blood for about ninety days. If a heavy metal is detected from a blood test, it signifies that the exposure was recent.

How can we reduce the intake of heavy metals? ›

How can you reduce your risk of exposure to such heavy metals?
  1. Consume wild mushrooms with caution. ...
  2. Avoid cosmetics containing aluminium, such as deodorants. ...
  3. Avoid beverages in aluminium cans. ...
  4. Ceramic dental fillings instead of amalgam. ...
  5. Give preference to organic foods. ...
  6. Avoid excessive amounts of seafood. ...
  7. Use water filters.

What is the safest form of magnesium to take? ›

Magnesium glycinate -- Magnesium glycinate (magnesium bound with glycine, a non-essential amino acid) is one of the most bioavailable and absorbable forms of magnesium, and also the least likely to induce diarrhea. It is the safest option for correcting a long-term deficiency.

Where are heavy metals stored in the body? ›

Once in the body, heavy metals can accumulate over time in your bones, liver, brain, kidneys and heart. Having excess heavy metals in the body can damage vital organs, cause behavioral changes and difficulties with thinking and memory.

Is zinc a heavy metal? ›

Zinc is an essential heavy metal in the human body, and its homeostasis reflects a balance between absorption of dietary zinc and loss of zinc from the body (32). Zinc is required for the functional integrity of many organ systems, as well as for growth, development, and tissue repair (32, 45).

Do heavy metals stay in blood? ›

Normal or low levels of heavy metal in your blood usually mean that you don't have heavy metal poisoning. But some heavy metals leave your bloodstream quickly and are stored in your tissues.

What is the most common heavy metal poisoning? ›

The heavy metals most commonly associated with poisoning of humans are lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium. Heavy metal poisoning may occur as a result of industrial exposure, air or water pollution, foods, medicines, improperly coated food containers, or the ingestion of lead-based paints.

Does heavy metal cause anxiety? ›

Results: Results showed that exposure to heavy metals (CaCl2 in particular) causes severe anxiety disorders.

Do eggs have heavy metals? ›

This study revealed that the heavy metals in eggs from free-range hens are richer in essential elements such as Mn, Fe, and Zn, while poultry farm eggs contain a higher contribution of Cr, Cd, As, and Pb.

Do bananas have heavy metals? ›

Apples, unsweetened applesauce, avocados, bananas, beans, cheese, grapes, hard-boiled eggs, peaches, strawberries and yogurt are snacks that were found to be low in heavy metals. 4.

What are 5 heavy metals? ›

Frontiers | Toxic Mechanisms of Five Heavy Metals: Mercury, Lead, Chromium, Cadmium, and Arsenic.

Does cabbage remove heavy metals? ›

Pectin rich fruits and vegetables – these helps chelate heavy metals from your bloodstream and move them out of the body through urination. Good sources include green apples, grapes, carrots and cabbage.

What home remedy can I use to detox my body? ›

Here's how you can naturally detox your body with these 7 tips:
  1. Drink Warm Water With Lemon Juice. ...
  2. Swap Caffeinated Drinks With Green Tea. ...
  3. Avoid Packaged Fruit Juices. ...
  4. Purify Your Body With Water. ...
  5. Get Adequate Sleep. ...
  6. Include Probiotics In Your Daily Diet. ...
  7. Drink Cinnamon Or Fenugreek Tea.
7 Jun 2022

What Herb cleans blood? ›

Red clover extract - A very effective blood and liver detoxifier. Beet powder - Effective blood & liver cleanser. Yellow dock - Assists in the purification of blood to the glands. Milk thistle - Effective blood and liver cleanser.

Which plant absorbs heavy metals? ›

Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) and Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) have the the highest tendency of absorbing heavy metals from soil and water .

Do probiotics remove heavy metals? ›

Probiotics have unique re- sistance mechanisms that allow them to bind and sequester heavy metals to their cell surfaces, removing heavy metals from the environment, without causing cellular damage (15). The most common probiotic organisms used are from the Bi- fidobacterium and Lactobacillus (16).

How do you get rid of heavy metals in drinking water? ›

Several methods have been used to remove heavy metals from contaminated water. They include chemical precipitation [17,18], ion exchange [19,20], adsorption [21,22], membrane filtration [23,24], reverse osmosis [25,26], solvent extraction [27], and electrochemical treatment [28,29].

What is the fastest way to flush your body of toxins? ›

Drinking water is one of the best and fastest ways to flush out toxins from your system. Water transports toxins through your system via your bloodstream, making sure they're expelled from your body.

How do you know if your body is full of toxins? ›

SYMPTOMS OF TOXIC BUILDUP
  1. Chronic digestive issues. As mentioned above, efficient elimination is essential to optimal health. ...
  2. Fatigue. ...
  3. Anxiety and depression. ...
  4. Skin issues. ...
  5. Muscle/joint aches and pains. ...
  6. Cravings / Blood sugar imbalances. ...
  7. Insomnia. ...
  8. Bad breath/body odor/foul-smelling stool.
1 Aug 2018

Can Apple cider vinegar detox your body? ›

One example of a detox diet involves using apple cider vinegar — an amber-colored vinegar made from cider or apple must. Supporters of the apple cider vinegar (ACV) detox say it helps with weight loss, removal of toxins from the body, and blood sugar regulation.

Is magnesium a heavy metal? ›

Some of these heavy metals such as copper, cobalt, iron, nickel, magnesium, molybdenum, chromium, selenium, manganese and zinc have functional roles which are essential for various diverse physiological and biochemical activities in the body.

What diseases do heavy metals cause? ›

Gastrointestinal and kidney dysfunction, nervous system disorders, skin lesions, vascular damage, immune system dysfunction, birth defects, and cancer are examples of the complications of heavy metals toxic effects.

How long does it take to detox heavy metals? ›

Temperatures between 92°F and 100°F (33°C and 37°C) are ideal. A person can then soak in the bath for 12 to 20 minutes, or longer if desired, and they should avoid using soap.

What does heavy metal toxicity feel like? ›

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are common symptoms of acute metal ingestion. Chronic exposure may cause various symptoms resulting from damage to body organs, and may increase the risk of cancer.

What is the most toxic metal? ›

Mercury. Mercury is considered the most toxic heavy metal in the environment. Mercury poisoning is referred to as acrodynia or pink disease.

What are 5 heavy metals? ›

Toxic Mechanisms of Five Heavy Metals: Mercury, Lead, Chromium, Cadmium, and Arsenic - PMC. The . gov means it's official. Federal government websites often end in .

What are the signs of your body detoxing? ›

The diverse list of detox symptoms includes — but isn't limited to! — fatigue, headaches, body aches, nausea, brain fog and irritability. You may also experience acne or skin irritation because your skin is a large exit pathway for toxins.

Videos

1. Detoxify 1000s of Chemicals From Your Body Just With Food
(Dr. Eric Berg DC)
2. How to Remove Heavy Metals From the Body Naturally
(Kelly Shockley)
3. How Metal Toxicity Affects Health And Aging
(Mark Hyman, MD)
4. Our Heavy Metal Detox Experience | Bumblebee Apothecary
(Bumblebee Apothecary)
5. Heavy Metal Detox - The SAFE Fast Track - Best All Natural Chelation Technique
(Gut Feelings)
6. 10 Heavy Metal Detox Strategies
(Dr. Josh Axe)
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