Banish Toxic Heavy Metals From Your Body… Safely and Naturally

In my last blog post, I discussed the impact of toxins in our bodies in light of the recent study linking autism development in infants to environmental toxin exposure. Today, however, I’d like to shine a spotlight on what may well be the most important aspect of any detoxification program: heavy metal chelation.
The fact of the matter is that heavy metals—like lead, aluminum, and mercury—are deadly. Given their abundance in the environment, where they lurk in everything from fish to dental fillings, the role these toxins play in disease formation (whether you’re struggling with depression, Alzheimer’s, or cancer) is downright impossible to ignore.

Incorporating chelation into your own cleanse is always a wise idea. There are several ways to do this, of course. But in my experience, an approach that is both gentle and gradual will also be the most effective. My method of choice: a tailored blend of modified citrus pectin (MCP) and seaweed-derived alginates.
Not only is this combination clinically proven to remove up to 74 percent of heavy metals from the body within one to six months, but it also achieves this goal without leeching essential minerals from your body in the process. At the same time, it prevents the re-absorption of toxins in the digestive tract—another common pitfall of time-consuming, expensive, intravenous chemical chelation methods.

As effective as this supplement might be, however, remember that heavy metal loads were accumulated over a long period of time—and as such, you can’t expect effective chelation to happen overnight. So while regular use of an MCP/alginate supplement makes up the initial phase of my heavy metal detox protocol, adding secondary support can expand your efforts considerably. And for that, I’ll use an additional chelator that includes natural ingredients such as garlic and cilantro.

Sulfadryl groups are also helpful—namely sulfured amino acids, which can play a critical part role in binding mercury. They are required for phase II detoxification and the ultimate elimination of heavy metals, and are also able to bind to heavy metals in the gut. In fact, I like to use a number of these compounds with my patients, as each has an affinity to a different part of the body.
Minerals are another important element in the detoxification and chelation process—the two most important being zinc and selenium. Using herbs in your regimen can help bring the detoxification process to life, offering you some momentum along with additional protection for your body through elimination support.

For example, you want to make sure that the chelation compounds you use are able to circulate and reach the areas of stagnation where heavy metals and toxins may be deposited. This is possible through “adaptogenic” support—that is, by supplementing with herbs that can increase your body’s resistance to stress, an important principle that’s often overlooked in conventional detox programs. When you detoxify, it’s essential to tone and strengthen your body to help it through the process. An example of an “adaptogenic” herb that can be used for this purpose is astragalus, which also supports elimination, serving as a gentle diuretic. Similarly, herbal support to achieve digestive elimination will assist with liver discharge—which is always an important component in chelation and overall detoxification.

The bottom line: With patience—and the right supplements—long-lasting heavy metal detox isn’t nearly as difficult as it seems. In the end, the benefits of effective chelation—for your energy, your mood, and your overall health—are always well worth the effort.