Heavy Metal Toxicity: The Hidden Burden on Our Health

Most of us associate heavy metals with industry, pollution, or dangerous work environments—but the truth is that heavy metal toxicity can affect anyone. From fillings in our teeth to the very air we breathe in cities, metals accumulate in our bodies over time. And because of this, many people may experience symptoms without ever realising heavy metals could be a co-factor.

Symptoms of Heavy Metal Toxicity

The signs are often subtle at first, making them easy to dismiss as “just stress” or “getting older.” Common symptoms can include:

  • Clumsiness or poor coordination

  • Low blood sugar episodes

  • Slow wound healing

  • Feeling drowsy or foggy after meals

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Changes in skin, gum, or even eye colour

  • A persistent metallic taste in the mouth

  • Increased susceptibility to parasitic infections

While these symptoms can have many causes, heavy metal toxicity is worth considering—especially if multiple signs appear together.

Everyday Sources of Heavy Metal Exposure

Metals make their way into our systems through the most ordinary aspects of modern living:

  • Mercury – often from dental amalgam fillings

  • Arsenic – found on sprayed foods; washing with apple cider vinegar and rinsing can reduce residues

  • Cadmium – present in cigarettes

  • Nickel and Cadmium (NiCad) – from batteries

  • Exhaust fumes – inhaled in cities and traffic-heavy areas

  • Galvanised metal and makeup – both can leach metals onto skin or into the bloodstream

  • Copper – sometimes from contraceptive IUDs

  • Lead – found in old piping, cement, and even dust in older buildings

Those most at risk often include smokers, people with amalgam fillings, anyone frequently eating non-organic or low-quality food, builders, mechanics, roofers, commuters, and women with fitted coils.

Where Metals Do the Most Damage

Heavy metals don’t just sit idly in the body; they disrupt critical systems:

  • Brain: Metals can impair neurotransmitter balance, leading to brain fog, poor concentration, mood changes, and in severe cases, neurological decline.

  • Liver: As the body’s main detox organ, the liver works hard to filter metals, which can lead to sluggish function, inflammation, and difficulty processing hormones or toxins.

  • Kidneys: Since they filter waste from the blood, the kidneys often bear the brunt of heavy metal toxicity, leading to impaired function over time.

Supporting the Body Naturally

Thankfully, there are ways to help the body process and eliminate heavy metals more efficiently.

  • Vitamins A, C, and E – powerful antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative stress caused by metals.

  • Cilantro (Coriander leaf) – known to mobilise heavy metals from tissues.

  • Chlorella – a freshwater algae that binds to metals, helping to escort them out of the body.

  • Other herbal binders such as spirulina and milk thistle can also support detox pathways, especially the liver.

  • Sulfur-rich foods (like garlic and onions) can enhance the body’s natural detoxification enzymes.

Because detoxing metals can sometimes redistribute them before elimination, it’s important to support lymphatic flow, hydration, and elimination pathways.

The Role of Kinesiology in Heavy Metal Detox

This is where kinesiology shines. Unlike a one-size-fits-all detox approach, kinesiology can help identify:

  • Where in the body heavy metals are most affecting function

  • Which lymphatic pathways need support to prevent toxins from simply moving around instead of being eliminated

  • The best supplement protocol for each individual, tailored to their specific needs

By using the body’s own feedback, kinesiology offers a precise and supportive way to address heavy metal toxicity, making it an invaluable tool for long-term health.

Interested in kinesiology for a heavy metal detox? Visit www.luke-mullen.com to learn more and book a session.

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