toxic heavy metals Archives - Amazing Health Advances

MRI Drugs Leave Toxic Heavy Metal Residue in the Brain

The AHA! Team — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 05:49:18 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – MRIs help doctors see inside your body, but new findings have raised red flags. Medical experts want more research on health risks – especially how these metal-based contrast agents might build up in your body long after the scan. Many MRI procedures involve getting a contrast injection to improve the clarity of the images. The problem is that some patients with multiple MRIs report thinking problems afterward. These symptoms increasingly point to gadolinium, a metal used in contrast agents that may be more dangerous than we thought. New research shows it can stay in your body for years, even with healthy kidneys. What’s particularly concerning is that gadolinium might damage your cells and even your DNA. Scientific studies raise serious brain health concerns A study showed a correlation between intravenous gadolinium-based contrast agents and deposits of gadolinium found in neural tissues. Results were published online in Radiology, with lead author Robert McDonald, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic, noting that some of the administered doses of contrast agent deposited in neural tissues were surprising. Patients who have undergone routine MRIs, such as Marcie Jacobs, later reported a loss of cognitive abilities. After having memory and other brain function issues following several years of routine MRIs for breast cancer detection, Ms. Jacobs ended up on disability. Also in the journal Radiology, Dr. Emanuel Kanal, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, along with Michael Tweedle at Ohio State University, wrote that current studies “called into question” the “safety of at least some” of the agents. While the two did not call for an end to the use of these agents, they did call for increased caution in using these drugs. Are you being offered these MRI drugs? About a third of all MRIs in America still use gadolinium-based contrast agents, even as questions linger about their long-term safety. The FDA has tightened regulations rather than banning the most problematic agents outright – taking a different approach than European regulators who pulled Omniscan and Magnevist from their markets back in 2018. This safety debate isn’t new. Back in 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first required warnings after research linked certain agents to nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, a serious condition causing tissue hardening, particularly in kidney patients who struggle to clear the metal from their bodies. Despite two FDA reviewers pushing for an outright ban on high-risk agents, the agency opted for stronger warnings instead. By 2010, they recommended against using Omniscan, Magnevist, and Optimark for patients with kidney problems. In 2018, warnings expanded to include gadolinium retention risks even for people with healthy kidneys. These days, doctors typically reach for newer macrocyclic agents, which hold their gadolinium more securely and seem less likely to release it into body tissues. However, the debate continues about whether these regulatory steps go far enough to protect patients. Gadolinium brain deposits spark ongoing safety debate Brain scans after certain contrast-enhanced MRIs show gadolinium sticking around – a discovery that’s raised eyebrows across medicine even without clear proof of harm. The findings haven’t definitively shown these metal deposits cause problems, but they’ve certainly got doctors thinking twice. GE Healthcare insists its research shows no evidence of harm from these brain deposits. Bayer has been working with outside researchers to get to the bottom of things. Both companies have settled their share of lawsuits, including some involving deaths. Back in 2010, Bayer reached a settlement with a California man who claimed Bayer’s product Magnevist gave him nephrogenic systemic fibrosis – a rare but serious condition. The health dangers continue to be a hot topic of debate. Research points in different directions – some studies raise red flags while others find no smoking gun. Doctors now find themselves weighing benefits against possible risks, especially when their patients already have kidney problems. The risk to MRI patients continues Doctors now check kidney function before giving patients contrast agents, but that might not solve the problem. We’re seeing gadolinium deposits showing up even in people with healthy kidneys, sometimes months or years after their MRIs. Researchers are worried about finding these metal traces in brain tissue at much higher levels than anyone thought possible. We don’t know yet how this might affect someone’s brain function or overall health over the long haul. The data simply isn’t there. This puts radiologists in a tough spot. These contrast agents help spot tumors, inflammation, and blood vessel problems that might otherwise go undetected. That’s incredibly valuable – but at what risk? Some hospitals have started switching to newer gadolinium compounds like the macrocyclic agents, which seem to hold onto their gadolinium better than older ones like Omniscan and Magnevist. Others are cutting doses to the bare minimum or skipping contrast altogether when possible. For patients needing multiple MRIs throughout their lives, the risk increases with each scan. Many are now asking for contrast-free procedures or looking for facilities that use the newer, possibly safer agents. Until we know more, the smart move seems to use the least risky contrast agents only when absolutely necessary. Meanwhile, researchers keep studying what happens to these metal deposits in the body over time. One thing’s for sure – we haven’t heard the last word on gadolinium safety. Editor’s note: Find out more about how to keep your kidney health strong, own the Fatty Liver Docu-Class package created by NaturalHealth365 Programs, that includes the Kidney Health Docu-Class. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov FDA.gov FDA.gov Current.com Auntminnie.com Propublica.org To read the original article click here.

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WARNING: Your Protein Powder Might be Loaded with Toxic Heavy Metals

The AHA! Team — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 05:03:04 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – Protein supplements are a big business in the United States. In 2023, the market exceeded $9.69 billion. As more people strive to improve their health, lose weight, and get more fit, this figure is expected to continue climbing. The general consensus among consumers is that protein supplements are “natural,” and since they are typically found in health food stores and wellness sites, then they must be safe. But are they? The Clean Label Project’s Protein Category analyzed 160 products from 70 of the leading brands for protein supplements. The 2024-25 Protein Powder Category Report provides vital data regarding some concerning ingredients and potential contaminants that consumers should know before taking them. The results are eye-opening. An alarming 47% of the products tested exceeded the toxic metal safety threshold set forth by California Proposition 65. In simple terms, most of the protein supplements tested were potentially unsafe. Understanding proposition 65: Context for the findings To put the findings in context, you have to understand Proposition 65. This California law has a list of chemicals maintained by the state. These chemicals are believed to cause reproductive harm or cancer in humans. Businesses must place warning labels on foods containing these chemicals at levels that exceed the “safe” levels set forth by the law. The Proposition 65 list contains many synthetic and natural chemicals commonly found as ingredients or additives in solvents, dyes, household products, pesticides, drugs, and food. These chemicals may be used in manufacturing or as a byproduct of a chemical process, such as fumes or exhaust. Key findings from the study The study tested 160 products from 70 popular brands for 258 heavy metals and chemicals, focusing on heavy metals and bisphenols. The analysis yielded a total of 35,863 findings. 47% of all tested products exceeded state or federal safety regulations, including Proposition 65. 21% of all products contained more than double the acceptable levels of lead as defined by Proposition 65. Organic protein powders: 79% exceeded Proposition 65 levels for lead. 41% contained over twice the acceptable levels of lead. Plant-based protein powders: 77% exceeded Proposition 65 levels for lead. Whey protein powders: 28% exceeded Proposition 65 levels for lead. Collagen protein powders: 26% exceeded Proposition 65 levels for lead. Chocolate protein powders: 65% exceeded Proposition 65 levels for lead. 29% contained over twice the acceptable levels of lead. These findings highlight significant safety concerns regarding heavy metal contamination in protein powders, particularly in organic, plant-based, and chocolate varieties. What should you look for in a protein powder? The analysis revealed that plant-based protein powders had the highest levels of contaminants, while whey-based protein powders showed the lowest levels. If you’re looking for a safer option, choosing a product with minimal contaminants is key. For added peace of mind, consider buying from Clean Label Project Certified companies. Some trusted brands include: Genetic Nutrition Gorilla Formula 23 Nutrabox Oziva Puori Ritual Wellbeing Nutrition Wicked Protein You can also visit the Clean Label Project website to learn about more certified products and make informed health choices. Editor’s note: I highly recommend LuvByNature Grazing Goat Whey Protein – which comes from goats that graze – 365 days per year – on pesticide and chemical free pastures. No hormones, antibiotics or pesticides are used – ever. This product is non-GMO and gluten free. Sources for this article include: Cleanlabelproject.org Health.com Oehha.ca.gov To read the original article click here.

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Cilantro Benefits Include Cleansing Heavy Metals from the Body

The AHA! Team — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 05:23:17 +0000

Joy Jensen via NaturalHealth365 – Cilantro refers to the leaves of the Coriandrum sativum plant – an annual herb that offers several health benefits. It’s a popular addition to many dishes because of its delicious flavor. However, this herb is not just tasty; it’s also packed with phytonutrients, antioxidants, and essential vitamins like vitamin C, K, and A. Known for aiding in blood sugar control and fighting the production of free radicals within the body, many studies show that it can help reduce the toxic burden of heavy metals. Many everyday things contain toxic metals, including the air, water, and even our food. While your body needs trace amounts of some metals (like copper), the big concern is often getting too many metals with no biological value, like mercury or lead. Research has also highlighted cilantro’s broader health benefits, particularly its potential role in managing metabolic health. A 2023 review published in Molecules found that Coriandrum sativum polyphenols exhibit protective effects against obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes, further emphasizing its value as a functional food. Today, we’ll focus on cilantro and how to support your body’s natural detoxification process. See how cilantro targets toxins inside the human body Our bodies are regularly exposed to toxic metals like lead, arsenic, aluminum, and cadmium. Technically speaking, to be clear, aluminum is not a “heavy” metal – but, still quite harmful to human health. Unfortunately, those toxins can build up within the bones and muscle tissue. When these toxic metals reach dangerous levels, they cause chronic inflammation, poor nutrient absorption, and a variety of poor health outcomes, such as chronic fatigue and brain fog. Simply put, most holistic healthcare providers will tell you that the end result of too many metals in the body is oxidative stress – which can lead to impaired organ function, hormonal imbalances, cardiovascular damage, and an increased risk of cancer. Many studies have shown that cilantro works as a natural chelating agent, helping the body eliminate toxins. Other foods that help detoxify the body include garlic, wild blueberries, lemon water, spirulina, chlorella, barley grass juice powder, and Atlantic dulse. In addition, studies show that people suffering from mercury exposure began to feel more clear minded after they consumed a significant amount of cilantro over time. Other studies have shown that cilantro helps protect the body against oxidative stress caused by lead poisoning. Please note: When dealing with any kind of toxicity issues, it’s best to work with a qualified, holistic healthcare professional. You don’t want to cause more harm than good – when starting any detoxification program. Additional protective health benefits Beyond cleansing toxic metals from the body, cilantro offers many other significant health effects. For example, this herb helps prevent damage to the heart, aids in better sleep quality, and reduces the overall risk of oxidative stress, which supports healthy cell function. It also promotes a feeling of calmness, encourages normal blood sugar, supports brain health, and, thanks to the vitamin K it contains, supports bone health. Cilantro tea is often used to support good digestive health. Plus, the nutrients – like vitamin A – boost eye health, and cilantro oil even shows promise in fighting oral forms of candida. You can enjoy cilantro’s health benefits by consuming it fresh or taking concentrated extracts. While cilantro leaves are a delicious addition to many dishes, the fresh form of this herb goes bad quickly. So, to best harness the health benefits, consume them within a couple days of purchase. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov Medicalnewstoday.com Lifeextension.com WebMD.com NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

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Stop Disease-Causing Inflammation in One Hour!

The AHA! Team — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 06:21:18 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – There is an invisible cause of disease-causing inflammation most people never think about… And it affects almost every patient I see at the Sears Institute for Anti-Aging. Let me tell you about one of them. By the time he came to see me, my patient was feeling extreme fatigue. He couldn’t focus at work. He had no appetite and was suffering from stomach upset. He described an overall sense of weakness and exhaustion. He’d already seen a doctor who sent him for standard blood work. But the results didn’t reveal anything out of the ordinary. His second doctor told him he had high blood pressure and prescribed one of Big Pharma’s beta blockers. But he didn’t feel any better… I told him that we were going to stop the medication and test for a suspicion I had. So I measured his heavy metals and found that his cadmium was 6 times the upper limit of normal. None of his previous physicians thought of testing for this. But I don’t blame them. It’s not something you typically learn in medical school.1 Another thing most traditionally trained doctors don’t know is that even so-called “acceptable” amounts of heavy metals trigger an inflammatory response. According to a 2022 study published in the European Journal of Inflammation, heavy metal toxins – including cadmium, lead, and mercury – have directly and indirectly been linked to an increased risk of: 2,3 Neurodegenerative diseases Heart disease Type 2 diabetes Autoimmune disorders Multiple sclerosis Kidney issues Osteoporosis Cancer And despite what the EPA tells us, there are no safe levels of heavy metal exposure. You see, exposure to heavy metals activates immune cells and stimulates the release of pro-inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines and chemokines. In turn, this leads to the development of oxidative stress. As blood levels of lead and other metals increase, this oxidative stress results in apoptosis – or cell death.4,5 My Patient Is Not an Isolated Case Unfortunately, heavy metal poisoning sneaks up on you over time, so symptoms are often overlooked or chalked up to other causes. I don’t know how my patient got so much cadmium (he isn’t a smoker), but it’s not hard to guess. Common sources are things you encounter every day… burning waste, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, coffee, some processed and refined foods like hydrogenated oils – even shellfish and tap water. My patient is not an isolated case. I’ve treated hundreds of patients for heavy metal toxicity. Chances are you have some level of exposure to heavy metals. You can have some level of toxicity from: Eating foods that contain metals – especially predatory fish, wheat cereals, certain root vegetables Inhaling it through the air Drinking water from tainted supply systems Taking medications or supplements containing high amounts of metallic elements Dental work that used “silver” amalgams Smoking But the biggest contamination comes from manufacturing. These poisons are used in producing things like pesticides, glass, wood preservatives, fertilizers, paint, batteries, plumbing, hobby paints, and ink. Personal care products are also a known source.6 Protect Yourself from Heavy Metal-Associated Inflammation with IV Chelation I recommended that my patient have chelation. At his next appointment, he told me, “I feel young again instead of tired and weak.” His blood pressure was also back to normal. At Sears Institute for Anti-Aging Medicine, I routinely test patients for lead exposure and other heavy metal toxicity. My patients are always shocked by the results. At my clinic, I’ve been helping patients use chelation for years to rid their bodies of heavy metals and other toxins. It’s a safe, easy, and fast solution, with a very low risk of side effects. IV chelation delivers calcium disodium EDTA directly into your bloodstream.7 In just about an hour, this “claw” binds to the heavy metals and toxins in your bloodstream and those that have accumulated in the fat in your tissues, like your liver, and pulls them out. EDTA is an effective procedure to remove toxic metals from human organs, tissue, and blood. Help to Detox Heavy Metals at Home While chelation therapy is the most effective way to purge heavy metals from your body, I understand not everyone can do it. There are ways to detox easily at home. Here’s what I’ve found works well: First, detox with dandelion. Greens from the plant stimulate the liver and act as a diuretic for excess water. Use 5 to 10 grams of dried leaves. Then flush toxins with chlorella. This edible alga binds to toxins and pulls them out of your body. Take 1 gram with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can increase the dose to up to 3 grams three times a day. Finally, add in milk thistle. This is still my go-to detoxifier. I have been able to document its capacity to heal damaged livers by measuring serum liver enzymes. Milk thistle is the plant Silybum marianum. I recommend 200 mg in capsule form twice a day. Look for dried extract with 80% silymarin. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS References: ACAM Integrative Medicine Blog. “IV Chelation therapy: finding a doctor who will test for and treat heavy metal toxicity.” 2017. https://www.acam.org/blogpost/1092863/268860/IV-Chelation-Therapy-Finding-a-Doctor-Who-Will-Test-for-and-Treat-Heavy-Metal-Toxicity. Accessed on September 15, 2024. Ferrero M. “Neuron protection by EDTA may explain the successful outcomes of toxic metal chelation therapy in neurodegenerative diseases.” Biomedicines. 2022 Oct; 10(10): 2476. Anka A, et al. “Potential mechanisms of some selected heavy metals in the induction of inflammation and autoimmunity.” Eur J Inflam. 2022:20. Hossein-Khannazer N, et al. “The effects of cadmium exposure in the induction of inflammation.” Immunopharmicol Immunotoxical. 2020; 42:1:1-8. Haidar Z, et al. “Disease-associated metabolic pathways affected by heavy metals and metalloid.” Toxicol Rep. 2023; 10: 554–570. US Food and Drug Administration. “FDA’s testing of cosmetics for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, mercury, and nickel content.” www.fda.gov. Accessed on September 29, 2024. Ferrero M. “Rationale for the successful management of EDTA chelation therapy in human burden by toxic metals.” Biomed Res Int. 2016; 2016:8274504 To read the original article click here.

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Heavy Metal Detox Diet

AHA Publisher — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 07:00:44 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – What dietary change can simultaneously help detoxify mercury, lead, and cadmium from the body? I’ve previously explored the issue of lead contamination in calcium supplements, such as bonemeal, but bone meal isn’t all that can be contaminated. “Substantial quantities of lead have been reported in some over-the-counter calcium supplement preparations,” and testing has revealed continued public health concern over bonemeal. Thankfully, bonemeal isn’t as popular these days, so most of us aren’t likely to get exposed directly to the lead in bonemeal anymore. We may, however, get exposed indirectly through the animals we eat, as I show at 0:31 in my video How to Lower Heavy Metals with Diet. In the United States, five billion pounds of meat and bonemeal are produced annually as slaughterhouse by-products. What do we do with these millions of tons every year? We feed it back to farm animals, particularly chickens. Now, most of the lead in the bonemeal passes right through the animals into their waste, but we take that waste—that cow, pig, and chicken feces—and feed it right back to the animals once again. So, you can see how the levels of contaminants might build up in their bodies. You may remember that I’ve talked before about what all this might mean for making something like chicken soup, but the original concern about these kinds of feeding practices, such as feeding cows to pigs, chickens, and even other cows, was about spreading prion diseases, like mad cow. This kind of recycling not only magnifies prions, however; it also magnifies other toxic substances, including lead. So, a more plant-based diet may be able to lower lead exposure, and an even more plant-based diet could theoretically lower exposure even more. What happens when you put it to the test? Should we really expect to find a benefit? As you can see at 1:42 in my video, even though lead is one of the toxins found in meat, half of our dietary exposure probably comes from plant foods. In fact, dietary modeling studies in Europe suggest that vegetarians would be exposed to about the same amount of lead compared to the general population, with the exception of those who eat a lot of wild game, which can have a thousand times more lead than most other foods, as you can see at 2:02 in my video. A vegetarian diet may even be higher in lead. It’s not what you eat, though; it’s what you absorb. As I’ve discussed previously, researchers found that the uptake of toxic heavy metals from “animal food sources” into human intestinal lining cells may be higher than from vegetable sources. This is why you can have a vegetarian with some of the lowest concentrations of lead and cadmium in their blood, despite having higher concentrations in their diet. As you can see at 2:41 in my video, there seems to be a tendency towards higher fecal elimination of lead following a change to a vegetarian diet. Researchers found that nine subjects, on average, tripled their elimination of lead, three were unaffected, and four saw their levels drop by about half. The study only lasted a few months, though, and the difference wasn’t statistically significant. So, what would happen in a year? Subjects made the shift to a diet “characterized by large amounts of raw vegetables, fruits, unrefined foods, and whole-meal products [whole grains] and the exclusion of meat, poultry, fish, and eggs” (though it did include fermented dairy, like a type of soured milk). They also cut back on processed foods and junk. Researchers took clippings of their hair before and after the dietary shift and got significant reductions in heavy metals, including cutting their lead level nearly in half. As you can see at 3:28 in my video, within three months of the dietary shift, the mercury, cadmium, and lead that had been oozing from their body into their hair went down and stayed down. How do we know the reduction in toxic heavy metal levels wasn’t just a coincidence? A few years after the study was over, after the participants had gone back to more of their regular diet, their mercury, cadmium, and lead levels shot back up to where they were before. Researchers found the same with a different group of subjects after two years on a vegetarian diet. The drop in mercury is easy to explain, as it’s presumably due to the drastic drop in fish consumption, and the drop in alcoholic beverages may have contributed to the drop in lead. There also could have been a cadmium-like effect, where the decrease in hair lead content could be due to the dietary shift that resulted in less absorption of lead into the body in the first place. I have a 16-part series on lead, starting with How the Lead Paint Industry Got Away with It. The series includes videos with specific food recommendations. For example, check out Best Food for Lead Poisoning: Garlic and Yellow Bell Peppers for Male Infertility and Lead Poisoning? KEY TAKEAWAYS Substantial quantities of lead have been found in some over-the-counter calcium supplements, and there is continued public health concerns over bonemeal. Although bonemeal is not as popular today, we may be getting exposed to lead indirectly through the animals we eat. Millions of tons of meat and bonemeal are produced each year in the United States as slaughterhouse by-products and may be fed back to farm animals, particularly chickens. Most of the lead in the bonemeal passes through them into their, but that cow, pig, and chicken feces may then be fed back once again to farm animals. In this way, levels of contaminants may build up in their bodies. These kinds of recycled feeding practices, such as feeding cows to pigs, chickens, and even other cows, facilitate the spread of prion diseases, like mad cow, but they also magnify other toxic substances, including lead. Lead is a toxin found in meat, but half of our dietary exposure likely comes from plant foods. (Notably, wild game can have a thousand times more lead than most other foods.) It’s not what we eat, though; it’s what we absorb, and researchers have found that the uptake of toxic heavy metals from “animal food sources” into our intestinal lining cells may be higher than from vegetable sources, explaining why vegetarians can have some of the lowest concentrations of lead and cadmium in their blood, despite having higher concentrations in their diet. After changing to a vegetarian diet, there seems to be a tendency towards higher fecal elimination of lead. Indeed, researchers took clippings of study participants’ hair before and after the dietary shift and found significant reductions in heavy metals, including cutting their lead level nearly in half and lowering the mercury and cadmium in their bodies. A few years after the study concluded and the subjects had gone back to more of their regular diet, their mercury, cadmium, and lead levels elevated back up. To read the original article click here.

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