Detoxing as a Lifestyle! 

Why is this so important ?

1. Heavy metals hinder the ability to absorb and extract the nutrients in our food and will not be able to assimilate those nutrients.  Which can be very frustrating when you are eating a mindful diet.

2. The other thing is the body doesn’t like to get rid of heavy metals so it’s so important to be mindful.

3. These metals are described as being heavy because they stick around in the body, especially hiding out in adipose tissue (fat cells). They are difficult to get rid of, making them similar to fat-soluble toxins. 

4. Body fat tries to protect the organs by trapping certain substances inside, including some metals, which causes them to linger. This is one reason weight loss can sometimes result in heavy metal detoxing, as fat cells shrink and release dormant toxins.

5. Also most metals travel through the blood bone barrier so they can be found in the brain, blood and bone.  

What exactly are “heavy metals”? Heavy metals are elements that can be toxic and very dangerous even in low concentrations. Heavy metals that can lead to toxicity (or “poisoning”)

• Mercury ( most prevalent)  dental work, seafood (most all seafood have some metal or microplastics )

• Lead

• Arsenic

• Cadmium

• Aluminum

• Nickel

• Uranium

• Thallium

• Other definitions include manganese, iron, lithium, zinc and calcium (yes, under certain conditions very high levels of even essential minerals can become dangerous)

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Heavy Metal Poisoning? 

Some of the most common warning signs that you might be struggling with heavy metal toxicity include:

• Auto immune Disease  including Lyme’s disease 

• Poor recovery from exercise and weakness

• Skin irritation
  chronic Fatigue 

• Neurological disorders

• Brain-fog, trouble concentrating, difficulty learning and poor memory

• Depression, Manic Depression and/or anxiety

• Dementia

• Insomnia

• Digestive issues, such as IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome ( gas, bloating absorption issues)  Heavy metals hinder the ability to absorb and extract the nutrients in out food and will not be able to assimilate those nutrients.  This can be very frustration when you are eating a mindful diet.

• Chronic aches and pains, such as those associated with fibromyalgia

• Tremors

• Impaired motor control, hearing, speech, vision and gait

• Higher risk for heart attacks

• Anemia

• Joint pain

Where Do Heavy Metals Come From?

Mercury Poisoning is one of the most common types of heavy metal poisoning. Almost every single person in the world has at least trace amounts of mercury in his or her body. Why? Some of the factors that can cause mercury poisoning (and other types of heavy metal toxicity) include:

1. Exposure to environmental pollutants, such as traffic fumes, air pollution, food contaminants, cigarette smoke or radiation.

2. Having metal amalgam dental fillings  (silver fillings slowly release mercury into the body).

3. Eating a poor-quality diet (for example, eating farm-raised fish that carry high levels of mercury). According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way we’re exposed to mercury in the U.S. is by consuming  fish you should not eat that contains health-hazardous heavy metals, such as tilefish, swordfish, shark, king mackerel and bigeye tuna.  BEST to Avoid all fish! A diet that includes  Processed Foods especially those that are imported from foreign countries and not organically grown (and even plant foods grown in soil that has high levels of metals) can also be a contributing factor.

4. Not eating organic .  Follow the dirty dozen and clean 15.    Some foods draw metal from the soil so it is imperative to get some foods organic.  Including potatoes.  

5. Drinking water that is contaminated with trace amounts of metals (such as aluminum).

6. From birth (heavy metals can be passed down in utero from mother to her offspring).

7. Exposure or use of household substances that carry mercury, such as adhesives, air condition filters, cosmetics, fabric softeners, felt, floor waxes and polishes, and talcum powder.

8. Getting tattoos.

9. Cookware can release metals during cooking & heating .

10. Exposure to substances that carry lead, such as some chocolates, canned foods, toothpastes, old paints, insecticides, ceramic and some pottery, and soldered pipes.

11. Use or exposure to other household items, such as antiperspirants, baking powder, certain baby formulas, plastic toys, antacids, aluminum foil, certain metal pots and pans, stainless steel cutlery, coins, and some makeup.

Foods that help naturally detox!

(Certain foods can assist with the the process known as Phyto Chemicals (plant compounds) 

1. Leafy green veggies — Greens are some of the most powerful heavy metal detox foods. Try to have some type of bitter greens each day, such as kale, swiss chard, dandelion greens, mustard greens, arugula, spinach or beet greens. Broccoli Sprouts are another great food for providing antioxidants and reducing inflammation.

2.  Herbs and spices — Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant herbs and spices like basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, thyme, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and cilantro can help remove heavy metals.   Cilantro (along with other green herbs and plants) is one of the best herbs for detoxifying and can help reduce the buildup of heavy metals like mercury and lead in the body. Try adding herbs like cilantro and parsley to fresh-squeezed green juices.

3.  Foods High in Vitamin C Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C can reduce the damage caused by heavy metal toxicity by acting as an antioxidant. High-vitamin C foods include citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruit, leafy greens like spinach and kale, all types of berries, broccoli and cruciferous veggies, kiwi, papaya, guava and bell pepper.

4. Garlic and onions,, cabbage,kale, broccoli and cauliflower – These vegetables contain sulfur which helps your liver detoxify itself of heavy metals like lead and arsenic.

Sulfur foods natural detox!   LIver is a detoxifying organ.  Filtering our blood, old hormones and eliminating inflammatory  biomarkers!

Try to have 3 cups a day!

5. Water – Drink 8 ounces of water or vegetable juice every two hours to stay hydrated and help flush out toxins.

6. Flax and chia seeds – These provide OMEGA 3 FATS and fiber that can help with detoxification of the colon and reduce inflammation.

7. High fiber diet is key.  Average person eats 13 grams of fiber a day.  We need 40

• It helps with the natural path of elimination .  

• So adding beams as things like barley are great.  

• As fiber comes as soluble and insoluble fiber/  that soluble fiber is like GLUE and can hold toxins and  metals to help rid the body!

Foods to avoid while detoxing include:

• Farmed fish – Farmed fish, especially those from foreign countries where the quality is not monitored, can contain heavy metals, dioxins and PCB’s which are highly toxic. The worst offenders are tilefish, swordfish, shark, king mackerel and bigeye tuna.  Best to Avoid Fish.

• Food allergens – If your body is fighting against common allergens  and dealing with high levels of inflammation, it will not be able to detoxify from heavy metal poisoning as well.

• Non-organic foods – These foods increase exposure to chemicals which make symptoms worse. Some of the worst offenders include conventional apple juice and brown rice products. For a list of other foods that you should always try to buy organic, see this list of DIRTY DOZEN detailing the most pesticide-contaminated produce as tested by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

• Foods with additives – Additives may aggravate toxicity symptoms and decrease your body’s ability to detoxify.

• Alcohol –Too much alcohol is toxic to the body and can make it more difficult for your 

Foods like might hinder detox. 

1. Lack of sleep,

2. Increase cal

3. Alcohol

4. Dairy and gluten.  

When we overindulge we under-nourish !

Cilantro Salad

3 bunches of cilantro chopped stems included

3 cups spinach or other greens

dressing

1/4 cup  toasted sesame oil

1/4 cup rice seasoned  vinegar

Tamari soy sauce to taste

1/4 cups chopped nuts of choice cone #3

( Brazil nut Parmesan)

Toss all ingredients together and serve, Add more sesame oil if needed

BRAZIL NUT PARMESAN

1 Cup Brazil Nuts

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

1/3 teaspoon Sea Salt

Blend in a food processor

Learn more about cookware! What to look for when purchasing and dangers of non-stick.  Click here!