Effects Of Heavy Metals On Human Body

Since we all are exposed to heavy metals every day, they start building up in our body ‘s tissues. They are present in the air, water, and food supply. This is the one main reason people face issues in living a healthy life.

When we have prolonged exposure to certain metals like zinc, copper, cadmium, and lead, it can cause a damaging effect on us. This is called heavy metal poisoning.

Along with air, water, and food, heavy metal poisoning is caused due to:

• Medicines
• Improperly covered food containers or cookware
• Consumption of lead-based paint
• Industrial exposure
• Environmental pollution

Mercury, cadmium, and lead are the most harmful toxins. Usually, they enter your body through water, food, and skin.  These toxins can initiate oxidative stress that can lead to cellular damage.

If you feel any of the following signs or symptoms, then there are chances that toxins of heavy metals could be affecting your body.

If you have acute heavy metal poisoning, symptoms may include:

• Numbness
• Nausea
• Vomiting

If you have chronic exposure to heavy metals, symptoms may include:

• Weakness
• Headache
• Constipation
• Joint or muscle pain

Not all the metals are harmful to you, we do need some to stay healthy such as copper and iron. All you need is to limit their intake. Only the specific heavy metals that are in your body due to unhealthy accumulation cause diseases and health issues. Here we have listed metal toxins and their harmful effect.

1. Mercury toxins: Mercury is usually found in seafood, dental fillings, thermometers and more and can be highly toxic to your body. It can also be consumed by tainted food. These toxins store in your blood, brain, bone, liver, and kidney. It leads to insomnia, memory loss, nervous system breakdown, and violent muscular spasms. In a few cases, high exposure to mercury has caused even deaths. People who work in industries like vaccine production, and coal power plants are prone to these toxins.

Products that contain a high amount of mercury:

• Bluefish
• Sea trout
• Tuna
• Sablefish
• Snapper

1. Lead toxins: It has been a long time that excess exposure to lead has been proved dangerous. Old homes, tobacco smoke, drinking water are a potential source of lead toxins. Homes that have lead-based paint, cause public health issues. Because of that regulations have reduced the use of lead-containing paints many years ago. When you have lead exposure, it gets into your blood vessels and starts depositing on bones, brain, and soft tissues. It is hazardous to children as well as pregnant women.

Here we have listed some products that contain lead

• Car batteries
• Crystals
• PVC plastics
• X-ray shields
• Cable covering
• Pesticides

2. Aluminum toxins: Aluminum is a very commonly used component in our daily life. It is found in foils, cookware and cans, and processed cheese. When it enters your body, it can be absorbed by the kidneys, liver, thyroid, lungs, and brain. These toxins can cause Alzheimer’s and Parkinson, and in worse scenarios, cause a brain tumor. Its vapors can be inhaled by the individuals working in mines and during welding.

Along with cans and foils, these products may contain aluminum:

• Baking powder
• Toothpaste
• Lipsticks
• Dentures
• Nasal sprays
• Antacids

3. Cadmium toxins: It is mostly used in industries that manufacture batteries and its exposure can damage the lungs, kidneys, eyes, and liver. Additionally, its exposure can happen through contaminated food and cigarettes including rice. It takes a lot of time to exit and cause severe damage to your reproductive system and affect the cardiovascular system. Another critical effect of these toxins is skeletal damage because of direct action on bone cell.

A list of few products that contain Cadmium

• Potato chips
• Organ meat
• Shelled seeds
• Cookies
• Celery
• Peanuts and peanut butter

4. Arsenic toxins: There is an immediate toxic effect when soluble inorganic arsenic is consumed. Its effect can be both, chronic and acute depending upon the exposure of it. It is present in the environment like agricultural runoff and cigarettes. Chronic exposure of these toxins can lead to cancer or multi-organ dysfunction. Additionally, if its effect is not deadly, it may cause enlargement of the liver, reduce blood cell production, loss of sensation in limbs, diabetes and cause heart and brain damage.

Foods and products that contain Arsenic

• Mineral Ore
• Semiconductor devices
• Photoelectric chemical cells
• Dairy products
• Cereals

Though, a total escape from metal exposure can be quite difficult as these are all around us. But you can take some measures to prevent it. Keep cleansing and detoxifying your body to reduce the toxins. If you think you have heavy metal poisoning, it is best to consult a doctor.