Simple Ways To Detox Heavy Metals
October 10, 2025
Heavy metals are metallic elements that can be toxic in high amounts, such as lead, aluminum, nickel, uranium, mercury, arsenic, thallium, barium and cadmium. While some metals like iron and zinc are essential in trace amounts for healthy bodily function, enviromental heavy metals play no beneficial role in the human homeostasis. These toxic metals first enter the bloodstream, then travel throughout the body, penetrateing the cells of various tissues and organs, where they can remain for years, causing all types of havoc.
The Origins Of Heavy Metal Build-up In The Body
- Air pollution (industrial emissions) - mercury, lead.
- Batteries - nickel, cadmium, lead.
- Cookware - aluminum, non-stick coatings.
- Canned food & drinks - tin, aluminum.
- Chocolate - cadmium, lead.
- Cosmetics - cadmium, lead.
- Dental fillings - mercury, nickel.
- Deodorants - aluminum salts.
- Electronics - lead, cadmium, thallium.
- Fashion jewelry - nickel, cadmium.
- Flourescent bulbs - mercury vapor.
- Household cleaners - lead, cadmium, aluminum.
- Leafy greens & veggies (fertilizers) - cadmium.
- Older Paint - lead, chromium.
- Pharmaceuticals - aluminum binders, titanium dioxide.
- Processed foods - lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic.
- Rice & grains - arsenic, cadmium.
- Seafood - mercury, arsenic.
- Tap water - arsenic, aluminum, lead.
- Vaccines & injections - aluminum salts, mercury compounds.
Did you know that we are exposed to over 80,000 chemicals every single day? Of course the biggest, most rational and obvious way to reduce enviromental heavy metals and toxins, would be to stop spraying crops with toxic fertilizers & pesticides and our stratosphere with aerosols... but maybe that's too much like right.
Unfortunately, heavy metal exposure has become a prevalent part of modern living. What many people may not realize, is the impact these toxins can have, even on those of us that try our darnedest to live clean and healthy lifestyles. It poses a major health risk, because the body simply can't fully and effectively clear away these toxic metals, so overtime, they end up accumulating in the brain, liver, bones and tissues, which can lead to serious health problems.
- Lead - neurological damage, impaired cognitive function, developmental delays in children.
- Mercury - neurological damage, kidney issues.
- Arsenic - skin lesions, cancer, cardiovascular issues.
- Cadmium - kidney damage, bone fragility.
- Aluminum - neurological damage, cognitive decline, toxic to nerve cells.
- Barium - gastrointestinal disturbances, muscle weakness, kidney damage.
- Uranium - kidney damage, cancer.
- Nickel - skin rashes, dermatitis, carcinogenic, lung and nasal cancers, respiratory irritation.
- Thallium - gastrointestinal, nervous system, liver, kidneys, heart, neurological effects such as peripheral nerve damage and hair loss.
Exposure to toxic heavy metals may be a contributing factor, if not the actual root cause, of low energy, cognitive issues and mood swings. Chronic heavy metal symptoms, which develop slowly over time may include, headaches, fatigue, joint pain and gastrointestinal issues. Acute heavy metal symptoms, which occur after a high-dose exposure can include, confusion, nausea, vomiting and even loss of consciousness.
Now, I haven't shared all these facts, so we're left feeling like powerless victims. No, my purpose is to communicate what exactly we can do about it - DETOX! I know a lot of people hear that word and think, I've got way too much going on to do a cleanse. But let me just say, a heavy metal detox doesn't have to infringe on our regular daily activities. It can be a gradual, gentle process customized to our individual needs.
First and foremost, to detox effectively, we need binders! Binders are substances that attach to toxins like a magnet and work like sponges to soak up the mess and usher it out through the colon. They catch what the liver and lymph system dump into the digestive tract. To chelate means to bind organically. Chelation is the main way to remove heavy metals from the body. Without binders, heavy metals can get reabsorbed back into the bloodstream. Binders also help reduce detox symptoms like headaches and fatigue.
8 Effective Binders For Detoxing The Body
- Activated Charcoal - used to treat poisonings, drug overdoses and general toxins.
- Bentonite Clay - helps remove lead and other toxins, parasites and pathogens.
- Chlorella - helps rid the body of mercury, arsenic and radiation.
- Spirulina - similar results as chlorella, but a bit gentler on the system.
- Zeolite - uses a negative ion exchange to detox from aluminum, mercury, histamine, ammonia, cadmium and lead.
- Silica - helps discharge aluminum from the body.
- Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) - facilitates the excretion of lead, mercury and cadmium.
- Diatomaceous Earth - helps clear the digestive tract of parasites and decalcifies the pineal gland.
Certain fermented foods also have properties that can help bind and reduce heavy metals in the body. This is attributed to the presence of certain good bateria strains and beneficial compounds produced during the fermentation process.
5 Fermented Foods With Robust Detox Properties
- Sauerkraut - fermented cabbage contains enterococcus bacterial strains that help remove copper, lead and cadmium.
- Kombucha - gluconic acid is a cellular detoxifier associated with the excretion of heavy metals through the kidneys.
- Kimchi - bioactive chemicals like isocyanate and sulfide help rid heavy metals from the liver, small intestine and kidneys.
- Olives - lactobacillus pentosus bacteria in olive fermentation helps eliminate heavy metals during digestion.
- Yogurt - probiotics in yogurt boost gut microbes acting as a protective barrier against metals such as arsenic, mercury and lead.
Other Foods & Supplements That Aid Detoxification
- Chlorophyll - is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory with molocules that bind with heavy metals for easy elimination.
- Raw Cilantro - this herb has chelating properties that bind to heavy metals and help flush them out of the body.
- Garlic - contains organosulfur compounds, like allicin, which support the liver's ability to neutralize and eliminate toxins.
- Global Healing brand, offers a heavy metal detox tincture called Microsomal® Foreign Protein Cleanse.
- Bioray brand, offers NDF+® Detox that supports the removal of toxic heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides.
It's important to remember, that while we work on releasing these heavy metals from the body, we might notice some symptoms getting worse before getting better. This is a common die-off reaction that occurs whenever we do any type of body cleanse. It's called the Herx response and typically happens during the first few days, as metals are moving their way out of the body, but haven't been fully released yet. Potential heavy metal detox symptoms can include fatigue, headaches, joint pain, loss of appetite or digestive issues.
5 Simple Ways We Can Assist The Cleansing Process
- Fast - fasting a few days before starting a cleanse is a great way to kickstart the detox process.
- Hydrate - drink plenty of water to help flush out toxins.
- Morning Routine - start each day with a little lemon in our water. This wakes up and primes the liver for cleansing.
- Sweat - engaging in activities that induce sweating, like exercise or using a sauna, helps eliminate toxic metals.
- Detox Bathes - add 1/2 cup of epson salt, 1/4 cup of bentonite clay and 1/2 cup of baking soda to bath water and soak for 20 minutes.
A heavy metal detox, is essential now more than ever for improving and maintaining our health and well-being amid increasing environmental toxins. Start slow, listen to the body and focus on supporting its natural detox abilities. Avoid aggressive chelation to prevent mineral deficiencies or strong Herx responses. Remember a gradual, safe detox strategy, tailored to our specific needs, wins the race.