When most people think of getting healthy and fit, they think of losing weight and improving their stamina. But not many people think of another essential part of their health: heavy metal detox. In fact, removing toxic metals can help you meet your weight loss goals — heavy metals can cause weight gain.
Heavy metals work their way into your body through your cleaning supplies, food, and even the air you breathe. These metals can then cause bigger health problems like diabetes and depression. It doesn’t help that once heavy metals get into your body they are pretty tough to get out.
10 Things To Add To Your Heavy Metal Detox
1. Drink More Purified Water
Drinking more water for a heavy metal detox is a double-edged sword. On one hand, water is a natural detox for the body, helping to remove toxins and waste. On the other hand, the water itself is often contaminated with heavy metals. To combat this, drink more purified water. Scientists also found that adding fruit peels to water, like banana and lime, are helpful in a heavy metal detox.
2. Eat More Omega-3 Fats
Omega-3 fats help in a heavy metal detox. According to physician and best-selling author, Dr. Mark Hyman, you can “use healthy fats (omega-3 fats, olive oil, and flax oil) [and] amino acids to boost your liver’s detoxification capacity.”
Fish is one the best known sources of these fats. However, fish is also a well-known carrier of heavy metals. The simple way around this is to be more particular about the kind of fish you eat. Your best options are fresh, wild caught salmon, shrimp, and anchovies. If you’d rather not chance seafood at all, then supplements, like cod liver oil, are your best bet.
3. Include More Glutathione In Your Diet
Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally created in the body and is excellent for a heavy metal detox. Its purpose? To detoxify the body and boost the immune system.
According to Dr. Hyman, this substance is usually recycled by the body, but when toxin levels are too high your body simply can’t produce enough to keep up.
The good news is there are supplements available to boost glutathione production. There are also natural ways to boost the body’s production, such as eating bone broth, sulfur rich foods, and exercising.
4. Cook With Onions And Garlic
This brings us to the next point: cooking with more sulfur-rich foods, like onions and garlic. This doesn’t always mean throwing them into a boiling pot. In fact, garlic and onions retain their nutritional benefits best when raw. Try sprinkling them over cooked food, or mincing them and tossing them into a salad.
According to Delaware-based clinical nutritionist Dr. Scott Schreiber, sulfur-rich foods help regulate antioxidant proteins at the cellular level, which is “important in ridding the body of toxins.”
5. Sweat More
As we noted before, exercise helps to boost our body’s natural detoxifying agent, glutathione. But another great benefit of cardio workouts is that it helps you sweat. If exercising is just not a part of your game plan, then saunas are a good option as well.
According to registered dietitian Ryan Whitcomb:
Sauna treatments induce sweating and help detoxify the body of heavy metals and chemicals. Infrared saunas are said to be a little better since they can get further into fatty tissue and don’t need to be heated as high as regular saunas.
Of course, you want to make sure the sauna is not treated with any volatile chemicals that will give off fumes when heated.
He, however, cautions that steam rooms are not as effective, as the sweat remains on the skin and does not evaporate.
6. Take A Detox Bath
After all that sweating, is there any better follow-up than a bath? A detox bath, to be exact. Experts like clinical nutritionist and author Dr. Josh Axe, swear by the benefits of bentonite clay and its use as a heavy metal detox. He suggests adding the clay to your bathwater, and taking a nice, long soak.
The clay reportedly binds itself to those heavy metal toxins and removes them through your skin. An added benefit is how refreshingly smooth and hydrated your skin feels after this treatment.
7. Seaweed Spa Day
If you’re not into DIYs, then how about a seaweed spa day? Experts like nutrition consultant Dr. Lawrence Wilson, M.D., believe that seaweed wraps are an excellent heavy metal detox by removing heavy metals like mercury and copper through the skin.
According to Janice Rosenthal, the founder of Garden Essences, seaweed is also highly beneficial when ingested, because it contains iodine. This helps to rid the body of a substance she says few people know is a heavy metal: fluoride.
Rosenthal says, “Loading the body with iodine displaces fluoride from cell receptors and flushes the fluoride out of the body in urine.”
For an even quicker seaweed fix, consider supplements.
Enjoy Advanced Detoxing With Upgraded Coconut Charcoal. Remove Toxins, Cure Hangovers, And Feel Less Bloated
8. Add More Chlorophyll To The Diet
Yes, you read that right. We mean the substance that gives leaves and vegetables their awesome green color. Of course, the easiest way to include more chlorophyll in your diet is to eat more leafy greens. However, some people may opt for supplements.
Whatever method you choose, chlorophyll works the same. According to the founder and CEO of Global Healing Center, Dr. Edward, it binds with toxins and makes it difficult for our bodies to absorb them. It doesn’t hurt that chlorophyll also helps us control cravings and fight cancer.
9. Eat More Cilantro
Dr. Edward also recommends eating more cilantro — a favorite in tacos, salads, pasta, and even pizza. Needless to say, this will probably be the easiest heavy metal detox for your daily life.
So how does it work? Same as most other great detox agents. It binds to the toxins and loosens them from the tissues in our bodies. The toxins are then emptied from the body through urine.
10. Replace Metal Fillings with Resin
Of all our recommendations, we saved the most unsavory for last. Isn’t it funny how many adults are still terrified of going to the dentist? But what we’re about to tell you will probably have you booking an appointment first thing tomorrow.
If you have the old school “silver filling” made from amalgam, then your fillings are 50 percent mercury. The dangers of amalgam fillings have led countries like Denmark, Norway, and Sweden to ban their use. Several states in America have also enacted laws to the same effect.
If you cannot replace your fillings, then the next time you need one, ask for a resin filling instead. It’s safer and looks a whole lot better.
Heavy metals can be stubborn pollutants to remove from our bodies. But with these ten easy tips, you’ll be well on your way to a happier and healthier you.
Alexis Chateau is founder of the independent PR firm, Alexis Chateau PR. Born in Jamaica, she spent her first 15 years battling 4 heart conditions. Through patience and perseverance, Chateau beat the odds. She now hikes, climbs, sucks at yoga, heads to the gym twice per week, and is looking for a running partner for Zombie Run 2017.
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