You tested positive for heavy metals and have gone through a doctor-led detoxification process called chelation. The chelation process can take 6 months to 2 years, depending on exposure, and will generally remove at least 90% of heavy metals from your body.
However, because we are constantly exposed to heavy metals, even if you were to remove all of them from your body, you would still be exposed to them again through the air, water, soil, and products that you use in your home and on your body.
That said, it’s a good idea to remain aware of your heavy metal levels, even after chelation.
Personally, I do this every two months by way of a spot urine test, or “pre-challenge test.” This helps me to keep track of the heavy metals in my body, so they don’t accumulate and cause harm to my health.
So how do you continue the detoxification process beyond chelation and ensure that you remain healthy and well?
Increase Fiber Intake
Fiber is a natural binder. It has the ability to bind to metals like cadmium, mercury, arsenic, lead, and copper, making it easier for your body to release them.
For optimal detoxification, consume 30-50g of fiber per day from plant-based sources — avocados, berries, black beans, artichokes, lentils, quinoa, nuts, and seeds.
You can also get fiber from grains and cruciferous vegetables, like cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy, broccoli, and brussel sprouts. It’s best, however, to avoid brown rice as it contains high levels of arsenic and avoid cruciferous vegetables that are grown in fracking areas as they contain high levels of thallium and cesium.
Incorporate Herbs into your Diet
Herbs, like parsley, cilantro, basil, and mint, are some of the best detoxifying agents and can help reduce the accumulation of heavy metals in the body, especially mercury and lead.
The easiest way to incorporate herbs into your diet is by juicing. It’s something that I do on a daily basis since I had to go through the chelation process myself for high levels of thallium. My favorite recipes to use are here and here.
You can boost the detoxifying benefits of your juice by adding spirulina and chlorella. Both of these algae have been scientifically proven to support the detoxification of heavy metals from the body.
Be sure you source these products from reputable and toxin-free sources.
Eat Liver Supporting Foods
Your liver is one of the largest organs in your body. It is responsible for removing waste and processing nutrients. With the help of your liver, your body detoxes on a daily basis, so it’s important to support this organ, especially when heavy metals are present in the body.
You can do this by regularly consuming:
- Dandelion tea
- Milk thistle tea
- Ginger and Lemon, in tea or as a seasoning on food
- Turmeric in the form of a high potency supplement, like DeFlam Support
Hydrate Well and Support Mineral Repletion
Hydration is essential for overall health and well-being. It’s even more important when you are detoxing as it helps to flush toxins out of the body.
Additionally, when you go through the process of chelation, your body loses some of its stores of essential minerals, so restoring these minerals is essential.
I recommend getting your mineral levels tested regularly during chelation and after, as my patients tend to be low in essential minerals like molybdenum. Once I know what minerals my patients are deficient in, I can treat each one uniquely or suggest a complete mineral support supplement.
Remove Inflammatory Foods From Your Diet
I say this all the time, but it bears repeating here — your body will heal more quickly if inflammation is low. So it’s best to significantly limit or avoid inflammatory foods like:
- Gluten
- Dairy
- Soy
- Refined Sugar
- Alcohol
When possible, it’s also best to consume fruits and vegetables that are organic, and locally sourced from clean soil.
I could go on and on about the topic. It is so near and dear to my heart since I’ve had my own struggles with heavy metal toxicity after consuming vegetables from a location that allowed fracking, but I don’t want to overwhelm you with information.
Instead, remember to consult your doctor to get tested and treated for heavy metals.
Also, think of the chelation process as a deep cleaning and the dietary and lifestyle recommendations mentioned here as tools you can use when you need a tune-up or a little extra support.
I hope you’re finding this series to be helpful!
I’ll be back next week to talk about how hormones are affected by heavy metals. Be sure to come back and give it a read.
xo,