While it’s a scary thought for every parent, our children are unfortunately exposed to heavy metals and environmental toxins everyday.
It’s probably harder for them to get away from them than it is for adults and in fact, the implications of heavy metals with regards to children’s health have been noted to be more severe compared to adults.
From the foods they’re eating, to the soap they’re putting on their bodies, to the air they’re breathing.
Heavy metal toxicity is almost inevitable in today’s toxic world.
If you suspect your child may have heavy metal poisoning, look for these symptoms first to know for sure:
Anxiety
Asthma/allergies
Autoimmune disease
Behavior issues
Chronic bed wetting
Compromised immune system
Crooked smile
Disturbed sleep
Eczema/psoriasis/skin rashes
Facial asymmetry
Gut issues
Mood swings
Muscle twitching
Seizures
Problems thinking
Sensory issues
Speech delay
Slow reflexes
Yeast/Candida/parasites
Teeth grinding
Thrush
Nervous tics/Tourette’s
Symptoms of ADHD/ADD
How to Avoid Heavy Metals
Reducing exposure to heavy metals may lower the risk of childhood developmental disorders.
Pregnant women should be conscientious about heavy metal exposure because heavy metals cross the placenta and can affect the brain of the developing fetus.
Parents with young children also need to be careful since the brain is especially sensitive to toxic insults during childhood.
There are a handful of steps you can take to reduce exposure to heavy metals:
- Don’t use aluminum pans for cooking. Choose stainless steel or enameled cast iron instead.
- Choose seafood low in mercury. The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program is a helpful tool for learning which types of seafood are highest and lowest in mercury. Wild-caught Alaskan salmon, wild-caught Pacific sardines, and pole-caught albacore tuna are among the lower-mercury choices; Atlantic cod, halibut, shark, and swordfish tend to be much higher in mercury.
- Filter your drinking and bathing water. Invest in a high-quality drinking water filtration system that removes heavy metals, such as a reverse osmosis system.
- Choose organic chicken. Conventionally raised chicken is high in arsenic.
- Limit intake of brown rice and white rice from India and areas outside of California. Rice from these regions tends to be high in arsenic. White rice from California is lower in arsenic and thus a safer option.
- Prevent heavy metal pollution from entering your home. If you have children and work in manufacturing, construction, or another profession that involves heavy metal exposure, bathe and change clothes immediately after work to avoid contaminating your home with heavy metals in dust, dirt, etc.
Additional ways to support heavy metal detox in children:
Research indicates that detoxification and excretory pathways responsible for detoxifying heavy metals may be impaired in children with behavioral disorders. However, by enhancing detoxification pathways, replenishing essential minerals and vitamins, and supplementing with probiotics, it may be possible to alleviate heavy metal toxicity and reduce symptoms in children with behavioral disorders.
Support the glutathione pathway
The glutathione pathway is a crucial system in the body for detoxifying mercury and other heavy metals. Glutathione, often referred to as the “master antioxidant,” binds to heavy metals and facilitates their removal from the body. Research has found that ASD patients have lower glutathione levels than controls, a problem that may promote the retention of heavy metals in the body. Oral and transdermal glutathione supplementation raises plasma glutathione levels in the blood of autistic children, an effect that may facilitate heavy metal detoxification.
Replenish essential minerals and vitamins
When the body is deficient in essential minerals, heavy metals preferentially bind to sites normally occupied by those minerals. Replenishing the body with essential minerals can, therefore, help prevent heavy metal accumulation and increase metal excretion.
- Selenium. Selenium, an essential mineral that serves as a cofactor for the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, may benefit children with autism.
- Zinc. Another essential mineral, zinc, alleviates heavy metal toxicity by competing with heavy metals for binding sites on cells and enzymes. Research indicates that zinc replenishment is beneficial for kids with autism and ADHD. To replenish zinc levels, it’s suggested to feed your children zinc-rich foods, such as oysters, rather than zinc supplements, which may not be safe for children over the long term.
- Iron. Iron competes with heavy metals for intestinal absorption, and iron sufficiency downregulates transporters that bring heavy metals into intestinal cells and the systemic circulation. Restoration of iron levels has been found to relieve ADHD symptoms in children. It’s recommended to feed your kids organ meats and shellfish to ensure optimal iron levels.
- Vitamin B. Replenishment of vitamin B6 may also alleviate heavy metal toxicity. B6 supplementation reduces the accumulation of lead in body tissues. When combined with magnesium, it has been found to improve symptoms of ADHD. The top dietary sources of vitamin B6 are liver and other organ meats, egg yolks, nuts, bananas, and avocados.
The power of probiotics
Several studies indicate that probiotics alleviate heavy metal toxicity. Research indicates that Lactobacillus rhamnosus and L. plantarum, commonly found in probiotic supplements and fermented foods, protect against heavy metal toxicity. These findings also suggest that a healthy gut microbiome may protect against heavy metal toxicity.
Additional resources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30941546/
https://chriskresser.com/heavy-metals-and-behavioral-disorders-in-children/
https://cnjg.org/sites/default/files/files/events/Developmental%20Disorders%20-%20Heavy%20Metals.pdf
