There are so many elements of our modern lifestyle which can negatively impact our health and wellbeing. Poor diet, stress, and lack of physical activity, all increase our risk of developing chronic conditions.
While most of us realise that a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet packed with vitamins and minerals are important, what is not as commonly acknowledged is the side-effects of ongoing exposure to toxins such as heavy metals.
What is the Difference between Minerals and Metals?
A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic substance, with specific chemical composition and a crystal structure. Your body uses minerals for many functions including bone health, boosting your immune system, enzymes and hormones, plus ensuring your muscles, nerves, heart and brain are operating optimally. Without sufficient minerals we could become sick and develop diseases.
A metal is an element that is typically hard, opaque and shiny, with good electrical and thermal conductivity. Heavy metals have no health function in the body, and in fact disrupt or disregulate your body’s natural processes. There is no ideal level for heavy metals and it is better for our bodies to be free of them completely.
Minerals and their Benefits
Our bodies need adequate intake of minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, sodium, potassium, copper, iodine, selenium and magnesium, to support proper growth, healing and general wellbeing. Consuming the following foods can help replenish the minerals in your body:
- Sesame seeds, almonds and spinach (calcium)
- Oysters, pine nuts and black beans (zinc)
- Beef, soy and lentils (iron)
- Avocado, chicken and potato (magnesium and potassium)
- Eggs, edible seaweed, shrimp, fish, oysters (iodine)
- Eggs, chicken, tuna, turkey, brown rice, salmon, nuts and seeds (selenium)
Symptoms of Mineral Deficiency
Mineral deficiencies often occur gradually, and over time could lead to a range of problems – from weak bones to chronic fatigue, thyroid issues, or a compromised immune system. The symptoms that appear will depend on which mineral the body is missing, but may include:
- Constipation, bloating or abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Restless legs
- Sugar cravings
- Weakness or tiredness
- Weight gain
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Depression
Heavy Metals and their effects on the Body
Our bodies absorb these toxic heavy metals, and are ill-equipped to remove them. Over time, heavy metals tend to accumulate in our systems, eventually causing adverse health effects.
Some of the most common heavy metals that we come into contact with include copper, cadmium, arsenic, lead, aluminium, fluoride and mercury. Our exposure to these metals comes from various sources, such as:
- Cigarette smoke (cadmium)
- Deodorants, soil, fruit juices (aluminium)
- Pollution (cadmium, lead)
- Paints (lead)
- Fish (mercury)
- Dust (cadmium)
- Cosmetics (lead, arsenic and mercury)
- Drinking water (arsenic, copper)
- Pesticides (copper)
- Amalgam fillings (mercury)
One reason that these heavy metals are so toxic to our body, is that they interrupt the absorption and metabolism of essential minerals. Heavy metals also disrupt the functionality of your brain, nervous, and hormonal systems, which is one of the reasons they can affect so many different parts of the body and can present with such varied symptoms.
Symptoms of Excess Heavy Metals
These symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia and unrefreshing sleep
- Tics and restless legs
- Brain fog
- Memory issues
- Autoimmune conditions
- IBS
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Thyroid issues
- Excessive PMS and Hormonal Symptoms
- Chronic fatigue
- Ongoing flu-like symptoms
- ADHD, OCD and Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Hyperactivity in children
- Unexplained irritability and aggression
- Fibromyalgia
Transform Your Health
At Capalaba Natural Health, we can check your body’s positive minerals to see which deficiencies may be contributing to your symptoms; as well as check to see if you have excessive heavy metals and whether they are disrupting your health.
Improving and balancing the positive minerals in your body, while using natural substances to help expel toxic heavy metals, is a great way to support your physical and mental wellbeing. Our award-winning naturopath, Tony Daniel, has a special interest in this area – so if you are ready to transform your health, book an appointment today on (07) 3823 3103!
