By Mark Pitstick, MA, DC
Toxic or heavy metals, for example, mercury, aluminum, plutonium and lead, have no known benefit for living organisms and can cause serious illnesses. Other heavy metals, such as iron, copper, manganese and zinc, are needed in small amounts but cause damage at excessive levels.
Pollution of air, food and water has increased the amount of certain metals that pose health risks for humans and animals. Other heavy metals are purposely added to products, for example, aluminum in antiperspirant deodorants or mercury in vaccinations, dental fillings, poor quality supplements, and processed foods. These are present in small amounts but, over time, can accumulate to excess amounts and contribute to physical and “mental” symptoms.
Certain individuals are more sensitive to these metals and are like a canary in a coalmine—a first line alert of coming danger to others.
Many doctors and health scientists point to the serious health problems these days and consider heavy metal toxicity to be a core cause. For example, consider the large Alzheimer’s treatment centers in existence these days. When I was young, I was around many older people in our neighborhood and church. None of them had dementia, senility, Alzheimer’s or whatever label is used to describe the alarming incidence of memory loss.
In my health care centers, we have treated a number of people in their thirties and forties who report significant problems with memory and concentration.
Why are so many children suffering with “mental” symptoms such as hyperactivity, depression, anxiety and behavior problems? Same question with adults who have facial and/or hand tremors before middle age. What is going on? Many experts are pointing to the increase in toxic metals and urging people to face this problem now.
Toxic or heavy metals and their common sources include:
Aluminum: cookware, packaged foods, antacids, antiperspirants, baking soda, aluminum cans, kitchen utensils, paints, dental composites, sand paper, toothpaste
Antimony: flame-retardant clothing and furniture, medicines and pigments
Arsenic: poisons, pigments, dyes, wood preservative, insecticide, wine, well water, coal burning, shellfish), treated lumber
Barium: diagnostic tests, drinking water, bleaches, dyes, fireworks, ceramics, glass
Beryllium: exposure at nuclear and aerospace industries, refining and melting of beryllium-containing alloys, manufacturing of electronic devices
Bromine: agriculture chemicals, flame-retardants, swimming pools, contaminated water and food sources
Cadmium: fertilizers, cigarettes, water from galvanized pipes, shellfish, industrial fumes, paint, air pollution, auto exhaust
Calcium: poor quality inorganic sources of calcium, excess intake of dairy products
Chromium: cheap chromium-coated stainless steel kitchen utensils corroded by acidic foods, dyes, pigments, air pollution, dental crowns
Copper: poor quality mineral supplements, copper plumbing and cookware, dental materials, pesticides, jewelry, IUDs, birth control pills
Fluorine: fluoride containing toothpaste and mouthwash, fluoridated water
Gold/Silver: cheap jewelry, dental fillings, injections for arthritis
Iodine: excess supplements and iodized salt, excess topical iodine solution
Iron: paints, dyes, poor quality mineral supplements, enriched wheat flour, pollution, occupational exposure, tobacco
Lead: paint, car exhaust, occupational exposure, plumbing, canned food, hair dye
Magnesium: poor quality mineral supplements, antacids, laxatives
Stay tuned for part 2 of this article shortly…..
– Mark Pitstick, B.S., M.A., D.C., has over forty years experience and training in hospitals, pastoral counseling settings, mental health centers, and holistic private practice. His training includes a premedical degree, graduate theology/pastoral counseling studies, masters in clinical psychology, and doctorate in chiropractic. His book Radiant Wellness: A Holistic Guide for Optimal Body, Mind and Spirit was endorsed by Drs. Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Bernie Siegel and others. Mark has been a frequent radio and TV guest and hosted a nationally syndicated radio show. He has presented many workshops on holistic health and spiritual awareness. He has been a review editor and regular contributor to many magazines and e-zines. Mark founded the Radiant Wellness Center and the Stressor-Nutrient Balancing healing method.
Disclaimer: Listing improvements of past patients’ problems does not imply a guarantee for those with similar conditions. I do not claim to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. I do teach people and health care professionals how to assist the body in healing itself of imbalances.