Juice Recipes and Oral Chelation Therapy for a Toxic Heavy Metal Detox

Detoxification is becoming an ever-popular practice for those of us who are interested in becoming healthier and happier. So what exactly is detoxification and how does it work? To answer that question we first need to really understand what being toxic is.

For a substance to be classified as toxic it must be deemed as harmful to the cells of our body. When we refer to detoxifying the body we are talking specifically about toxic chemicals that have been stored within the cells of the body. These chemicals are classified into two groups - organic compounds and inorganic substances. Toxic organic compounds include alcohol, medications and illegal drugs. The fundamental method for detoxifying toxic organic compounds like alcohol and drugs is first and foremost abstinence. A period of time without these substances will, in most cases, clear the majority of these toxins from the system. In the case of prescribed medications you should never stop taking them without prior permission from your doctor.

Inorganic toxic substances include toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium and aluminum. Arsenic, lead and mercury are actually classified as the top 3 hazardous substances respectively by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR). You can view their official list by clicking here. Heavy metal toxicity is considered (to not sound too dramatic) an epidemic by some health professionals.

Toxic Heavy Metals

The clearing out of toxic heavy metals is a fundamental aspect of many detox programs. In some detox programs it is the sole purpose! This is not surprising because most of us are contaminated to some degree or another with toxic heavy metals.

Arsenic
Arsenic is the #1 toxic substance that is found in water supplies across the planet. When we shower, bathe or wash our dishes, the water will contain arsenic to greater or lesser degrees. This contamination of water also exposes fish and other sea life. So where does arsenic come from? Arsenic is present in our water and environment as a result of some industrial processes. The smelting of other metals such as zinc and iron produces arsenic. There are pesticides that are made with arsenic. Some paints, rat poisons, wood preservatives and the manufacturing of glass are also sources of arsenic pollution. Arsenic in our system can adversely affect our blood, kidneys, central nervous system and skin.

Lead
Lead is the second most toxic substance according to the ATSDR. Lead was a key ingredient of pipes used in plumbing for houses built up until the 1940’s. Lead was an ingredient used in some paints up until the 40s as well. Today lead is still used in some plumbing and paints. Lead is also used in batteries, ammunition, cable coverings, PVC plastics and pesticides.

Mercury
Mercury is the infamous toxic heavy metal that is part of dental amalgams. Now banned in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, there is still controversy over the safety of dental amalgams. However, research has shown over and over again that there is a correlation between mercury based amalgams and health problems such as cancer, mental conditions and nervous system disorders among other problems.

Cadmium
Cadmium is at #7 on the ATSDR list of toxic substances. Cadmium is a common toxic heavy metal because it is used in many of the fertilizers used in commercial agriculture. Cadmium is also used in paints, PVC productions and is emitted in vehicle gas emissions. It is estimated that up to 50% of the cadmium found in our cells is the result of inhaling gas emissions. Our kidneys, lungs, liver, brains and bones can all be adversely affected by cadmium.

Aluminum
Technically aluminum is not a heavy metal, but is nonetheless a toxic metal. Aluminum can be ingested in so many different ways that it is a problem for just about everyone. Drinking water, astringents, food additives, antiperspirants, aluminum kitchen utensils, aluminum foil and aluminum cookware are common ways that aluminum is ingested. A high level of aluminum stored in brain tissue is strongly correlated with Alzheimer’s disease. More research is going on at present into this correlation. Aluminum in the system can also harm the central nervous system, digestive system and the kidneys.

There are a number of ways that toxic heavy metals can cause us harm.

1. ‘Mineral displacement’ is one such method. When toxic heavy metals make their way into a cell they can ‘claim the throne’ so to speak by ejecting a healthy mineral that is supposed to be there. One such example involves red blood cells. Mercury can displace the iron that should be inside red blood cells and consequently disable the ability of that cell to deliver oxygen around the body. Clearly not a good thing! The immune system may also recognize a cell that has suffered mineral displacement as a foreign body and actually attack it!
2. Free radical inflicted damage is a very potent and damaging effect of toxic heavy metals in the body. Free radicals are molecules that contain unpaired electrons and are therefore very unstable. In their pursuit to ‘pair up’ and become stabilized they will take an electron from another cell and in the process damage it. This damage is also known as oxidation. If there are too many free radicals in the body than the immune system can handle then we are in a state of oxidative stress. The most visual way to see and understand the damage caused by oxidation is to see its effect upon metal. Metal that becomes oxidized will start to rust and breakdown - and yes that is what happens to our cells too! The aging process of the body is essentially the ‘rusting’ of our cells. Another example would be the brown/black color that fruits turn when they are cut open and exposed to air for a period of time. Toxic heavy metals frequently act as free radicals because of their tendency to develop unpaired electrons as part of their molecular nature.
   
   Free radical damage is not just limited to premature aging but is one of the fundamental causes of many other degenerative diseases. Oxidation of our arteries causes inflammatory damage that leads to calcification and plaque build up. If continued over a period of time this inflammation can lead to hardening and narrowing of the arteries and develop into arteriosclerosis - a condition that is the number one risk factor for heart disease. Free radical damage to cells can also cause DNA damage and result in a mutation of the genetic code. This can lead to tumor growth and the development of cancer. Other degenerative disease such as arthritis and diabetes are also linked in some way to the oxidation caused by free radicals.
3. Two different metals combined in water can generate an electric current. We are around 70% water and you can bet your bottom dollar that there are two different toxic heavy metals close enough together in our bodies that electric currents are going on somewhere. Electrical currents can damage arteries by causing plaque build up, create irregular heartbeats and suppress the immune system.
4. Generating acidity in the body. Toxic heavy metals are acidic in nature and influence the PH of our bodily fluids. A more acidic bodily environment is associated with more incidences of disease and illness because most viruses and bacteria need acidic environments to thrive. An acidic body also leaches minerals out of cells in an effort to neutralize the acids. This can result in mineral deficiencies and even osteoporosis because calcium can be taken from the bones.


If you have gotten this far I assume you may be in a state of shock and are asking the question “how do I clear these toxic heavy metals out of my cells!?” There are ways and there are antioxidants and specific foods that act as chelators. Chelators are substances that bond with toxic heavy metals and eliminate them from the body.

1. Cilantro has been discovered to be very effective at removing mercury from the body. You can read the abstract of the study about this here. Cilantro is a great choice for those who have just had amalgam fillings removed. The process of removing them releases a considerable amount of mercury into the system. If you have amalgam fillings then a regular intake of cilantro may help with the slow leaching of mercury from the fillings into the body. This study also found cilantro to be effective at removing lead and aluminum from the body too.
2. Glutathione is known as the ‘master antioxidant’ and is responsible for providing cell homeostasis. It ‘evicts’ toxic substances such as toxic heavy metals out of cells in an effort to provide a healthy habit. Raising glutathione levels in the body is an important process in the fight against heavy metal toxicity. Research has found glutathione to be effective at removing arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury from the cells. The problem for most of us is that our glutathione levels are too low for it to carry out its detoxification process. The presence of toxic heavy metals and other pollutants can drain our glutathione levels in its effort to ‘keep up’ with the job. However, there are supplements you can by such as Immunotec and NAC that have been proven to boost the amount of glutathione within our cells. Foods such as asparagus, broccoli and spinach have also been shown to increase the amount of glutathione in the body. Regular intake of vitamin C is also associated with an increase in glutathione. It is also an interesting fact to know that the amount of glutathione in your body is one of the most accurate biomarkers of how long you will live! It is not called the ‘master antioxidant’ for nothing!
3. Selenium and zinc are two minerals that are important co-factors in the creation of antioxidant enzymes that battle free radicals. Low levels of these two minerals are associated with an overall low level of immunity.
4. Garlic has antibacterial and antiviral properties. It is also a powerful food for protecting us against free radicals and heavy metals. You can buy high quality mega dose odor free garlic supplements that are great for aiding in chelation.
5. Adequate amounts of antioxidants A, C and E are important during chelation. Toxic heavy metals can actually become more dangerous and set off free radical chain reactions when they are being ushered out of the body. Vitamin A, E and especially C are 3 of the most important and effective antioxidants at disarming free radicals and keeping the immune system in great shape. 5 – 9 servings of fruits and vegetables (including green leafy greens) each day will provide a good foundation for these vitamins. Increasing doses with supplementation is also a good idea during chelation.
6. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins in the body. Glutathione is a protein that relies upon an adequate amount of amino acids in the diet for its synthesis. A high quality non-denatured whey protein powder is an excellent source of amino acids and has been proven to help raise glutathione levels in the body.
7. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, collard greens, cauliflower, brussel sprouts and cabbages are a great aid in detoxification. They contain antioxidants called indoles and sulforaphane that induce the liver to greatly increase the production of natural detoxification enzymes in the body. These enzymes are especially effective at removing carcinogens. Large prospective studies show that people who consume the most cruciferous vegetables are at less risk of developing cancer than people who consume other kinds of vegetables regularly.

In addition to the above list of vegetables and other foods sources that are helpful for heavy metal detoxification, there are also supplements that are excellent for this purpose.

EDTA
EDTA is the most popular supplement for removing heavy metals from the body and specifically from the blood. In fact EDTA is so good at this that it has been the approved and standard treatment endorsed by the FDA for lead, mercury, aluminum and cadmium poisoning for the past 50 years! Although the originally approved treatment is administered intravenously by a physician, oral EDTA supplements are now available.

Chlorella
Chlorella is a green algae that is indispensable for a heavy metal detox program. Chlorella is one of the most concentrated forms of chlorophyll that we know of. Its beneficial effects are most notably in the colon and also the liver and the blood. A variety of studies show that the deep fibrous qualities of chlorella binds with toxic metals in the colon so that they can actually be eliminated safely from the body. This is a very important point because toxic heavy metals that hang around in the colon get absorbed back into the blood stream - clearly not a good thing! This is how chlorella as a secondary effect helps keep the blood clean and takes the extra burden off the liver having to process the same toxic heavy metals over and over again!

Immunocal
Immunocal is a supplement that raises the levels of glutathione, the master antioxidant, in our bodies. Watch the video above to learn about how important glutathione is for detoxification and overall health and well being.


Homemade juicing recipes are a great way to aid in overall detoxification and the removal of toxic heavy metals. Juicing has some distinct advantages, but I must be clear that juicing should never replace eating whole fruits and vegetables. Juicing removes important fiber from fruits and vegetables. Fiber is very important for keeping us regular and removing toxic heavy metals and other harmful chemicals that have been sent to the colon for elimination. If we don’t have enough fiber in our diets then the colon can become sluggish and these toxins can be reabsorbed into the blood stream before they have a chance to be removed in the feces. Not a good thing!

With the exception of fiber content, juicing excels in the amount of bio-available antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and enzymes that it can deliver in just one juice. A carrot juice for example would require about 8-10 large carrots to produce one glass of juice. That is considerably more than you could eat in one sitting. Juicing also ‘breaks open’ the fibers in fruits and vegetables more effectively. This is advantageous because inside the fibers are many antioxidants that need to be mechanically released to be made available for digestion. The result is a drink brimming with nutrition that needs next to zero digesting. The nutrition is practically delivered directly to the blood stream with no stress on the body and the digestive organs. This is one of the reasons that people often drink homemade juicing recipes on an empty stomach in the morning or as a snack between meals. This way there is no interference with a solid meal. Research finds that juices taken without meals are more effective at aiding the liver in the detoxification process. This way the liver does not have the split focus of detoxification and aiding in digesting a meal.

When making your own juicing recipes at home there are a few important factors to consider. Aim for organic food as much as possible. As stated above, pesticides used in non-organic farming methods contain toxic heavy metals like lead and arsenic and a whole other array of harmful chemicals. If it isn’t always possible to buy organic foods then be sure to peel them. The skins of fruits and vegetables are where most of the pesticides reside. Another important factor is to drink the juice right away. The longer the juice sits around the more of its nutrition dies off as it becomes oxidized due to exposure to air.

Here is a list of some juicing recipes you can make at home that include the foods that are a great aid for detoxification and chelation.

Vegetable Detox Juice

6 carrots
3 cups of cilantro
2 cloves of garlic

2 cups of broccoli heads

¼ an apple (to sweeten)


Fruit Detox Juice

¼ of an average sized watermelon

1 clove of garlic

1” slice of ginger


Detox Smoothie

1 cup of blueberries

1 cup of blackberries

1 oz of water

a few ice cubes
1 scoop of vanilla or plain whey protein powder

This recipe is for a blender and not a juicing machine. This allows us to add amino acids to the mixture by using whey protein powder. Berries are a great source of vitamin A and C. Blackberries have the added advantage of being a great source of vitamin E too. Enjoy!