Natural Chelation With Vitamins, Minerals and Phytonutrients
It is reassuring to know that there are many plant-derived
compounds, vitamins and minerals that can protect us
against heavy metals and other environmental toxins.
Our bodies are continuously exposed to poisonous substances
- both natural and man made. Although we have biochemical
mechanisms to cope with most them, when our bodies are
subject to overwhelming quantities of toxins, severe health
problems occur.
The human body deals with poisonous substances in various
ways. Enzymes and components of the immune system in the
intestines are the first line of defense in this regard.
They either convert the toxins into harmless substances or
prevent their absorption into the blood stream by binding
to them. In addition food-derived compounds help to
neutralize harmful agents before they are absorbed through
the bowel wall. Interestingly, and somewhat paradoxically,
metals like iron, zinc and copper (that are potential
toxins themselves) can also help prevent the absorption of
poisonous heavy metals like lead.
If a toxin manages to evade the defense systems in the
intestines and gains access to the blood stream it may then
be rendered safe by enzymatic action or other processes in
the liver – the most important detoxifying organ. If the
liver fails to deal with a toxin it may then be excreted by
the kidneys. However, some the most problematic toxins are
those that the body cannot neutralize or get rid of.
The most important examples of these are the metals –
especially arsenic, copper, iron, zinc and the heavy metals
like lead and mercury. As the body has difficulty excreting
these poisons it tries to sequestrate them in tissues like
fat and bone where they will not cause as much harm as they
would in other organs or tissues. Unfortunately when the
stores of these toxic substances reach a certain threshold
they inevitably begin to cause damage. Lead and mercury are
particularly damaging to the brain and other nervous tissue
and this is especially so in children.
The treatment of choice for metal poisoning is chelation
therapy; a therapy whereby a chelating agent is used to
'grab' or bind to the toxin; either rendering it harmless
or allowing the body to excrete it more easily. Examples of
chelating agents that are used to treat metal poisoning
are: DMSA, DMPS, ALA, EDTA.
There are also many naturally occurring compounds that have
chelating properties. The spice, coriander (cilantro) has
been shown to chelate lead while turmeric binds to both
copper and iron. Other studies have shown how vitamins B1,
E, C and zinc can help prevent the absorption of lead and
enhance the capacity of chelating drugs.
As well as acting as chelating agents plant derived
compounds play a vital role in countering the damaging
effects of heavy metals and other toxic substances. Many
toxins are free radicals and as such cause oxidative damage
to cells and tissues. Spices, fruits, nuts and vegetables
all provide large numbers of important antioxidant and
other compounds that play a vital role in helping to
contain free radical damage.
If we want to minimize the effect of heavy metals and other
environmental pollutants on our bodies we need to ensure
that we have an adequate daily intake of spices, fruit and
vegetables. It is these foods that provide us with the best
means to deal with this inexorable threat to our health.
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Dr Keith Scott is a medical doctor with a special interest
in nutrition. He has written several books including the
ground breaking, "Medicinal Seasonings, The Healing Power
of Spices" and "Natural Home Pharmacy".
Download a free pdf copy of "Medicinal Seasonings" and find
out more about the health value of compounds in spices and
other foods at:
http://www.medspice.com
