Introduction to heavy metals

The main heavy metals are mercury, cadmium, lead and arsenic. They are substances that are commonly used in industry and are currently polluting our soils and our water (fresh and salt water). In the following articles we will take a brief look at them one by one.

     A small note regarding exposure to metals, especially heavy metals. The link between the damage caused by electromagnetic waves (WI-FI, 4G and 5G antennas, microwaves, electrical wiring) and heavy metal overload is increasingly suspected. People with electromagnetic hypersensitivity often have some heavy metal poisoning. I am not going to go into this topic, but a small hint would be to be careful about exposure to these waves. Turning off the wifi or mobile phone at home at night, for example, is a simple gesture that our health will be grateful for.

     We need to be aware that all of us are exposed to toxic metals, which are found in our environment and are difficult to eliminate. Most of the time this exposure is not very harmful, but it can have effects on our bladder, either by a neurotoxic effect with alteration of the autonomic nervous system that controls this organ, or by alteration of the immune system that protects it from infections, or also by direct damage. Thus, we can do our bladder a lot of good by avoiding these metals.

Aluminium

     Although aluminium (Al) is not a heavy metal (it is just a metal), it is one of the metals that most frequently contaminates us. It is found in the air we breathe, in food, both through direct contamination (beware of soya, tea and thyme) and through contact with kitchen utensils that are often made of this material (frying pans, pots, etc.), aluminium foil, coffee capsules or tin cans, in many vaccines and other medicines such as some antacids. It is also found in many personal hygiene products, especially deodorants and toothpastes. 

     Although its intestinal absorption is low, being a very ubiquitous metal, its health risks are known. It is neurotoxic, and has been associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and neurodevelopmental disorders in children, such as autism. Hippocampal neurons, which are responsible for memory, are highly susceptible to this metal. In particular neurons that function with the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which in addition to existing in the hippocampus, happens to be the main neurotransmitter used by the parasympathetic nervous system (the vagus nerve, remember?). Therefore, we can hypothesise that it would probably alter bladder function, although there are no conclusive studies. Furthermore, we know that 95% of aluminium is eliminated in the urine, which means that our bladder is in permanent contact with this metal. It is also associated with cancer, especially breast cancer, although it is also suspected to cause bladder and lung cancer in highly exposed individuals. 

     Although in other articles I talk about general guidelines to reduce our exposure to toxins, I want to emphasise that the case of aluminium is an example where, from our homes, we can do a lot. We can try to avoid this material in the kitchen (cooking with stainless steel or cast iron utensils, avoiding cans and coffee capsules). Also in our food, by not eating too much soya products or by adding a few drops of sheep's or goat's milk to our teas and infusions, as milk reduces intestinal absorption. As for personal hygiene products, you can avoid using those that contain it or by making homemade cosmetics. In the section on homemade cosmetics you will find a few recipes to prepare cosmetics in a simple and non-toxic way. HOMEMADE COSMETICS

Arsenic

Arsenic (As). It can be found in many foods, often through contamination of agricultural water and soil, as well as drinking water in some non-European countries. It has been linked to the development of some cancers, including bladder cancer. It may also affect the heart, the central nervous system and glucose metabolism, promoting the development of diabetes. It is associated with psychomotor retardation and alterations in hypothalamic neuroplasticity (the region of the brain that regulates many of our hormones and other physiological processes). It is also associated with alterations in sperm production. 

     There is a lot of talk about arsenic in rice. It is true that it is a major source of exposure, but so are other cereals such as wheat. Cereals accumulate arsenic in their husk (called bran). Although it is always recommended to eat whole grains, as their fibre is largely found in the husk, for rice and wheat this recommendation would be controversial. Although in absolute terms wheat is less arsenic-rich than rice, it is still a significant source of exposure, as in Western countries we tend to consume considerably more wheat than rice. In fact, it is considered to be probably the main source of exposure in the West, along with dairy products (especially in children). All the more reason to avoid these two foods as much as possible. In the case of rice, it would be preferable to use semi-whole grain or white rice, and of European origin. Soils and water in Europe are much less contaminated than in Asia (India, China and Bangladesh have high levels of arsenic). Rice produced in the Iberian Peninsula contains lower amounts. One trick to remove some of its arsenic would be to wash it well before eating it. Or even leave it to soak for a few hours, like legumes. As for fish and other animals, although they do contain arsenic, it is in organic form, which is much less toxic than the inorganic form present in water and plants. Therefore, arsenic contamination is less of a concern.

Lead

Lead (Pb) is a very common environmental pollutant. Until a few years ago, it was found in fuels. Since the ban on the sale of unleaded petrol, its levels have decreased, but we are still highly exposed. It has been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in children. And what interests us most: it causes alterations in the autonomic nervous system and in the functioning of the immune system, both at the level of the humoral and cellular response, which we discussed in another article. Thus, frequent exposure to lead can threaten the health of our bladder. Although it is difficult to protect oneself from this metal, it is important to know that we can be exposed without being aware of it, if the pipes in our home or workplace are made of lead, or if the paints in our house or children's toys contain it. It is important to be informed about this in order to be able to remedy it. 

Cadmium

 Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that comes from industrial activity. It is found in food, but one of the main sources of exposure is tobacco smoke. It is particularly problematic because our body has no detoxification mechanisms to make it less toxic, so it takes a long time to be eliminated. It promotes oxidative stress and damage to DNA repair, as well as interfering with the action of important minerals such as zinc and magnesium. It is therefore considered a carcinogen. It has been associated with urogenital tumours (kidney, bladder, prostate). Although it is a very ubiquitous metal and it is difficult to avoid environmental exposure, there is one thing we can do to reduce our exposure, and that is to start thinking about giving up smoking...

Mercury

Mercury (Hg) is known to be present in marine waters. Many people avoid eating fish for fear of mercury contamination. This is true. Mercury accumulates in our fatty tissue, including the brain, and interferes with neurological function, and especially with the function of the autonomic nervous system we have already discussed, which is so important in regulating bladder function. However, we should be aware that the mercury content of marine animals varies according to their percentage of fat and their level in the food chain. Thus, white fish, which are less fatty, contain less mercury than blue fish. And smaller, herbivorous fish contain less than larger predatory fish. This is because larger fish accumulate their "own mercury" plus the mercury they get from eating fish that also carry mercury. In any case, we should not be alarmist as our body is capable of eliminating these substances if ingested in "safe" quantities. The interesting thing is to know that they exist, and above all to know some strategies to reduce our exposure. In the case of fish, I do not recommend that we stop eating oily fish and limit ourselves to white fish, as the content of omega-3 fatty acids, which are so beneficial to our health, is much higher in oily fish. In addition, fish contains a lot of selenium, which counteracts the toxic effect of mercury. What I do recommend is to avoid larger oily fish (tuna, especially bluefin tuna, swordfish, dogfish, monkfish). It is better to prioritise the intake of small fish such as sardines, herring, mackerel, anchovies, whose omega-3 content is very high but mercury content is low. Salmon is also low in mercury. An important note: when choosing the origin of the fish we buy, it is always preferable for it to carry the "MSC" seal, as, in addition to guaranteeing respectful fishing, it guarantees that the animals are wild and not farmed, that they have eaten naturally and have not been fed with soya or cereals. Another source of mercury is dental amalgams. They are no longer used today, but many people still wear them. They can be an often overlooked source of chronic mercury exposure. It is important to say that if you choose to have them removed, you should contact a dentist who has a protocol for the safe removal of these amalgams, such as the "SMART" protocol of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT). Mercury amalgam removed without a safe protocol can lead to mercury poisoning with serious health effects.

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