With the onset of the industrial revolution, processing has introduced toxic heavy metals into our environment at alarming rates. The major ones present are Mercury, Arsenic, Antimony, Aluminum, Lead and Cadmium. Heavy metals tend to accumulate in the body, specifically in the brain and other fatty tissues.
Here at Yaletown Naturopathic we have the ability to test for heavy metals using a variety of methods. While blood and stool testing for heavy metals only give us a snapshot of recent toxic exposure, it is not accurate in indicating what levels may have accumulated in the body. Hair analysis is a non-invasive way to get data on the bioaccumulation of toxic heavy metals.
Urine sample collection post provocation with chelating agents is the most accurate way to test for accumulated toxic heavy metals. Also pre and post provocation urine samples can be collected regularly with therapeutic chelation to monitor the change in levels with treatment.
Common Symptoms of Heavy Metal Accumulation include:
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain
- Chronic fatigue
- Brain fog
- Symptoms similar to OCD and anxiety
- Chronic infections such as candida
- Gastrointestinal complaints
- Food allergies (sudden onset), issues with digesting foods you had no issues previously digesting
- Burning in extremities, numbness, tingling, paralysis
Heavy metal testing and chelation may be indicated for many conditions such as chronic degenerative diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, autoimmune diseases including, SLE, MS, autoimmune encephalopathy, PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus), Alzheimer’s and epilepsy, and neurodevelopmental disorders like Autism.