Chemtrail Poisoning: 3 Natural Herbs That Protect Against and Detox Your Body From Heavy Metals

By Jeremiah Johnson, Ready Nutrition | 

ReadyNutrition Guys and Gals, undoubtedly you have all read articles that I wrote on several herbs that I recommended as a mainstay to help you fight disease and maintain good healthy systems.  How many times have I figuratively jumped up and down to expound on the benefits of garlic?  Well, garlic is back in the picture again, along with two other herbs.  This time to help you to protect yourself against the chemtrails, and against the heavy metals you find in food, water, air, and virtually omnipresent throughout the home.  In truth, we face a toxic array of chemicals: a labyrinth that is difficult to find an exit from.  These herbs are the “clew” to give you a good start.

Chelation Therapy Could Be the Key

First, what is chelation therapy?  It is a little-known and often misunderstood arena of holistic health care.  It is a simple concept.  Chelants are organic substances that (through the activity of ions) manage to bind themselves to metal ions, termed chelation; in so binding, chelation makes it possible for the metal to be excreted from the body.

Studies too numerous to count have found that chemtrails (those lovely, wispy, cloudlike-trails in the sky) produced by jet contrails) contain numerous chemicals and metals, especially Aluminum and Magnesium among others.  These metals (when inhaled or ingested, such as when they settle on crops and fresh produce or penetrate the water supply) cause many different ailments in the body, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, and other associated degenerative disorders of the brain and its neuron complex.

We’re going to cover three herbs you can use to start out your medicinal arsenal to battle the intake of these metals, from whatever source they originate.  Let’s do it!

3 Herbs That Protect Against Chemtrail Poisoning

1. Garlic (Allium sativa): Aww, you knew it was coming! Yes, JJ’s favorite…the greatest of all the herbal “broad spectrum” healers!  Metals are no different: garlic does a number on them.  Garlic chelates lead, mercury, and cadmium…major “pests” of metals found in water and food.  It binds to them and effectively pulls them out of the body.  Safe, not invasive, and inexpensive…be advised: the stuff you buy fresh in your grocery store is indeed excellent…soft-neck garlic possesses the greatest and strongest herbal medical potential.


2. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum): Oh, yeah, baby! Cilantro is another “big gun” for your arsenal.  The herb neutralizes intercellular deposits of metals…those are metals that go into the cells.  Cilantro changes the ionic charges of the metals, and this enables their grasp on the cells to be broken…where they pass into the urine.  Mercury, lead, and aluminum are the ones that it acts upon the most.


3. Chlorella (Chlorella regularis): The last batter up, for the winning home run! Yes, indeed, chlorella binds to the metals and takes them out of bone, brain, vital organs, and muscle to pass through and away from you.  Chlorella is green algae that is unicellular that contains several types of chlorophyll.  It is also high in protein (45% after it’s dehydrated), along with other nutrients.  It is inexpensive and available in Wal-Mart as well as health food concerns.

So, what we have outlined are three that you can use immediately in the battle to detoxify yourself and reduce the amount of heavy metals in your system.  I have recommended these because they are safe, effective, readily available, and not at all expensive.  You can blend them into your diet effortlessly and get off to a flying start.  If you research each one, you’ll find they have numerous other uses.  They can be cultivated with ease (yes, even chlorella), and stocked up for your supplies.  JJ out!

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Jeremiah Johnson is the Nom de plume of a retired Green Beret of the United States Army Special Forces (Airborne). Mr. Johnson was a Special Forces Medic, EMT and ACLS-certified, with comprehensive training in wilderness survival, rescue, and patient-extraction. He is a Certified Master Herbalist and a graduate of the Global College of Natural Medicine of Santa Ana, CA. A graduate of the U.S. Army’s survival course of SERE school (Survival Evasion Resistance Escape), Mr. Johnson also successfully completed the Montana Master Food Preserver Course for home-canning, smoking, and dehydrating foods.

Mr. Johnson dries and tinctures a wide variety of medicinal herbs taken by wild crafting and cultivation, in addition to preserving and canning his own food. An expert in land navigation, survival, mountaineering, and parachuting as trained by the United States Army, Mr. Johnson is an ardent advocate for preparedness, self-sufficiency, and long-term disaster sustainability for families. He and his wife survived Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. Cross-trained as a Special Forces Engineer, he is an expert in supply, logistics, transport, and long-term storage of perishable materials, having incorporated many of these techniques plus some unique innovations in his own homestead.

Mr. Johnson brings practical, tested experience firmly rooted in formal education to his writings and to our team. He and his wife live in a cabin in the mountains of Western Montana with their three cats.

The post Chemtrail Poisoning: 3 Natural Herbs That Protect Against and Detox Your Body From Heavy Metals appeared first on The Sleuth Journal.

The Health Dangers of Antimony

Antimony is a naturally occurring metal typically found in ore deposits. ^[1] Antimony is widely used in industry and present in all kinds of everyday items. Most commonly, the metal has been used as a flame retardant in products as diverse as toys, car seat covers, engine covers for light aircraft, clothing for kids, and uniforms for fire fighters. Beyond this, antimony is used to produce glass and ceramics, to make pigments, and in batteries. ^[2]

In comparison to other toxic chemicals and metals like lead, arsenic, barium, and aluminum, antimony doesn’t get as many mentions. However, it should. Because antimony is widely used and present in so many everyday items, the health problems caused by exposure to toxic antimony compounds are a real threat.

How Are We Exposed to Antimony?

Exposure to antimony compounds generally happens one of two ways: occupational and therapeutic. Exposure symptoms and the problems that people may experience can differ greatly between the two. Additionally, although it’s not often cited as a prime source, it is worth mentioning that the EPA has warned that drinking water with high antimony levels, over a period of years, could cause health problems. ^[1]

Occupational Exposure to Antimony

Some people work in industries or locations where toxic antimony compounds are more prevalent and this puts them in greater danger of suffering from related health problems. By far, those who have the greatest chance of coming into contact with toxic levels of antimony are port workers.

Why? Because antimony is used in brake pad systems for heavy weight vehicles, and port workers are exposed to that kind of traffic on a daily basis. The toxic compound is emitted from port vehicles and the workers breathe it in through their lungs. In one particular study researching antimony in the blood, a group of dockworkers had the highest levels of antimony ever reported. ^[3]

Perhaps the most frightening aspect to occupational exposure is the prevalence of additional toxins that co-exist. If an industrial plant has antimony present, isn’t it reasonable to assume other toxic compounds may be around too?

Surprisingly, one occupation that doesn’t show toxic levels of antimony is firefighting. Despite the fact that firefighters have been wearing flame-retardant uniforms that contain antimony since the 1960s and several people have raised concerns about this over the years, several studies have shown that fire retardant clothing doesn’t raise antimony toxicity levels. ^[4] [5]

Therapeutic Exposure to Antimony

A second group of people at risk for antimony exposure is patients suffering from schistosomiasis and leishmaniasis. Antimony is used as a part of the therapy for these conditions and can sometimes have toxic side effects that lead to pancreatitis and cardio toxicity. ^[6]

Health Dangers of Antimony

In general, how your body reacts to a toxic level of antimony will depend on how you were exposed. Those who breathed in the compound, like the port workers mentioned above, may suffer from symptoms like pneumoconiosis, gastrointestinal problems, antimony spots appearing on their skin, and respiratory irritation. However, if you come into contact with actual antimony dust, you can experience symptoms like depression, dizziness, headaches, vomiting, kidney damage, or liver damage. One compound—antimony trioxide—is even believed to be carcinogenic, and antimony poisoning has also been known to lead to Adams-Stokes syndrome. ^[6]

Efforts to Reduce Exposure to Antimony

Over the last few decades, workplaces have instituted guidelines that have reduced the incidence of antimony poisoning, and therapeutic drugs with antimony undergo strict quality control measures. In addition, patients are continually monitored to ensure that their antimony readings stay within acceptable levels. ^[6]

And while the EPA and EU both have water standards for antimony they claim are well below toxic levels, those in the UK may want to be careful drinking juice concentrates. There are no set standards and, just a few years ago, researchers discovered antimony levels that far exceed tap water requirements. ^{[1] [7] [8]}

Governments now monitor bottled water since toxic antimony can leak from the plastic bottles into the water. California even passed a law in 2009 requiring testing, despite the fact that the levels in bottled water are actually below those of tap water. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

Mitigating Your Own Risks

Reducing your exposure to antimony, or any toxin, requires you to take an inventory of your life and determine exactly where you’re receiving exposure. Are you drinking purified water? Do you have a water treatment system in your house? Do you work in an environment where antimony is present? You need to address these issues at the source. Once you’ve eliminated sources of toxins in your life, cleansing your body may be the next step to a cleaner, healthier you.

References (9)

1. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Basic information about Antimony in drinking water. Water. 2012 March 06.


2. Edwaed Weil. Sergei Levchik. Flame retardants for plastics and textiles: practical applications. Hanser. 2009 June 1. ISBN-10: 1569904545. Print.


3. Quiroz W, De Gregori I, Basilio P, Bravo M, Pinto M, Lobos MG. Heavy weight vehicle traffic and its relationship with antimony content in human blood. J Environ Monit. 2009 May;11(5):1051-5. doi: 10.1039/b815838j. Epub 2009 Mar 5.


4. de Perio MA, Durgam S, Caldwell KL, Eisenberg J. A health hazard evaluation of antimony exposure in fire fighters. J Occup Environ Med. 2010 Jan;52(1):81-4. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0b013e3181c7514a.


5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Pseudo-outbreak of antimony toxicity in firefighters – Florida, 2009. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2009 Nov 27;58(46):1300-2.


6. Sundar S, Chakravarty J. Antimony toxicity. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2010 Dec;7(12):4267-77. doi: 10.3390/ijerph7124267. Epub 2010 Dec 20. Review.


7. Sophie Borland. Fruit juice cancer warning as scientists find harmful chemical in 16 drinks. Mail Online. 2010 March 1.


8. Hansen C, Tsirigotaki A, Bak SA, Pergantis SA, Stürup S, Gammelgaard B, Hansen HR. Elevated antimony concentrations in commercial juices. J Environ Monit. 2010 Apr;12(4):822-4. doi: 10.1039/b926551a. Epub 2010 Feb 17.


9. Sullivan MJ, Leavey S. Heavy metals in bottled natural spring water. J Environ Health. 2011 Jun;73(10):8-13.

The post The Health Dangers of Antimony appeared first on The Sleuth Journal.

Metal Toxicity: Health Dangers of Nickel

Nickel is a metal, commonly used to make coins, magnets, jewelry, stainless steel, electronics, and components of industrial machines. Most people are familiar with the attractive mirror-finish that can be achieved by nickel plating. However, despite the beautiful appearance, nickel exposure, especially in industrial and occupational settings, can present significant health hazards.

Effects of Nickel Exposure

Nickel is one of many carcinogenic metals known to be an environmental and occupational pollutant. The New York University School of Medicine warns that chronic exposure has been connected with increased risk of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological deficits, developmental deficits in childhood, and high blood pressure. ^[1]

Nickel exposure introduces free radicals which lead to oxidative damage and may also affect the kidneys and liver. ^[2] In 2012, Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture administered liver function tests to 25 nickel-plating workers. Results showed they overwhelmingly suffered from compromised liver function. ^[3]

Researchers at Dominican University of California have linked nickel exposure to breast cancer. How? Well, nickel is believed to bind to estrogen receptors and mimic the actions of estrogen. It is well established that lifetime estrogen exposure is a breast cancer risk factor, and, unfortunately, even this “imposter estrogen” contributes to the risk. ^[4]

Additionally, nickel has been identified as a toxin that severely damages reproductive health and can lead to infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, and nervous system defects. ^[5] [6]

Why is Nickel Toxic?

Having toxic metals in your body is like having sugar in your gas tank. It’s simply not built to process the material and severe mechanical problems are going to result. No, they don’t just “pass right through.” According to the National Cancer Institute at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, metals are not inert, they have biological activity. ^[7]

Nickel toxicity, specifically, was evaluated by researcheres at Michigan State University who found it presented a multi-tiered toxic attack. First, nickel causes essential metal imbalances. It severely disrupts enzyme action and regulation. Finally, it causes and contributes to a high amount of oxidative stress. ^[8]

Occupational Exposure to Nickel

Nickel is widely used in industry, primarily refining, electroplating, and welding. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health warns that workers who inhale nickel laced dust and fumes are at an increased risk for lung cancer and fibrosis. ^[9]

The increasingly common use of nanoparticles has introduced a new generation of health concerns… with good reason. South Africa’s National Institute for Occupational Health recently attributed the death of a 38-year-old man to respiratory distress caused by inhaling nickel nanoparticles during an industrial manufacturing process. ^[10]

Casual Exposure to Nickel

Did you know orthodontics (braces) may contain nickel? Because they are in contact with saliva, acidic fluids, and temperature changes, the United Kingdom’s Bristol Dental Hospital warns that corrosion and subsequent ingestion may be an item for concern. ^[11]

Additionally, people like shiny things and nickel is shiny, which is why a lot of jewelry contains nickel. Perhaps you have seen some jewelry selections that are “nickel free?” This supply exists to serve the 10-20% of the population who are sensitive to nickel and experience a rash when it touches their skin.

Mitigating Nickel Exposure

Tests can be performed to determine the presence of nickel in the body but the resulting adverse health effects cannot be predicted. Minimizing your exposure risks is a solid course of action. Most people can simply avoid jewelry that contains nickel but but if you work in an affected industry, you may want to seriously consider your potential health hazards.

There is one positive item to mention. A study out of Saudi Arabia confirmed the toxic effects of nickel nanoparticles on the airway and lungs. More interesting, however, is that researchers reported a reduction in toxicity and oxidative stress when curcumin was introduced. ^[12]

References (12)

1. Chervona Y, Arita A, Costa M. Carcinogenic metals and the epigenome: understanding the effect of nickel, arsenic, and chromium. Metallomics. 2012 Jul;4(7):619-27. doi: 10.1039/c2mt20033c. Epub 2012 Apr 3. Review.


2. Das KK, Das SN, Dhundasi SA. Nickel, its adverse health effects & oxidative stress. Indian J Med Res. 2008 Oct;128(4):412-25. Review.


3. El-Shafei HM. Assessment of liver function among nickel-plating workers in Egypt. East Mediterr Health J. 2011 Jun;17(6):490-4.


4. Aquino NB, Sevigny MB, Sabangan J, Louie MC. The role of cadmium and nickel in estrogen receptor signaling and breast cancer: metalloestrogens or not? J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev. 2012;30(3):189-224. doi: 10.1080/10590501.2012.705159. Review.


5. Forgacs Z, Massányi P, Lukac N, Somosy Z. Reproductive toxicology of nickel – review. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng. 2012;47(9):1249-60. doi: 10.1080/10934529.2012.672114. Review.


6. Apostoli P, Catalani S. Metal ions affecting reproduction and development. Met Ions Life Sci. 2011;8:263-303.


7. Tokar EJ, Benbrahim-Tallaa L, Waalkes MP. Metal ions in human cancer development. Met Ions Life Sci. 2011;8:375-401.


8. Macomber L, Hausinger RP. Mechanisms of nickel toxicity in microorganisms. Metallomics. 2011 Nov;3(11):1153-62. doi: 10.1039/c1mt00063b. Epub 2011 Jul 28.


9. Zhao J, Shi X, Castranova V, Ding M. Occupational toxicology of nickel and nickel compounds. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol. 2009;28(3):177-208. Review.


10. Phillips JI, Green FY, Davies JC, Murray J. Pulmonary and systemic toxicity following exposure to nickel nanoparticles. Am J Ind Med. 2010 Aug;53(8):763-7. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20855.


11. House K, Sernetz F, Dymock D, Sandy JR, Ireland AJ. Corrosion of orthodontic appliances–should we care? Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2008 Apr;133(4):584-92. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2007.03.021. Review.


12. Siddiqui MA, Ahamed M, Ahmad J, Majeed Khan MA, Musarrat J, Al-Khedhairy AA, Alrokayan SA. Nickel oxide nanoparticles induce cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and apoptosis in cultured human cells that is abrogated by the dietary antioxidant curcumin. Food Chem Toxicol. 2012 Mar;50(3-4):641-7. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2012.01.017. Epub 2012 Jan 18.

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Toxic Metal: The Health Dangers of Barium

Barium is a natural, silvery-white earth metal. Highly reactive with air, barium is not found naturally in pure forms but as a component of ores. When barium is combined with other elements to form barium compounds, it has many applications. Barium carbonate is used as a rat poison, low amounts of barium sulfate may be ingested prior to receiving an x-ray to provide better imaging, and industries such as mining, refining, glass, and coal also utilize barium. Barium exposure, however, can cause serious health problems.

Sources of Barium Exposure

Barium exposure can happen through a number of channels including occupational exposure, groundwater contamination, environmental pollution, cigarette smoke, and even certain medical procedures. In my opinion, industrial use is perhaps of the largest concern due to the potential for massive environmental pollution.

One such example is large, flat-panel televisions. They have become very popular and celebrity-fascination coupled with ever-dropping price points are a likely indicator that their prevalence will continue. Televisions, old and new, contain chemicals and toxic metals. According to UC Davis’ Department of Chemical Engineering, the list of toxins included with most televisions includes arsenic, barium, cadmium, lead, and mercury (and programming that is overwhelmingly void-of-thought). When televisions are improperly disposed of, environmental and groundwater contamination can be an extremely serious problem. In the past 5 years, how many people do you know who have replaced an old television with a new one? We’ve heard that television can be bad for the brain but the potential environmental and public health impact from leaky television disposal really gives that idea a new meaning. ^[1]

As if you needed another reason to avoid cigarettes, the CDC’s Office of Smoking and Health have reported that cigarette smokers have higher levels of chemicals and toxic metals, including cadmium, lead, and barium. ^[2]

Barium salts can improve x-ray imaging and certain radiological procedures require that patients drink a barium sulfate beverage; perhaps you or someone you know have been lucky enough to receive a barium enema prior to a colon x-ray? In 2003, it was reported that a contaminated barium solution had been linked to 44 suspected cases of barium toxicity and as many as 9 deaths. Following this tragedy, the CDC recommends patients and clinicians be mindful of barium toxicity after radiologic procedures. ^[3]

What are the Symptoms of Barium Exposure?

According to Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown New Jersey, classic signs of barium toxicity include low blood potassium, cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory failure, gastrointestinal dysfunction, paralysis, muscle twitching, and elevated blood pressure. ^[4] Severe barium toxicity can lead to kidney damage, respiratory failure, and death. ^[5] Regular barium exposure has even been fingered as a potential contributor in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis. ^[6]

The Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School reported a case of a man who had ingested fireworks (health tip: do not eat fireworks) and developed barium poisoning as a result. He exhibited reduced mental function, heart problems, and respiratory failure. Following an intervention with a ventilator and potassium supplementation, he improved. ^[7] Potassium supplementation to counteract barium toxicity has been recognized since at least the early 1930s. ^[8]

Addressing Barium Exposure Concerns

Barium levels in the body can be measured through bone, blood, feces or urine samples. However, tests cannot determine the duration or level of barium exposure. If you’re concerned with the negative effects of barium or other chemical and toxic metal exposure, I recommend taking a personal inventory of your life to determine your exposure risks. Are you drinking purified water? Are you consuming organic foods that are free of pesticides? Do you live in an area more susceptible to industrial contamination? Are you cleansing your body? These are just a few things to consider. Once you’ve identified the sources of toxins, you can work on removing them from your life.

References (8)

1. Lim SR, Schoenung JM. Human health and ecological toxicity potentials due to heavy metal content in waste electronic devices with flat panel displays. J Hazard Mater. 2010 May 15;177(1-3):251-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.12.025. Epub 2009 Dec 11.


2. Richter PA, Bishop EE, Wang J, Swahn MH. Tobacco smoke exposure and levels of urinary metals in the U.S. youth and adult population: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2009 Jul;6(7):1930-46. doi: 10.3390/ijerph6071930. Epub 2009 Jul 2.


3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Barium toxicity after exposure to contaminated contrast solution–Goias State, Brazil, 2003. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2003 Oct 31;52(43):1047-8.


4. acobs IA, Taddeo J, Kelly K, Valenziano C. Poisoning as a result of barium styphnate explosion. Am J Ind Med. 2002 Apr;41(4):285-8.


5. Johnson CH, VanTassell VJ. Acute barium poisoning with respiratory failure and rhabdomyolysis. Ann Emerg Med. 1991 Oct;20(10):1138-42. Review.


6. Purdey M. Chronic barium intoxication disrupts sulphated proteoglycan synthesis: a hypothesis for the origins of multiple sclerosis. Med Hypotheses. 2004;62(5):746-54.


7. Rhyee SH, Heard K. Acute barium toxicity from ingestion of “snake” fireworks. J Med Toxicol. 2009 Dec;5(4):209-13.


8. Bowen LN, Subramony SH, Cheng J, Wu SS, Okun MS. Elementary, my dear Dr. Allen: the case of barium toxicity and Pa Ping. Neurology. 2010 May 11;74(19):1546-9. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181e222ee. Review.

The post Toxic Metal: The Health Dangers of Barium appeared first on The Sleuth Journal.

The Health Dangers of Beryllium

The extensive use of toxic metals in industry and consumer products has resulted in a toxic metal proliferation in our daily lives and environment. Metals are not biodegradable and can remain in the environment to produce a variety of negative effects. Toxic metal exposure has been linked to organ damage and some metals have the potential to cause cancer.

What is Beryllium?

Beryllium is an industrial metal with some attractive attributes. It’s lighter than aluminum and 6x stronger than steel. It’s usually combined with other metals and is a key component in the aerospace and electronics industries. Beryllium is also used in the production of nuclear weapons. With that, you may not be surprised to learn that beryllium is one of the most toxic elements in existence. Beryllium is a Class A EPA carcinogen and exposure can cause Chronic Beryllium Disease, an often fatal lung disease. ^[1]

Sources of Beryllium Exposure

Every day, we’re all exposed to slight levels of beryllium in the air we breathe, foods we eat, and water we drink. Industrial sources such as coal power plants and manufacturing plants (including nuclear weapon manufacturing) have released beryllium into the environment. Persons living in or near areas with hazardous waste contamination are at high risk for beryllium exposure. The most common and harmful beryllium exposure occurs from inhalation. ^[1]

Chronic Beryllium Disease

Beryllium is extremely toxic to lung tissue. Prolonged exposure can lead to chronic beryllium disease, a debilitating lung disease with a scary similarity to sarcoidosis. ^[2] In fact, CBD is sometimes mistaken for sarcoidosis because inhalation of metal dust and fumes (specifically from aluminum, barium, beryllium) can cause granulomatous lung disease which mimics sarcoidosis. ^[3] Evidence suggests even very low concentrations of beryllium may cause the disease. A fact known all to well by persons who live near beryllium refineries and even family members of factory workers; as dust is transported via workers’ clothes into their homes. For those susceptible, it is not even known if any level of beryllium exposure can be considered “safe”, exposure must be reduced. ^[4] Symptoms of Chronic Beryllium disease include:

• Weakness


• Fatigue


• Difficulty Breathing


• Weight Loss or Anorexia


• Enlargement of the Right Side of the Heart


• Heart Disease

Other Dangers of Beryllium Exposure

Beryllium and related compounds have been associated with chromosomal damage. ^[5] A study designed to determine if toxic metal exposure was associated with suicide risk among plant workers found that beryllium exposure likely had an increased hazard ratio. ^[6] Welding produces fumes that are toxic when inhaled and beryllium is a welding material of concern. Welding fumes cause lung impairment, lung disease, cough, asthma, and lung carcinoma. Eye and skin irritation, malignant melanoma, and negative reproductive effects are also reported. ^[7] In pregnant women, exposure arsenic, cadmium, nickel, and beryllium (all carcinogenic) may negatively impact the fetus. Exposure is often cited as contact with second-hand smoke and living close to transportation routes or industrial exhaust. ^[8]

Minimize Your Risks from Beryllium Exposure

The use of toxic metals by humans is unlikely to end, this includes the carcinogens- arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium compounds, and nickel compounds. We must take strides to minimize environmental impact and the toxic impact of these materials on our bodies. Your beryllium levels can be determined by blood tests and can also be measured from skin or lung samples. Tests can indicate your levels of beryllium, but cannot tell you where or when exposure happened. If you’re concerned about your beryllium levels, I recommend taking inventory of your environmental risk factors, making the appropriate changes, and performing a chemical and toxic metal cleanse.

References (8)

1. Taylor TP, Ding M, Ehler DS, Foreman TM, Kaszuba JP, Sauer NN. Beryllium in the environment: a review. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng. 2003 Feb;38(2):439-69. Review.


2. Dudek W, Walusiak J, Wittczak T. [Beryllium–underestimated occupational health hazard in Poland]. Med Pr. 2001;52(6):471-8. Review. Polish.


3. Newman LS. Metals that cause sarcoidosis. Semin Respir Infect. 1998 Sep;13(3):212-20. Review.


4. Sanderson WT, Henneberger PK, Martyny J, Ellis K, Mroz MM, Newman LS. Beryllium contamination inside vehicles of machine shop workers. Appl Occup Environ Hyg. 1999 Apr;14(4):223-30.


5. Gazalieva MA. [Genotoxic effects caused in workers by beryllium compounds]. Med Tr Prom Ekol. 2009;(9):32-6. Russian.


6. Figgs LW, Holsinger H, Freitas SJ, Brion GM, Hornung RW, Rice CH, Tollerud D. Increased suicide risk among workers following toxic metal exposure at the Paducah gaseous diffusion plant from 1952 to 2003: a cohort study. Int J Occup Environ Med. 2011 Oct;2(4):199-214.


7. Meo SA, Al-Khlaiwi T. Health hazards of welding fumes. Saudi Med J. 2003 Nov;24(11):1176-82. Review.


8. Guan H, Piao FY, Li XW, Li QJ, Xu L, Yokoyama K. Maternal and fetal exposure to four carcinogenic environmental metals. Biomed Environ Sci. 2010 Dec;23(6):458-65. doi: 10.1016/S0895-3988(11)60008-1.

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Study: Excessive Cadmium Linked to Higher Risk of Endometrial Cancer

Women who have excessive cadmium in their bodies may be at increased risk for developing endometrial cancer, researchers from the University of Missouri reported in a recent study.

Accounting for 92% of cancers of the uterus, endometrial cancer, or uterine cancer, is the most common type of reproductive cancer in women in the United States. The disease is caused by cells in the endometrium growing out of control.

Cadmium is a “highly persistent” toxic metal which mimics estrogen in the body. According to lead author Jane McElroy, an associate professor in the University of Missouri Medical School’s Department of Family and Community Medicine, and a team of researchers, cadmium builds up in the body over time. It has been linked to “a variety of adverse health effects,” including kidney damage, calcium imbalance, and an increased risk of pancreatic, breast, and endometrial cancer.

Apart from exposure on the job, excess cadmium usually enters the body through 1 of 2 ways: by eating foods that contain the metal, and by smoking tobacco. Smoking tobacco is cadmium’s second port of entry to the body due to the fact that tobacco plants absorb it from the soil. In urine tests, heavy smokers were found to contain twice as much cadmium as non-smokers.’

Related: High Levels of Heavy Metals Found in Popular Chocolate Brands

Cadmium & Cancers

It’s logical to assume cadmium fuels hormone-dependent cancers because the toxic metal has similar effects to that of the female hormone, estrogen.

McElroy explained:

“Endometrial cancer has been associated with estrogen exposure. Because cadmium mimics estrogen, it may lead to an increased growth of the endometrium, contributing to an increased risk of endometrial cancer.”

However, it was the lack of information about the link that led researchers to dig deeper.

Additionally, past studies have suggested that even low levels of cadmium may significantly shorten the protective caps of DNA on the ends of chromosomes, called telomeres. [2]

Telomeres are associated with aging, and shortened telomeres may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, various age-related conditions, and cancer.

Studying the Link

Researchers gathered data from the cancer registries in Arkansas, Iowa, and Missouri to identify cases of endometrial cancer. Participants included 631 women with a history of endometrial cancer, and 879 women with no history of the disease who served as a control group. [3]

The women completed a 200-question survey about risk factors potentially associated with endometrial cancer. Once the questionnaires were completed, the participants were asked to collect their own urine and saliva samples for the researchers, so they could analyze them for cadmium.

McElroy said:

“When comparing the cadmium levels of the individuals with endometrial cancer to the control group, we found a statistically significant increased risk of the cancer associated with a woman’s cadmium levels. We found the rate of endometrial cancer incidence increased by 22% in individuals with increased cadmium levels.”

More research is necessary to determine how strong the link is between excess cadmium and endometrial cancer, but based on the limited information available, there are some things you can do to limit your cadmium exposure.

McElroy explained:

“We all have cadmium present in our kidneys and livers, but smoking has been shown to more than double a person’s cadmium exposure.

Also, we recommend being attentive to your diet, as certain foods such as shellfish, kidney and liver can contain high levels of cadmium. You don’t necessarily need to cut these from your diet, but eat them in moderation. This is especially true if women have a predisposition to endometrial cancer, such as a family history, diabetes or obesity.”

Moreover, studies have shown that quercetin, an antioxidant compound found in fruits and vegetables like onions and apples, may protect the body against cadmium exposure, while cilantro and chlorella can help the body detox from the substance.

Sources:

[1] Medical News Today

[2] Prevention

[3] Science Daily

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About Julie Fidler:
	Julie Fidler is a freelance writer, legal blogger, and the author of Adventures in Holy Matrimony: For Better or the Absolute Worst. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two ridiculously spoiled cats. She occasionally pontificates on her blog.

What Baby Teeth may Tell Researchers About Autism

Researchers are constantly studying and learning more about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but they have yet to be able to pinpoint specific causes. The origins of the disorder seem to be based in genetics and environmental factors. Now a study funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health and Sciences (NIEHS) seems to suggest that exposure to heavy metals could be one of the environmental triggers of autism. [1]

The researchers behind the study found that the baby teeth of children with autism contain more lead and fewer vital nutrients, including manganese and zinc, compared to the teeth of children without the developmental condition.

Cindy Lawler, Ph.D., head of the NIEHS Genes, Environment, and Health Branch, said:

“We think autism begins very early, most likely in the womb, and research suggests that our environment can increase a child’s risk. But by the time children are diagnosed at age 3 or 4, it’s hard to go back and know what the moms were exposed to. With baby teeth, we can actually do that.” [1]

The study is the work of researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. It involved 32 sets of twins recruited from a national database of twins in Sweden, and was intended to see whether levels of lead and other metals correlated with an increased risk of autism. [2]

Source: Autism Speaks

Read: Possible Causes of Autism

Of the 32 sets, 6 had only 1 twin with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 7 had both twins with ASD, and 19 were unaffected by ASD.

Lasers were used to extract precise layers of the hard substance beneath tooth enamel, called dentine, to be analyzed for metals. Umbilical cord blood was used to check prenatal levels of metals.

Manish Arora, Ph.D., an environmental scientist and dentist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, said:

“What is needed is a window into our fetal life. Unlike genes, our environment is constantly changing, and our body’s response to environmental stressors not only depends on just how much we were exposed to, but at what age we experienced that exposure.” [2]

Researchers got a closer look at fetal life when they uncovered major differences in pairs in which only one twin was diagnosed with autism, and less significant changes among pairs in which both twins had ASD. They were able to show dissimilarities in six metals, including lead, zinc, tin, chromium, manganese, and strontium, out of the 10 metals studied and autism rates.

They found that:

• Lead levels were consistently higher from 10 weeks before birth to 20 weeks after birth in children with ASD than in children without the disorder.

• The most significant difference appeared to occur at 15 weeks after the twins’ birth; lead levels were 1.5 times higher in kids with ASD than in their co-twins.

• Manganese levels were found to be consistently lower in children with ASD at 10 weeks prenatal to birth, and at 5-20 weeks after birth. The largest difference was seen at 15 weeks, at which point manganese levels were 2.5 times lower in ASD cases. [2]

Source: Deal With Autism

Perhaps the most compelling finding from the study was that lead appears to replace zinc and manganese in autistic children’s baby teeth. This is similar to what happens in the brains of some people who are exposed to lead, only in the case of the brain, lead takes the place of calcium and makes the patient more crime-prone. [3]

It’s heartbreaking to think about what the children of Flint, Michigan, may be facing after being exposed to lead in their drinking water.

The study is in no way the final word on environmental causes of autism. The research involved a small number of subjects, and looked only at twins in order to isolate environmental factors. Not all the pieces fit together. Lead exposure in children was at its peak during the ’50s into the late ’70s, so why didn’t autism rates climb during those decades and then decline? It’s entirely possible that lead plays such a small role that it ends up getting muted in the historical data by other things.

Researchers previously had mixed results about autism and exposure to metals, particularly lead; but genetics and other factors could have limited the findings. The scientists had hoped that studying twins would rule genetics out as a factor and isolate metal exposures from the environment.

Said Arora:

“We have identified the time period when we are most susceptible. We hope to be able to provide clinical recommendations to help as we continue to do more research.” [2]

The study was published in Nature Communications.

Sources:

[1] The Huffington Post

[2] ABC News

[3] Mother Jones

Autism Speaks

Deal With Autism

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About Julie Fidler:
	Julie Fidler is a freelance writer, legal blogger, and the author of Adventures in Holy Matrimony: For Better or the Absolute Worst. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two ridiculously spoiled cats. She occasionally pontificates on her blog.