10 Best Heavy Metal Detox Supplements

10 Best Supplements To Do A Heavy Metal Detoxification

You will find the 10 best heavy metal detox supplements for adults and kids in this article.

Toxicity of heavy metals

Did you know that major chronic diseases in adults are associated with toxic heavy metals¹?

Also, exposure to toxic metals early in life compromises development, with lifelong impairments¹.

Heavy metals have no beneficial role in humans¹.

They induce severe toxicities in multiple organ systems as they bind in your tissues, where they create oxidative stress, affect endocrine function, and interfere with essential minerals such as magnesium and zinc¹.

What are the symptoms of heavy metals in the body?

Symptoms that arise as a result of metal poisoning include^1,2,3:

• Intellectual and behavioral impairments in children (including autism)
• Neurological decline such as dementia, in adults
• Cardiovascular, kidney, and liver diseases
• Insomnia
• Emotional instability and depression
• Vision disturbances

What are heavy metals?

Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements characterized by their high atomic weight and density^4,5.

They are defined by a density at least 5 times greater than that of water^4,5.

While some heavy metals like selenium, iron, and zinc are essential trace elements for various biological processes⁴.

Some others like mercury, cadmium, arsenic, thallium, and lead have no biological role and induce toxic effects^4,5.

This article deals with toxic heavy metals.

Where do heavy metals come from?

Heavy metals result from asteroid impacts⁴.

They can be found in the Earth’s crust, typically in rather low concentrations⁴.

However, their multiple applications in industry, agriculture, medicine, and technology have led to their wide distribution in the environment⁵.

A list of the common toxic heavy metals

In all, there are 84 different heavy metals⁶.

Here is a list of the common toxic ones and the symptoms they induce.

Metal	Symptoms induced
Mercury	Hypertension, pulmonary and renal dysfunction, intellectual and neurological disorders, autism2,3.
Lead	Intellectual and motor disability, infertility, birth defects, psychosis, autism, hyperactivity, paralysis, kidney damage2.
Cadmium	Bone mineral density decrease, osteoporosis, cancers of the lungs, prostate, kidneys, liver, stomach and hematopoietic system5.
Arsenic	Gastrointestinal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases, lymphatic and other cancers2.

The mechanism of heavy metal detox

Detoxification is the ability to remove drugs, mutagens, and other harmful agents from the body³.

Some dietary supplements and foods can remove heavy metals from your body by binding to them.

Once mobilized from your tissues, these metals circulate to your kidneys or your liver for excretion.

What are heavy metal chelators?

Chelators are molecules that bind with two or more coordination bonds to metals¹.

Typically, sulfur, nitrogen, and/or oxygen atoms on the chelating molecule give an electron to metals¹.

Because there is more than one bond, the chelator can grip metals like pliers.

As a result, the sequestered metal is more stable during its transportation to your kidneys or your liver for excretion and there is less risk for it to re-circulate in your body¹.

10 Best heavy metal detox supplements

Heavy metal detox supplements can be used as potential therapeutic agents for many chronic diseases with great impact⁷.

Here are the 10 best supplements to do a heavy metal detox for adults and kids:

1. R-alpha-lipoic acid

R-alpha-lipoic acid is an organosulfur compound naturally occurring in your body^2,8.

It is considered a chelator because it contains two sulfur atoms that can grip a heavy metal atom^2,7,8,9.

It is beneficial against^2,10,11,12:

• Cadmium
• Copper
• Lead
• Mercury
• Arsenic

Since R-alpha-lipoic acid competes with biotin in your body, it is recommended to combine both supplements during the heavy metal detox process¹³.

2. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is an organosulfur compound present in fruits and vegetables such as cruciferous vegetables, garlic, and onions^14,15.

This bioavailable source of sulfur, like other forms of sulfur, removes the following heavy metals from your body¹⁶:

• Arsenic
• Mercury
• Lead
• Cadmium
• Copper

3. Chlorella

Chlorella is a single-cell microscopic green alga¹⁷.

It contains thiol (sulfhydryl) groups on its cell wall that can bind to heavy metals and grip them¹⁸.

For this reason, chlorella is considered a heavy metal chelator¹.

It removes the following heavy metals from your body^19,20,21:

• Mercury
• Cadmium
• Strontium
• Copper
• Lead
• Chromium
• Cobalt
• Arsenic

Related: How To Alkalize Your Body Fast

4. Iodine

Iodine is a chemical element member of the halogen family²³.

It is an essential component of thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland²³.

Iodine deficiency is the leading cause of preventable mental retardation^23,24,25.

It also causes learning disabilities and poor motivation²⁶.

Iodine eliminates the following toxic metals^27,28,29:

• Mercury
• Cadmium
• Thallium

Since iodine and selenium are dependent on each other, it is recommended to take both supplements during the heavy metal detox process^30,31.

5. Activated charcoal

Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a type of carbon with a porous structure³².

It consits of carbonized coal, wood, or coconut shell³³.

Activated charcoal has a high capacity to adsorb heavy metal ions as well as other toxins³³.

It removes the following heavy metals from the aquous phase^33,34,35:

• Cadmium
• Copper
• Nickel
• Lead
• Chrome
• Arsenic

Related: How To Remove MRI Contrast Dye (Gadolinium) From The Body Naturally

6. Zinc

Zinc is an essential heavy metal in the human body^4,6,36.

It is toxic only in excess³⁷.

Zinc improves the excretion of the following metals from your body^2,38,39:

• Cadmium
• Arsenic
• Lead

Since zinc and selenium function synergistically, it is recommended to take both supplements when you do a heavy metal detox³⁹.

Related: 13 Health Benefits Of Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

7. Selenium

Selenium is a non-metal element necessary for cellular function in humans⁴⁰.

Although it is essential in trace amounts, it is toxic in large doses⁴⁰.

Selenium supplementation has a protective role against the toxicity of^1,41,42,43:

• Mercury
• Cadmium
• Arsenic
• Lead

Since selenium and iodine, as well as selenium and zinc, are dependent on each other, it is recommended to combine these 3 supplements during the heavy metal detox process^30,31,39.

Related: 3 Best Liver Cleanse Juice Recipes

8. Carnosine

Carnosine is a compound naturally produced in the liver from the amino acids beta-alanine and histidine⁴⁴.

It is highly concentrated in muscle and brain tissue⁴⁴.

Carnosine is present in meat but not vegetables. However, synthetic supplements do exist⁴⁴.

Furthermore, this molecule protects you against the toxicity induced by^45,46,47,48:

• Cadmium
• Lead
• Copper

9. Cilantro tincture drops

Cilantro, also known as coriander or Chinese parsley, is an annual herb in the Apiaceae family^49,50.

It is commonly used in cooking and has been used as a traditional remedy in ancient Egypt^49,50.

A study in a hospital in Japan showed that routine supplementation with cilantro leaves decreased mercury burden in the bodies of patients after dental amalgam removal⁵¹.

Coriander removes the following toxic heavy metals^50,52,53 :

• Mercury
• Lead
• Arsenic
• Cadmium
• Copper

Related: 13 Health Benefits Of Cilantro (Coriander) Leaves

10. Humic acid

Humic acids are organic compounds found abundantly in nature^54,55.

They are part of humus material, the major fraction of soil, peat, and coal^54,55.

Humic acids can adsorb heavy metals and thereby stabilize them⁵⁵.

These substances are thus responsible for the self-cleaning ability of soils⁵⁵.

Research indicates that humic acid reduces concentrations of the following toxic metals in soil^{55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62}:

• Mercury
• Copper
• Lead
• Cadmium
• Cobalt
• Nickel
• Vanadium
• Tin
• Arsenic

As a result, humic acid can help your body detox from these heavy metals.

Related: 13 Health Benefits Of A Bentonite Clay Detox Drink

Dosage

• Choose one of the supplements mentioned above.
• Take the lowest possible dosage.
• Wait 3-4 days to see how your body reacts.
• Gradually increase the amount and frequency.
• Later, switch to another supplement.
• Regularly take a break from the supplements to allow your body to eliminate the heavy metals.

Related: How To Detox Aluminum From The Body

What are the side effects of detoxifying heavy metals?

Heavy metal detox supplements can cause a Herxheimer reaction, known as die-off symptoms.

Here Is How To Avoid A Herxheimer Reaction.

How long does it take for toxins to leave your body?

It usually takes about 3-7 days for toxins to leave your body.

Related: Is Lemon Water Good For Detox?

Dental amalgam fillings

If you have dental amalgam fillings, it is best to have them removed.

Summary: 10 Best heavy metal detox supplements

Heavy metal detox supplements can be used as potential therapeutic agents for many chronic diseases with great epidemiological, economic, and social impact⁷.

Here are the 10 best heavy metal detox supplements for adults and kids:

1. R-alpha-lipoic-acid
2. MSM
3. Chlorella
4. Iodine
5. Activated charcoal
6. Zinc
7. Selenium
8. Carnosine
9. Cilantro
10. Humic acid