What is Aluminium?
Aluminium or aluminum is an essential nutrient and is required by the body however the use of aluminium both in everyday products and in food and drink is so prevalent that it increases the chances of getting too much aluminium.
What health problems are caused by aluminium toxicity?
The effects of high aluminium include neurotoxicity and linked to many health problems. Aluminium builds up in the brain that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. The statistics of these conditions have been predicted to rise. There are also other conditions linked to aluminium toxicity such as autism, parkinson’s, anemia, hemolysis, digestive problems, dental caries, dementia, osteomalacia, kidney and liver dysfunction. Aluminium is mostly stored in the liver, lungs, thyroid, bone and brain and can cause health problems related to these organs.
How can I know if I have aluminium toxicity?
You can check if you have high levels of aluminium using hair analysis or a blood test. However the readings may be unreliable as it may not measure the total amount stored in different areas of the body.
It is very likely that if you have been exposed to aluminium throughout your life you are likely to have a high amount of aluminium.
What can cause aluminium toxicity?
Common exposures of aluminium are from antiperspirants, deodorants, aluminium cookware, aluminium tinned food, aluminium cans, drinking from tap water, bleached flour, baking powders, table salts, pharmaceutical preparations, antacids and breathing in dust particles from sandpaper that contain aluminium oxide.
Although aluminium can be easily excreted via the urine this may not be the case for those with kidney disease or kidney failure and aluminium toxicity will simply increase and health problems with the kidneys will need to be resolved.
Aluminium Detox Remedies
There are several remedies to help eliminate excess aluminium from the body.
It is not necessary to use all the remedies and how many remedies you would like to apply will be largely dependent on the level of toxicity. As an example for a really severe toxicity all the remedies below may be useful.
Eliminate Aluminium Exposure
The first step is to avoid as much exposure of aluminium as possible. Instead of using antiperspirants and deodorants make your own or buy natural sprays that are not stored in aluminium spray cans. All aluminium cookware should also be avoided. Opt for healthy non toxic cookwares such as enamel glazed pans and ceramic frying pans. If cooking acidic foods in aluminium pots and pans this will leach more aluminium into your food. Most fizzy beverages are sold in aluminium cans and being incredibly acidic as well as unhealthy they are heavily contaminated and should be avoided.
Tap water should be filtered, it is better to use a water distiller as this will remove all contaminants. Consume only natural salts rather than table salts and purchase aluminium free baking powder. Use a manual or electric mill at home to make your own flour.
Without taking this very step to restrict exposure it is futile to try to detox your body of excess alumium using chelating methods. Eliminating exposure to aluminium should be a priority for those with kidney disease or kidney failure.
Sauna Sweating For Detox
The sweat glands is one of many ways the body eliminates certain minerals. Using a sauna is a good way to eliminate aluminium toxicity. Yoga and exercise will also help your body sweat and detox. It would also be advisable to supplement with other essential nutrients to avoid an imbalance of essential vitamins and minerals that can be lost through sweating.
Lymph draining massages
Lymph draining massage will help your body with the detox process, you can also use body brushing daily to achieve this.
Coriander leaves
Coriander also known as cilantro will help detox aluminium as well as other heavy metals such as mercury. Consume coriander leaves often. You can add in salads and all your recipes.
Food and supplements high in sulfur
Sulfur is an essential mineral and is made up of amino acids for the production of cells, tissues, enzymes, hormones and antibodies. Garlic and onion are high in sulfur and has been used throughout history as a liver tonic. Other foods rich in sulfur include radish, horseradish, watercress and the cruciferous vegetables with higher amounts found in red cabbage. It is important to supplement with sulfur as those who have been exposed to pharmaceuticals and heavy metals are likely to be deficient.
Supplements that contain sulfur include:
- MSM or DMSO
- NAC
- Alpha lipoic acid
- Taurine
- Cysteine
- SAMe
Malic Acid
Malic acid assists with aluminium excretion. You can take a malic acid supplement or eat foods high in malic acid. Foods containing malic acid include sour fruits and mostly green apples. Apple pectin will also help with reducing aluminium toxicity. Apple cider vinegar diluted in water is also helpful for excreting aluminium as it contains malic acid.
Turmeric
Some studies suggest that turmeric can help with removing aluminium from the body. Turmeric has a number of medicinal properties such as microbial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Turmeric contains curcumin and works by counteracting the oxidative stress caused by aluminium toxicity. Curcumin binds to the aluminium reducing its toxic effects and help eliminate it from the body. To use turmeric for its antioxidant properties simply add to food. Also add small amounts of fresh black pepper to the turmeric. Black pepper contains piperine which increases the bioavailability of the turmeric's curcumin by 2000% in humans. [1]
Silica
Silica can help detox heavy metals and in particular it can assist aluminium excretion via urine. Silica is highly effective as it will not eliminate other essential nutrients such as iron and copper. Silica can be found in high amounts in volvic water, diatomaceous earth and the herb horsetail. You can also take silica as a supplement.
Magnesium
It is important to make sure for overall good health you are sufficient in magnesium. Research has shown that adequate amounts of magnesium can help prevent the toxic effects of aluminum and assist with aluminium detoxification.
Vitamin C
It is good to supplement with high doses of Vitamin C as antioxidants can help counteract some of the oxidative stress caused by heavy metal toxicity. Vitamin C will also help protect the brain and body.