Cancer And Heavy Metals - Unfortunate Bedfellows

Cancer accounted for 7.9 million deaths (13% of all deaths) in 2007, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is estimated that this number will rise to 12 million deaths by 2030. WHO reports that cancer may arise from changes to a single cell which may be genetically based or caused by external agents. Scientists and medical professionals have, for many years, been researching the relationship between serious health challenges such as cancer and heavy metals.  We will explore this unfortunate relationship and learn how to remove heavy metals and toxins from the body.

What are Heavy Metals?

It is difficult to define the term 'heavy metal' as definitions can vary based on density, weight, chemical properties or toxicity (which is the measure of how harmful a substance can be to an organism). However, Life Extension defines heavy metals as "chemical elements with a specific gravity that is at least 5 times the specific gravity of water ... including arsenic, 5.7; cadmium, 8.65; lead, 11.34; and mercury, 13.546".[1]

What we do know is that heavy metals of different kinds are found in our ecosystem and that some contribute to devastating health challenges. Research has shown that the average person has at least 125 heavy metals in their bodies at any given time and that heavy metals can be transferred from mother to baby. Some of the heavy metals that are known to cause serious health challenges such as cancer as described below.

Lead is a highly toxic metal found in some products that we purchase and also in our environment. While its use has been dramatically reduced, it can still be found in lead based acid batteries or paints, lead contaminated dust and residential soils and possibly in our drinking water through corrosive plumbing materials. Lead, even in small quantities, can be very dangerous to our health resulting in damage to red blood cells, the brain, kidneys and the central nervous system.

Arsenic is released into the atmosphere from manufacturing processes, rat poisons and fungicides. Like Lead, Arsenic may also be found in water supplies and seafood. Deposits of Arsenic in the body can affect the blood, kidneys and the central nervous and digestive systems.

Mercury is produced by mining and other industries and is also released into the atmosphere from volcanic emissions. While the use of Mercury has been under scrutiny for many years, it is still used in thermometers and dental amalgam.  Inhalation of Mercury is the most frequent cause of exposure. Mercury poisoning can lead to nausea, vomitting, diarrhea and severe kidney damage.

Cadmium is, like Mercury,  produced by mining and other industries. It can be found in nickel-cadmium batteries, PVC plastics, and paint pigments as well as in agriculture. It may also be found in cigarettes and reservoirs containing shellfish. Exposure to Cadmium can lead to damage of the liver, kidneys, lungs, brain and bones.

How do Heavy Metals Contribute to Serious Illness?

The presence of heavy metals in the body may lead to genotoxicity which means that the genetic material of a cell is compromised. Cells affected in this way may become mutated or carcinogenic which may contribute to the development of tumours. When a cell is affected in this way, it is unable to accurately replicate itself and spreads mutations of the original cell throughout the body. The presence of mutated cells in the body may increase the risk of cancer.

The fundamental metabolic functioning of the body is also challenged through genotoxicity.  In particular, by accumulation of heavy metals in the cells and tissues, vital organs are affected including the heart, bone and liver etc. It is also thought that the presence of heavy metals displaces vital nutritional minerals and disturbs enzyme activity which results in metabolic disturbances. Many heavy metal toxins are also fat soluble and settle in fatty parts of the body such as the brain and hormonal glands. This toxic overload can continue for many years and may result in hormonal imbalances, infertility, adrenal gland exhaustion and many serious health conditions.

What Can You Do To Protect Yourself?

By virtue of living on the planet, it is impossible to avoid ingesting heavy metals into our bodies, when you consider the myriad sources of toxins in our environment.  However, there is one vital, daily habit we can adopot to help fight the ongoing battle of heavy metal toxicity and reduce our risk of contracting a serious illness. That habit is to daily detoxify the body of toxins and heavy metals. It is critical in the world today to keep our bodies as toxin free as possible and now that we have a safe,  scientifically proven product that is easy to use, we can be proactive in regaining and maintaining our health, thus reducing the risk of becoming seriously ill.

Take a daily shower on the inside - Your body will love you!

Sources and More Information:

Life Extension: Heavy Metal Toxicity
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Jannette has researched health and well being issues for the past 20 years and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Promotion. Healthy eating, regular meditation, moderation in everything and taking the correct supplements can make an enormous improvement to the quality of our lives. Claim your free Aussie eBook "The Truth Revealed - Activated Liquid Zeolite" at http://www.CleansingZeolite.com

 or email Jannette at janobarr@gmail.com