Why Are Heavy Metals a Concern?

Our bodies are designed to filter out everyday toxins, but heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic can build up quietly over time. Unlike nutrients our body can use, heavy metals tend to “stick” in tissues such as the brain, liver, and kidneys. This can slowly interfere with how these organs function.
Research has shown that long-term exposure to heavy metals is linked to serious health concerns:

  • Neurological health: Studies connect heavy metal buildup in the brain to memory problems, developmental issues in children, and conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease (Medscape, 2023).
  • Kidney health: Heavy metals can weaken the kidneys’ natural ability to filter and remove waste.
  • Heart health: Exposure increases the risk of cardiovascular issues over time.
  • Fertility: In men, heavy metals may lower sperm count and activity, affecting fertility (Medscape, 2023).

The challenge is that exposure often happens silently, through our water, food, or even the air we breathe.

What Exactly Is Chelation Therapy?

Chelation therapy is a process that uses natural “chelating agents” (nutrients that bind to metals) to help the body release stored heavy metals. In naturopathic care, this is often done through IV therapy using a combination of Vitamin C, B vitamins, and other supportive nutrients.

Think of chelation as giving your body a “helping hand” in detoxification. The nutrients bind to heavy metals and gently guide them out of the body through natural elimination pathways. Many people not only support detox this way, but also notice benefits like better energy, clearer thinking, and improved cardiovascular function.

Common Sources of Heavy Metals in Daily Life

You may be surprised at how many everyday items can contain heavy metals:

  • Lead: old water pipes, batteries, older paint, and even some construction materials
  • Mercury: seafood, fluorescent lightbulbs, silver dental fillings, and some antiseptics
  • Arsenic: contaminated water, herbicides, insecticides, certain paints, and even some natural algae products

Because these metals are microscopic, you usually can’t see or taste them. Exposure happens through drinking, eating, inhaling, or even skin contact.

What Symptoms Can They Cause?

Mild or early exposure can cause subtle signs that are easy to dismiss, such as:

  • Digestive upset (nausea, constipation, diarrhea)
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Dehydration
  • Tingling or numbness in the arms or legs

Over time, or at higher levels, exposure may contribute to more serious health challenges like anemia, irregular heart rhythms, memory issues, kidney or liver damage, and infertility.

How to Reduce Your Exposure Naturally

The good news is that there are practical, everyday steps you can take to lower your risk:

  • Test your home water for heavy metals, especially if you live in an older house with lead pipes.
  • Switch your cookware: use stainless steel or glass instead of aluminum pots and pans.
  • Check for lead paint in older homes (built before 1978).
  • Read product labels on cosmetics, hair products, and even spices for hidden contaminants.
  • Avoid smoking, which introduces metals like cadmium directly into your system.

Chelation Therapy Through a Naturopathic Lens

Naturopathic medicine looks at health holistically and supports the body’s natural ability to heal and restore balance. Chelation therapy fits beautifully into this philosophy.

  • It’s FDA-approved for documented heavy metal poisoning.
  • It may also support cardiovascular health, metabolism, and cellular repair (Lamas et al., Journal of the American Medical Association, 2013).
  • And it helps the body release toxic burdens so you can feel lighter, more energized, and more resilient.

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, nearly half of people tested in 2012 had detectable levels of heavy metals in their system. Of those impacted, most were completely unaware. That means prevention and gentle detoxification matter more than ever.

The Bottom Line: Heavy metals may be invisible, but their effects are real. By testing your environment, taking practical steps at home, and exploring therapies like chelation, you can protect your health and give your body the support it needs to thrive, now and for years to come.

Brianna Maughlin (Bri)

LPN IV

Prospectively Healthy & Wellness Clinic

209 W 12th Street, Hays KS 67601

P: 785-955-9228

F: 860-239-8243