Heavy Metal Detox (HMD)
Encyclopedia
Heavy metal detox, or detoxification, is the removal of metallic toxic substances from the body. In conventional medicine
, detoxification can also be achieved artificially by techniques such as dialysis
and (in a very limited number of cases) chelation therapy
. There is a firm scientific base in evidence-based medicine
for this type of detoxification. Many alternative medicine
practitioners promote various other types of detoxification such as "diet detoxification" but there is no evidence that detox diets have any health benefits. Furthermore, Sense About Science
, a UK-based charitable trust, determined 'detox' used in most commercial product descriptions does not have sufficient evidence to back their claims and is considered a 'waste of money'.
The detox
is performed to rid the body of toxic metals.
Toxic metals, including heavy metals
, are individual metals and metal compounds that negatively affect people's health. Some toxic, semi-metallic elements, including arsenic
and selenium
, are discussed in this page. In very small amounts, many of these metals are necessary to support life. However, in larger amounts, they become toxic. They may build up in biological systems and become a significant health hazard. This page provides a starting point for technical and regulatory information about toxic metals.
include hazardous waste sites and surrounding areas, and areas with high levels of arsenic naturally occurring in soil, rocks, and water. Exposure to high levels of arsenic can cause death.
has a wide variety of applications. Occupational exposure most often occurs in mining, extraction, and in the processing of alloy metals containing beryllium. Beryllium causes lung and skin disease in 2 to 10 percent of exposed workers.
is an extremely toxic metal commonly found in industrial workplaces, particularly where any ore is being processed or smelted. Several deaths from acute exposure have occurred among welder
s who have unsuspectingly welded on cadmium-containing alloys or with silver solder
s.
can be toxic. Calcium chromate
, chromium trioxide
, lead chromate, strontium chromate, and zinc chromate
are known human carcinogen
s. An increase in the incidence of lung cancer
has been observed among workers in industries that produce chromate and manufacture pigments containing chromate.
is one of the most prevalent overexposures. Industries with high potential exposures include construction work, most smelter operations, radiator
-repair shops, and firing ranges.
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, detoxification can also be achieved artificially by techniques such as dialysis
Dialysis
In medicine, dialysis is a process for removing waste and excess water from the blood, and is primarily used to provide an artificial replacement for lost kidney function in people with renal failure...
and (in a very limited number of cases) chelation therapy
Chelation therapy
Chelation therapy is the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body. For the most common forms of heavy metal intoxication—those involving lead, arsenic or mercury—the standard of care in the United States dictates the use of dimercaptosuccinic acid...
. There is a firm scientific base in evidence-based medicine
Evidence-based medicine
Evidence-based medicine or evidence-based practice aims to apply the best available evidence gained from the scientific method to clinical decision making. It seeks to assess the strength of evidence of the risks and benefits of treatments and diagnostic tests...
for this type of detoxification. Many alternative medicine
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
practitioners promote various other types of detoxification such as "diet detoxification" but there is no evidence that detox diets have any health benefits. Furthermore, Sense About Science
Sense About Science
Sense About Science is a British charity that promotes the public understanding of science. Sense About Science was conceived in 2002 by Lord Taverne, Bridget Ogilvie and others to promote respect for scientific evidence and good science. Sense About Science was established as a charitable trust in...
, a UK-based charitable trust, determined 'detox' used in most commercial product descriptions does not have sufficient evidence to back their claims and is considered a 'waste of money'.
The detox
Detox
Detoxification is the physiological or medicinal removal of toxic substances from a living organism, including, but not limited to, the human body and additionally can refer to the period of withdrawal during which an organism returns to homeostasis after long-term use of an addictive substance...
is performed to rid the body of toxic metals.
Toxic metals, including heavy metals
Heavy metals
A heavy metal is a member of a loosely-defined subset of elements that exhibit metallic properties. It mainly includes the transition metals, some metalloids, lanthanides, and actinides. Many different definitions have been proposed—some based on density, some on atomic number or atomic weight,...
, are individual metals and metal compounds that negatively affect people's health. Some toxic, semi-metallic elements, including arsenic
Arsenic
Arsenic is a chemical element with the symbol As, atomic number 33 and relative atomic mass 74.92. Arsenic occurs in many minerals, usually in conjunction with sulfur and metals, and also as a pure elemental crystal. It was first documented by Albertus Magnus in 1250.Arsenic is a metalloid...
and selenium
Selenium
Selenium is a chemical element with atomic number 34, chemical symbol Se, and an atomic mass of 78.96. It is a nonmetal, whose properties are intermediate between those of adjacent chalcogen elements sulfur and tellurium...
, are discussed in this page. In very small amounts, many of these metals are necessary to support life. However, in larger amounts, they become toxic. They may build up in biological systems and become a significant health hazard. This page provides a starting point for technical and regulatory information about toxic metals.
Arsenic
Common sources of exposure to higher-than-average levels of arsenicArsenic
Arsenic is a chemical element with the symbol As, atomic number 33 and relative atomic mass 74.92. Arsenic occurs in many minerals, usually in conjunction with sulfur and metals, and also as a pure elemental crystal. It was first documented by Albertus Magnus in 1250.Arsenic is a metalloid...
include hazardous waste sites and surrounding areas, and areas with high levels of arsenic naturally occurring in soil, rocks, and water. Exposure to high levels of arsenic can cause death.
Beryllium
Elemental berylliumBeryllium
Beryllium is the chemical element with the symbol Be and atomic number 4. It is a divalent element which occurs naturally only in combination with other elements in minerals. Notable gemstones which contain beryllium include beryl and chrysoberyl...
has a wide variety of applications. Occupational exposure most often occurs in mining, extraction, and in the processing of alloy metals containing beryllium. Beryllium causes lung and skin disease in 2 to 10 percent of exposed workers.
Cadmium
CadmiumCadmium
Cadmium is a chemical element with the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. This soft, bluish-white metal is chemically similar to the two other stable metals in group 12, zinc and mercury. Similar to zinc, it prefers oxidation state +2 in most of its compounds and similar to mercury it shows a low...
is an extremely toxic metal commonly found in industrial workplaces, particularly where any ore is being processed or smelted. Several deaths from acute exposure have occurred among welder
Welder
A welder is a tradesman who specializes in welding materials together. The materials to be joined can be metals or varieties of plastic or polymer...
s who have unsuspectingly welded on cadmium-containing alloys or with silver solder
Solder
Solder is a fusible metal alloy used to join together metal workpieces and having a melting point below that of the workpiece.Soft solder is what is most often thought of when solder or soldering are mentioned and it typically has a melting range of . It is commonly used in electronics and...
s.
Hexavalent chromium
Forms of hexavalent chromiumHexavalent chromium
Hexavalent chromium refers to chemical compounds that contain the element chromium in the +6 oxidation state. Virtually all chromium ore is processed via hexavalent chromium, specifically the salt sodium dichromate. Approximately of hexavalent chromium were produced in 1985...
can be toxic. Calcium chromate
Calcium chromate
Calcium chromate is a bright yellow solid. It normally occurs as the dihydrate.-Properties:Calcium chromate loses water at 200 °C. Calcium chromate reacts with organic matter or reducing agents to form chromium. Calcium chromate will react explosively with hydrazine...
, chromium trioxide
Chromium trioxide
Chromium trioxide is the inorganic compound with the formula CrO3. It is the acidic anhydride of chromic acid, and is sometimes marketed under the same name.This compound is a dark-red/orange brown solid, which dissolves in water concomitant with hydrolysis...
, lead chromate, strontium chromate, and zinc chromate
Zinc chromate
Zinc chromate, ZnCrO4, is a chemical compound containing the chromate anion, appearing as odorless yellow solid powder. It is used industrially in chromate conversion coatings, having been developed by Ford Motor Company in 1920s...
are known human carcinogen
Carcinogen
A carcinogen is any substance, radionuclide, or radiation that is an agent directly involved in causing cancer. This may be due to the ability to damage the genome or to the disruption of cellular metabolic processes...
s. An increase in the incidence of lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
has been observed among workers in industries that produce chromate and manufacture pigments containing chromate.
Lead
Occupational exposure to leadLead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
is one of the most prevalent overexposures. Industries with high potential exposures include construction work, most smelter operations, radiator
Radiator
Radiators are heat exchangers used to transfer thermal energy from one medium to another for the purpose of cooling and heating. The majority of radiators are constructed to function in automobiles, buildings, and electronics...
-repair shops, and firing ranges.