We are still discovering how various everyday chemicals affect life forms of all kinds, including us. A subset of this investigation looks at heavy metals, a term adopted with the study of minerals such as lead and mercury, both of which are denser than iron and have high environmental concern.
Since then “heavy metal” has come to mean any mineral, regardless of density, that is of environmental concern. By now we’re all familiar with some of these as they relate to, for instance, eating fish. For the most part it seems that people are aware heavy metals are bad, but do not know exactly why. There’s a definite gap between “should you eat mercury?” and “why not?”
It turns out that one of the reasons is something with acute familiarity in our part of the world: cancer.
The concept of a link between specific heavy metals and cancer is not new. From the outset it has been difficult to prove a direct link, but recent research has shown significant concentrations of heavy metals in malignant tumours versus normal tissue. In one particular study lung tissue samples from patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) contained enough cadmium and arsenic that the researchers suggested further study is warranted, especially in smokers versus non-smokers. (Smoking is an effective way to deliver heavy metals into the body.)
It is, of course, one thing to say that two dots exist on a page. It is another to draw a line and say that one exists because of the other.
There is, however, research showing those two dots on the same page often enough that it is difficult to say they are not related. The tough-to-prove direct, causal link would be information worth its weight in gold, but what we know about heavy metals should be more than enough to conclude that it is a negative presence in cancerous or pre-cancerous states.
Heavy metals have a direct impact by inflicting oxidative damage in the body and even causing genetic mutation, both huge contributors to cancer. They also have a significant indirect impact on the body’s ability to neutralize and clear other toxins by putting undue stress on the liver. This wonderful organ can only process so much at a time. Lots of heavy metals may be holding up the line.
At some point the question of what heavy metals do or do not cause is moot. No matter how you look at it, you do not want heavy metals in your body, especially if it is already dealing with cancer and the side effects of treatment.
Checking for heavy metals has a long history and is simple as can be. The results show specific levels of different heavy metals in the body, enabling treatment to be precise. Very little is involved on the patient’s part.
If a test shows that heavy metals are a problem the best answer is chelation therapy. Much like penicillin, chelation therapy started as an accident that yielded a substance of extraordinary benefit. The search for a water softener in the early 30’s yielded EDTA, which eventually proved to be effective in treating lead poisoning.
Since then several chemicals have, through accident or design, shown to be particularly successful in treating specific kinds of heavy metal poisoning. Which one to use, and in conjunction with what other treatments, dietary changes, supplements, and so on, depends on your situation. Whatever the case, we will tailor everything to your needs.
Whether your goal is optimizing your health, mitigating the risk of cancer, or increasing time spent in remission, chelation may be a big part of reaching it. Contact us to find out if it’s the best thing for you.
It is important to note that chelation therapy, like any medical procedure, carries benefits and risks. The Nardella Clinic assesses all patients to ensure that the treatment they receive is as effective and safe as possible.
