Certain metals are considered toxic because they can be irritating, especially at higher concentrations.
Halogens are non-metal substances. These three halogens are inherently toxic, but are also detrimental because they tend to block the body’s iodine receptors.
These substances come in two forms: bioavailable (which our bodies need) and biounavailable (which can’t be utilized, and builds up in tissues and organs). With an imbalance, there’s either not enough of the bioavailable form or too much of the biounavailable form.
Aluminum
Sources
- aluminum cookware (uncoated)
- drying agent added to cocoa
- prepared foods made with tap water
- aluminum cans
- antacids (eg. Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids)
- antiperspirants (including “natural crystal” and “deodorant stones”)
- baking powder
- cosmetics (most use aluminum as a base)
- dry animal feeds are contaminated with aluminum
- peppermint
- spearmint and wintergreen (naturally high levels)
- table salt (aluminum is often added as an anti-caking agent)
- tap water (aluminum causes dirt to settle out of the water)
- vaccines (used as an adjuvant in some)
Symptoms of Excess
Early symptoms:
- dryness of skin and mucous membranes
- flatulence
- headaches
- loss of memory and mental confusion
- reduced sweating
- some dementias
- tendencies for burning pain in head relieved by food
Later symptoms:
- Alzheimer’s disease, other dementias
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- anemia
- colitis
- dental cavities
- kidney and liver dysfunction
- neuromuscular disorders
- Parkinson’s disease
Arsenic
Sources
- beer
- cosmetics
- drinking water
- fish (some)
- fungicides
- glass-making
- insecticides
- paints
- pesticide residues
- pesticides
- pigments
- rat poison
- rice (some)
- table salt
- used in tanning leather and to preserve some wood
Symptoms
- abdominal pain
- anorexia
- dermatitis
- diarrhea
- edema
- fever
- hair loss
- headache
- herpes
- impaired healing
- jaundice
- keratosis
- kidney damage
- muscle spasms
- pallor
- sore throat
- stupor
- vertigo
- weakness
Bromine
Sources
- agriculture chemicals
- fire retardants
- inhalers
- insecticides
- nasal sprays
- various pharmaceuticals
- some flours
- swimming pools (some)
Symptoms
- cardiovascular system problems
- dizziness
- headaches
- nausea
- nervous system issues
- skin irritation
- thyroid dysfunction
Cadmium
Sources
- air pollution: incineration of rubber tires
- cigarette and marijuana smoke
- coffee (instant)
- cola drinks
- dental materials
- fish (cod and haddock)
- fish (large ones, such as tuna)
- food grown on cadmium-contaminated soil
- occupational exposure: battery manufacture
- plastic and paints
- processed meats
- refined and processed foods
- semiconductors
- tap water
Symptoms
- atherosclerosis
- bone pain
- cancer
- damages all body organs
- diabetes
- heart failure
- hypertension
- hypoglycemia
- impaired circulation
- kidney failure
- loss of sense of taste
- mental illness
- migraine headaches
- osteoporosis
- psoriasis
- tendon problems
- tends to harden and inflame the arteries leading to arteriosclerosis
- wound healing delayed
Chlorine
Sources
- bleaching of paper and clothing
- chlorine bleach
- household cleaning products
- rubber manufacturing
- solvents
- swimming pools
- tap water
Symptoms
- asthma
- bladder problems
- food allergies
- nausea
- pulmonary oedema
- skin conditions
- thyroid dysfunction
- wheezing
Chromium
Sources
- glass cleaner
- industrial use
- manufacture of stainless steel (hexavalent chromium)
- tanning leather
- water supply (sometimes, due to industry)
- welding
- wood finishing (some)
Symptoms of Deficiency of Bioavailable Form
- atherosclerosis
- diabetes
- elevated cholesterol levels
- fatigue
- hypoglycemia
Symptoms of Excess
- anemia
- blood clotting issues
- fatigue
- kidney disease
- liver dysfunction
- cardiovascular issues
- weight loss
- lung and respiratory problems
- gastrointestinal issues
- irregular heart rhythm
- low blood sugar
Cobalt
Sources
Food:
- apricots
- beans
- beer
- beets
- cabbage
- chocolate
- cloves
- cocoa
- coffee
- condiments
- dairy products (eg. milk)
- fish
- liver
- nuts
- oils
- scallops
- shellfish
- sugar
- tea
- whole grain flour
Non-food:
- antiperspirants
- coloured glass, porcelain, ceramics, pottery, and enamels
- crayons (green and blue)
- dental plates
- hair dyes
- metal prostheses
- metal-plated objects (eg. buckles, buttons, zippers, snaps, utensils, tools)
- paints and varnishes (some)
- watercolours (green and blue
Symptoms of Deficiency of Bioavailable Form
- pernicious anemia (deficiency of B12)
Symptoms of Excess of Biounavailable Form
- asthma
- cardiovascular problems
- dermatitis
- eczema
- fluid-filled blisters on soles of feet and/or palms of hands (dyshidrotic eczema)
- heart muscle damage
- hives
- itching
- itchy bumps on the elbows
- nervous system issues
- overproduction of red blood cells
- reduced fertility in men
- thyroid problems
Copper
Bioavailable copper is an essential trace mineral that is vitally important for both physical and mental health.
Biounavailable (also referred to as “free” or ”unbound”) copper can’t be utilized, and begins to build up in tissues and its “target organs”, which are the liver, brain and reproductive organs. With an imbalance, there’s either not enough bioavailable copper or too much biounavailable copper.
Sources
- avocado
- birth control pills
- chocolate
- compounds added to swimming pools
- copper cookware
- copper intrauterine devices
- copper sulfate added to drinking water
- copper water pipes
- kidney (animal source)
- liver (animal source)
- mineral supplements (especially pre‐natal vitamins)
- some nuts
- stress
- vegetarian diets
- weakened adrenal glands
- wheat germ and bran
Physical Symptoms of Imbalance
- acne
- adrenal insufficiency
- all skin conditions
- allergies
- alopecia
- anemia
- anorexia
- arthritis
- autism
- cancer
- connective tissue problems of all kinds
- diabetes
- elevated cholesterol
- epilepsy or seizures
- estrogen imbalance
- fatigue
- hair and nail conditions
- hyperthyroidism
- infections
- inflammation
- insomnia
- migraine headaches
- multiple sclerosis
- myocardial infarction
- nausea
- premenstrual tension
- scoliosis
- tooth decay
- urinary tract infections
Mental/Emotional Symptoms of Imbalance
- anxiety (most cases)
- bipolar disorder
- depression
- fears
- mind racing
- mood swings
- panic attacks
- schizophrenia
- spaciness
Fluoride
Sources
- fluoridated drinking water
- fluoride treatments done in the dental office
- fruit juices and all foods processed with tap water
- mouth wash
- toothpaste
Symptoms of Excess
- birth defects
- bone diseases
- brown discoloration and brittleness of teeth
- cancer
- hip and other fractures
- hypothyroidism
- lowered IQ
- neuromuscular conditions
Iron
Sources
- Irish moss and green vegetables (although the iron is not utilized as well from vegetables)
- Kelp
- molasses
- organ meats
- red meats
- vitamin and mineral supplements (especially pre-natal vitamins)
- enriched white flour products
Symptoms of Deficiency of Bioavailable Form
- anemia
- brittle or ridged nails
- decreased resistance
- dizziness
- fatigue
- low blood pressure
- pallor
- slow oxidation
- weakness
Symptoms of Excess of Biounavailable Form
- anger
- arthritis
- cancer
- cirrhosis of the liver
- diabetes
- emotional problems
- hemochromatosis
- hemosiderosis
- high blood pressure
- iron deposits in organs
- liver disease
- myasthenia gravis
- schizophrenia
Lead
Sources
- cigarette smoke
- coloured inks
- food cans soldered with lead
- lead arsenate and other pesticides
- lead-based paints
- leaded glazes on ceramic plates from other nations
- manufacture of batteries
- mine smelting industries
- some hair dyes and some lipsticks
- tap water (especially from wells with lead-soldered pipes or other contamination)
Symptoms of Excess
- abnormal brain function
- alopecia
- anxiety
- arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
- atherosclerosis (plaque buildup)
- blindness
- cancer
- colic
- constipation
- convulsions
- deafness
- diabetes
- dyslexia
- encephalitis
- epilepsy
- hypoglycemia
- hypothyroidism
- infertility
- insomnia
- mood swings
- multiple sclerosis
- muscular dystrophy
- nightmares
- Parkinson’s disease
- poor concentration
- psychotic behavior
- spontaneous abortions
- vertigo
- weight loss
Manganese
Sources
- used in some blue, purple, and green oil paint
- potassium permanganate
- used in industry, grinding shovels, blades, construction equipment may release it
- used in dry cell batteries
- some water supplies
- gasoline fumes
Symptoms of Deficiency of Bioavailable Form
- allergies
- diabetes
- dizziness
- fatigue
- hypoglycemia
- muscle weakness
- osteoporosis
- tinnitus
Symptoms of Excess of Biounavailable Form
- anxiety
- depression
- emotional instability
- fatigue tremors
- headaches
- insomnia
- liver problems
- memory loss
- weight issues
Mercury
Sources
- adhesives
- contact lens solution
- dental amalgams
- fabric softener
- fish (all)
- manufactures of paper
- medications-diuretics
- occupational exposure‐felt
- Preparation H
- vaccines (certain ones, in the form of thimerosal)
Symptoms of Excess
- ataxia
- birth defects
- depression
- dizziness
- hair loss
- hearing loss
- insomnia
- migraine headaches
- mood swings
- most mental illness
- muscle weakness
- neuromuscular diseases (eg. multiple sclerosis)
- nervousness
- numbness and tingling in arms and legs
- pain in limbs
- rashes
- tremors
- vision loss
Nickel
Sources
- batteries
- beans
- chocolate
- cigarette smoke
- electrical parts
- herring
- hydrogenated vegetable oils
- imitation whip cream
- lentils
- machine parts
- manufactures of steel
- margarine
- nickel plating (i.e. jewellery)
- nuts
- oysters
- peanut butter (commercially made)
- seeds
- tea
- vegan and vegetarian diets
- vegetable shortening
Symptoms of Excess
- constipation
- dermatitis
- diarrhea
- digestive issues
- dry skin
- eczema
- hair loss
- heart attack
- hemorrhages
- intestinal cancer
- kidney dysfunction
- low blood pressure
- malaise
- muscle tremors
- nausea
- oral cancer
- skin problems
- tetany and paralysis
- vomiting
Selenium
Sources
- Brazil nuts
- overdosing on selenium supplements
- selenite form of selenium
Symptoms of Deficiency of Bioavailable Form
- digestive issues
- hypothyroid
- liver problems
- reproductive problems
- trouble detoxifying mercury
- weakness
Symptoms of Excess of Biounavailable Form
- alterations in mental status
- anemia
- digestive issues
- garlic smell to the breath
- hair loss
- liver damage
- numbness or tingling of the feet or hands
- weight loss