Heavy Metal Toxicity

Why it works: Proposed mechanisms (mostly preclinical): Extracts of cilantro contain phenolic acids, flavonoids, and fatty-acid–rich oils that can (a) bind metal ions in vitro and in animals (“c...

Instructions: If you’re simply looking to include cilantro as a culinary herb (which is generally safe for most people) while you work with a clinician on exposure reduction and, if indicated, c...

Warnings: Do not delay proven care. Suspected poisoning (e.g., high blood lead, acute mercury exposure) warran...

Studies: Animal / lab studies suggesting possible benefitMice (heated...

Why it works: Sulfur compounds can bind metals. Garlic’s organosulfur molecules (e.g., allicin, diallyl disulfide, S-allyl-cysteine) present thiol/sulfhydryl chemistry that can complex with soft...

Instructions: Lead (human RCT):. • Preparation/dose: garlic providing allicin 1,200 µg three times daily (TID) for 4 weeks vs. d-penicillamine 250 mg TID. Medscape Reference. • Monitoring: blood...

Warnings: Not a stand-alone treatment when chelation is indicated. Do not delay or replace standard medical th...

Studies: Randomized Clinical Trial (lead):“Comparison of therapeutic...

Why it works: Biologic rationale (what it does):. • Selenium is required to make selenoproteins (e.g., glutathione peroxidases, thioredoxin reductases, selenoprotein P) that help limit oxidative...

Instructions: 1) Arsenic (chronic exposure). Two approaches have been tested:. Supplemental sodium selenite. • Dose used in trials: 200 µg elemental Se per day (as sodium selenite), oral, typica...

Warnings: Not a substitute for medical treatment of poisoning. Standard guidance for heavy metals prioritizes...

Studies: Arsenic (most human RCT data):Vitamin E + selenium RCT (Bang...

Why it works: Copper (Wilson disease): Zinc taken orally induces intestinal metallothionein, a protein that preferentially binds copper. This traps dietary (and salivary) copper in enterocytes s...

Instructions: Formulation: Prescription zinc acetate (e.g., GALZIN®) is the best-studied and regulator-approved product for Wilson disease. FDA Access Data. Typical adult dose: 50 mg elemental z...

Warnings: Copper deficiency risk: Doses ≥50 mg/day of zinc taken for weeks can impair copper absorption, poten...

Studies: Mechanistic & clinical evidence in Wilson diseaseClassic...

Why it works: Hepatoprotection & antioxidant effects. Silymarin/silibinin scavenges reactive oxygen species, increases cellular antioxidant defenses (e.g., glutathione), and activates the Nrf2 p...

Instructions: There is no approved regimen for treating heavy-metal poisoning with milk thistle. If it’s used at all in this context, it should be considered adjunctive (e.g., for liver support)...

Warnings: Do not self-treat metal poisoning with milk thistle. Suspected or confirmed significant exposure war...

Studies: Available evidence is preclinical (cell/animal) and shows or...

Why it works: Eccrine sweat contains measurable amounts of several toxic metals (not just water and salt). Across multiple analyses of blood, urine, and sweat, lead and cadmium in particular wer...

Instructions: Sauna (Finnish dry or infrared). • Session length & frequency (general health research): Start with 5–10 minutes and build to 15–20 minutes per session, commonly 3–4 days per week,...

Warnings: Use heat/sweat strategies only with medical guidance if you have any medical conditions or known/pos...

Studies: BUS study (Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 2011): In 20 partici...

Why it works: Mechanism (in the gut, not the blood): Clinoptilolite is a microporous aluminosilicate with a negatively charged lattice that adsorbs and ion-exchanges positively charged metal ion...

Instructions: When co-ingesting with a suspect source (e.g., lead in water/food):. The RCT used purified clinoptilolite (G-PUR®) 2.0 g or 2×2.0 g mixed in water and taken with the lead tracer. T...

Warnings: Not a replacement for chelation when indicated: Suspected or confirmed heavy-metal poisoning (e.g.,...

Studies: Human studiesLead absorption RCT (2021, Scientific Reports):...

Why it works: It can bind metals in the gut. Chlorella’s cell wall polysaccharides and surface functional groups adsorb metal ions in vitro (e.g., mercury, cadmium, lead, thallium, cesium). This...

Instructions: There is no universally accepted medical protocol for chlorella as a metal-detox therapy. Practical guidance draws from published human studies and supplement reviews:. Product for...

Warnings: Not a substitute for chelation when indicated. For clinically significant exposures (e.g., elevated...

Studies: Methylmercury (human):Open-label clinical trial — 9 g/day ch...

Why it works: Diuretic & “flushing” actions (traditional use): European regulators recognize dandelion (leaf and/or root) for increasing urine output and as an adjuvant for urinary flushing in m...

Instructions: There are no evidence-based dosing instructions for heavy-metal detox. If someone chooses to use dandelion root for its traditional indications (digestion, appetite stimulation; ge...

Warnings: Authoritative sources give the following cautions for dandelion products (root/leaf/whole plant):. •...

Studies: Human trials: None showing dandelion root (or leaf) treats h...

Why it works: Mechanism (theory): Smectite clays have a large surface area, negative layer charge, and cation-exchange capacity that can adsorb positively charged metal ions. This is well establ...

Instructions: There is no standard, evidence-based clinical protocol for treating heavy-metal toxicity in humans with bentonite clay. Where human dosing is documented, it’s from mycotoxin trials...

Warnings: Not a substitute for chelation: For confirmed poisoning (elevated blood levels/symptoms), standard-o...

Studies: In vitro / model data: Acid-processed montmorillonite can ti...