Heavy metals are metallic elements with a high density and atomic weight. They have a wide environmental distribution due to their wide application in various sectors such as industry, agriculture, and medical. The large distribution of these metals has raised concern over their toxic effects on human health and the environment in general.
Heavy metal toxicity, also known as heavy metal poisoning, results due to the accumulation of these metals in the soft tissues of the human body. The signs and symptoms observed in patients having heavy metal poisoning vary depending on the type of metal involved. The most common metals that are associated with poisoning include mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmium.
Types of Heavy Metal Poisoning
Arsenic Poisoning
Arsenic metal has various applications in the industrial sector. Exposure to high levels of this heavy metal may present with different symptoms such as a headache, drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, and seizures. Neurological symptoms such as brain damage and nerve disease of the extremities may also present. Skin conditions such as edema due to the accumulation of fluids in the tissues below the skin may also be seen. Gastrointestinal symptoms include gastroenteritis, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The patient may also become anemic due to increased breakdown of hemoglobin through hemolysis.
Cadmium Poisoning
The various applications of cadmium metal include electroplating, storage batteries, and vapor lamps. Symptoms may present between two to four hours after exposure to the heavy metal. Overexposure to this metal causes symptoms such as a headache, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
The patient may also experience symptoms related to emphysema and pulmonary edema which refers to an accumulation of fluids in the lung. Cadmium poisoning can also cause yellowing of the teeth, increased salivation, and cyanosis of the skin. The patient is also likely to become anemic due to low levels of iron in the blood.
Lead Poisoning
The population that is at risk of getting lead poisoning includes battery plant workers, welders, and soldiers. Once it is ingested, it accumulates in the bone. However, its toxicity can affect any organ in the body. The symptoms of lead exposure will vary depending on the level of the exposure.
Children that are exposed to lead may appear less cheerful, irritable, and sluggish in whatever they do. Other symptoms include headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, and anorexia. Lead poisoning may also lead to the dysfunction of the renal system. Neurological symptoms of lead poisoning include ataxia, brain damage, seizures, and swelling of the optic nerve.
Mercury Poisoning
Mercury is used by chemical workers and dental assistants. Mercury poisoning presents with fatigue, depression, headaches, and irritability. The heavy metal can affect various organs in the body including the kidneys, brain, lungs, and skin. Inhalation of mercury vapors presents with respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, coughing, and chest pain, also known as angina. Some patients may also develop pulmonary edema, pneumonia, and fibrosis. Overexposure to this heavy metal may also result in behavioral and neurological symptoms such as lack of concentration and memory loss.
Heavy metal toxicity is dangerous because it may affect the various organs in the body causing damage. Heavy metal poisoning may damage the central nervous system resulting in different symptoms such as headache, confusion, and dizziness. Other organs that may be affected by heavy metal toxicity include the gastrointestinal system, the neurological system, the renal system, and the respiratory system.
Managing Heavy Metal Poisoning With Cilantro
Cilantro has been proven to help in the removal of heavy metals from the body through chelation. Cilantro is obtained from the leaves of Coriandrum sativum. Cilantro binds to the heavy metals in the body, preventing them from being absorbed. The chelation process has been proven to reduce lead absorption into the bone.
Cilantro can also bind heavy metals in the gut and those circulating in the blood through the bowel wall. The natural supplement has a high affinity to most heavy metals. The supplement can be used as both a mobilizing agent and a chelating agent depending on the dose used. Cilantro is the most recommended food for those needing to detox from heavy metal toxicity.
Cilantro has other benefits that can improve the various symptoms that are experienced in heavy metal poisoning. These health benefits include improvement of liver performance, reduced nausea, and prevention of bloating and gas accumulation in the gut. The natural supplement also adds fiber in the bowel, acting as an effective bulking agent. The activity is important in preventing constipation.
The Top 4 Cilantro Products on the Market
Swanson Premium Cilantro
This product has been used historically to improve gastrointestinal system health. It is known to get rid of neurotoxic agents such as heavy metals from the body and is a full spectrum herb formula. The product’s price varies depending on its dosage quantity. The 100mg bottle is sold at $9.99 while the 400mg bottle is sold at $10.99. The smallest bottle contains 10mg of cilantro and it is sold at $5.99. Customers who have used the product left positive comments about it and reported the intention to keep using it.
Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant
This cilantro product is claimed to have the ability to clear the skin and brighten it. It creates a protection against potential environmental pollution that may have harmful effects on the skin and also claims to prevent premature aging. The product is available in a 75ml bottle for 28 Euros and has many loyal customers who have been using it since it was first invented.
The Real Thing – Cilantro
This product is a multipurpose remedy. It is packaged in a 20ml bottle. The cilantro that is included in this product has a high detoxifying power. The active ingredient gets into the cell from where it mobilizes mercury accumulated in the cells. Other health benefits include antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cholesterol effects. Many users of this product claim that it provides the best results when compared to other similar products.
Cilantro in Electrolyte – BioPure
This cilantro product has various health benefits including detoxification, anti-inflammation, blood sugar metabolism, and hormonal support. It comes in a larger quantity than many others and is priced at $50 for a 2-ounce bottle.
