Lead…The Hidden Heart Toxin

You may think lead exposure is a thing of the past, after all, it was mitigated in the 1970s, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case, and it can sneak in where you least expect it. If you live in an older home, purchase items that are made in other countries, shoot guns, go fishing, wear jewelry or use batteries, you may encounter hidden lead.

Mineral Confusion

Lead looks very similar to magnesium and potassium which is why it can “confuse” cell receptors. If these two minerals are prevented from engaging with their proper place at the cellular level, dysfunction occurs. You may have lead toxicity or simply an overexposure to lead causing nutrient deficiency.

Lead and Heart Disease

Lead’s impact on heart health can be significant. The following concerns may be attributed to chronic lead exposure.

• Elevated Blood pressure
  • Lead may cause hypertension by disrupting nitric oxide availability and increasing renin and angiotensin production.
  • It also interferes with the action of calcium (a mineral that is highly involved with blood pressure regulation and various other bodily functions).

• Elevated Lipids and Cholesterol
  • May increase risk of cardiovascular disease

• Promotes Atherosclerosis

• Elevated CRP (C-Reactive Protein)
  • Associated with inflammatory diseases

• High Homocysteine Levels
  • An amino acid found in those with heart disease, blood clots, cancer, and dementia
  • Is also an indicator for mitochondrial dysfunction

Menopause and Lead

Bone density is a common concern for women in this stage of life. Ironically enough, lead is stored in the bone and is released when bone deterioration occurs. Based on the information above, we know that lead floating around the body can increase blood pressure. This could be a reason hypertension in women seems to increase after menopause.

Neurological Impact

This is a very personal topic for me. My father passed away from a brain disorder called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. At that time, I was a conventional medical doctor and it never occurred to me to test him for heavy metals.

Lead, and many other heavy metals, cause neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis- aka Lou Gehrig’s disease), and Parkinson’s disease.

Infants and children are  even more susceptible to neurological conditions due to their developing brains. Lead exposure in children can affect IQ, cause learning disabilities and behavior conditions like ADHD and anxiety.

Take Action

You have a ton of options at your disposal to start eliminating lead from your body and environment. Here are tools at your disposal:

1. Triple Toxin Test Panel: Evaluate your toxin level exposure

2. Detox Starter Kit: Remove toxins from your body

3. Water Filtration System: Remove lead and other toxins from your drinking

water.

**Before making any extreme health decisions, talk to a professional. Our health coaches are happy to help you on your journey. Schedule a free consultation today!