13 Supplements to Detox Heavy Metals (Chlorella and Zeolites?)

chlorella_detox_heavy_metals

Table of Contents

Which Supplements can be used to detox heavy metals?

The following supplements can be used to detox heavy metals:

  1. Glutathione: Works as an antioxidant and protects the body from oxidative damage caused by heavy metals. 
  2. Humic Acid: It works by absorbing and stabilizing heavy metals. 
  3. Cilantro: Cilantro helps to remove mercury from the body. 
  4. Spirulina: Spirulina helps get rid of heavy metals from the brain, central nervous system, and liver.
  5. Modified Citrus pectin: It binds to heavy metals and removes them from the body. 
  6. Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Acts as an antioxidant and removes heavy metals from the body. 
  7. Amino acids: Taurine, Methionine
  8. Selenium
  9. Barley grass juice extract
  10. Wild blueberries
  11. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
  12. Iodine
  13. Activated charcoal: Absorbs heavy metals and transports them out of the body. 

Does Chlorella help detox heavy metals?

Chlorella helps detox heavy metals because it binds to the metal ions and transports them out of the body. Chlorella is a green algae and is considered a heavy metal chelator, Chlorella binds to heavy metals, pesticides, and harmful chemicals. 

A study shows that a green algae supplementation containing Chlorella and Fucus sp for 90 days decreased levels of heavy metals in people wearing titanium dental implants and Amalgam fillings. 

For detox with chlorella, it is suggested to take a single serving at breakfast or lunch in the beginning. The servings can be increased later to increase the detox process.

In the video below, Jordan Rubin shares 10 heavy metal detox strategies to rid your body of these harmful toxins.

This is our recommended Chlorella Supplement (Amazon’s Choice):

Premium Chlorella Supplement by Fresh Healthcare, 1200mg Pure Vegan Powder Capsules, 180 Chlorophyll and CFG Pills, Natural Detox Superfood, Naturally Contains B Vitamins and Minerals

Can you use Zeolites to detox heavy metals?

Zeolites can be used to detox heavy metals because they act as adsorbant, antioxidant, and chelating agents. 

A clinical trial performed with a zeolite known as Clinoptilolite shows that the zeolite suspension increased the removal of toxic heavy metals. The trial was conducted on 11 men aged between 36 to 70 years. The subjects were given zeolite suspension, and the results of trials show that the subjects had higher levels of heavy metals in the urine indicating increased clearance of heavy metals from the body. 

Zeolites can be used to remove heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic from the body.


Can Glutathione help detox heavy metals?

Glutathione can help detox heavy metals because it binds with metal ions and transports them out of the body. Glutathione detox is the body’s main detoxification system and it works with the support of other antioxidants and enzymes. 

Glutathione can help detox mercury, cadmium, and lead. Glutathione can cross the blood-brain barrier and remove heavy metals from the brain as well. 

Glutathione plays an important role in protecting the body from mercury. It prevents mercury from entering the cells, thus preventing it from causing any damage to the enzymes and cells, and transports the mercury out of the body.  


Can you use any Herbs for chelation?

Herbs such as Garlic, Milk Thistle, Cilantro, Ginkgo, Triphala, and Turmeric can be useful for the chelation of heavy metals because they work as chelating agents reducing the bioavailability and absorption of heavy metals. These herbs can also increase the clearance of heavy metals from the body by increasing gastrointestinal movements. 

The interest in herbs for chelation is growing due to the relatively lesser side effects of herbs on the body. 

Herbs can be used to treat poisoning from metals such as arsenic, cadmium, iron, mercury, aluminum, and lead.


What is an oral chelation supplement?

An oral chelation supplement is a supplement that can be taken orally, binds to heavy metals, and removes them from the body. The supplement EDTA is available as an oral chelation supplement for heavy metal poisoning. It has been in use for a long time as an effective therapy to remove heavy metals from the body, however, its effectiveness through the oral route is not well established. 

Also, oral EDTA has much lower bioavailability hence a larger dose than IV is required which may lead to side effects.  

Other supplements that can be taken orally for chelation effect are Hawthrone berry, ginkgo, and ginseng as well as the other herbs and food items that have chelating properties. 


Can Cilantro help to remove heavy metals?

Cilantro can help to remove heavy metals because it works as a chelating agent and binds to heavy metals facilitating their removal from the body. Cilantro is usually taken along with chlorella to enhance the detox effect.

A three-phase treatment is suggested for detox using cilantro and chlorella. A review article describes using cilantro soup to decrease mercury and dental amalgam poisoning. Cilantro is also an important source of selenium which further helps in heavy metal detox.

Cilantro exerts a faster action, within 20 minutes. But it is advised to use cilantro along with another chelating agent to create an effective detox treatment. 


What can remove heavy metals from the body?

Various food items, herbs, and supplements can remove heavy metals from the body.

Food Items:

  • Tomato
  • Curry
  • Atlantic dulse
  • Wild blueberry
  • Grapefruit
  • Avocado
  • Kale
  • Brocolli
  • Beet

Herbs:

  • Cilantro
  • Garlic
  • Spirulina
  • Green tea
  • Chlorella
  • Turmeric
  • Milk Thistle
  • Triphala
  • Barley grass juice 

Supplements:

  • EDTA
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E

These food items, herbs, and supplements can act as chelating agents, decrease bioavailability, and increase the clearance of heavy metals. Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, aluminum, and cadmium can be detoxed using herbs and food items. Vitamins such as E and C can remove the free radicals from the body and avoid oxidative damage caused due to heavy metals. 

As well a medical treatment can remove heavy metals from the body in case of poisoning.


Can Iodine detox heavy metals?

Iodine can detox heavy metals because it works as a chelating agent, binds to heavy metals, and remove them from the body. Iodine can be used to detox aluminum, mercury, lead, and cadmium. 

In a case study, while evaluating the bioavailability of iodine tablets, it was observed that the levels of heavy metals in urine such as lead, mercury, and cadmium increased several times after only one day of supplementation. Suggesting that administration of iodine supplements also increased the clearance of heavy metals. 

To use iodine for detox, it is suggested to add iodine to the diet or simply add foods containing higher levels of iodine. 


Does Alpha Lipoic Acid help with chelation?

Alpha-lipoic acid can help with chelation because it binds with metal ions and helps them transport out of the body. Alpha-lipoic acid works as a chelating agent because it is an organic sulfur compound and metal ions have an affinity toward sulfur-containing compounds. 

Alpha-lipoic acid is a water and fat-soluble compound and can cross the blood-brain barrier. 

It is specifically useful for mercury toxicity. 

Alpha-lipoic acid is also a strong antioxidant and decreases oxidative stress caused due to heavy metal poisoning. 

Alpha-lipoic acid helps to remove toxic heavy metals from the liver and also supports antioxidants in the detox process.


What is the dosage of DMSA for chelation?

According to a review, the most efficient dosage of DMSA for chelation was 30mg/ kg/ day. The dose was enough to significantly decrease the blood levels of lead and increase the lead excretion in patients suffering from lead poisoning. 

The optimal duration of treatment with DMSA was 5 days, however, the duration can be prolonged in the event of severe lead poisoning. 

A higher dosage of DMSA in pregnant women can lead to fetal abnormalities, hence the use of DMSA should be avoided during pregnancy. 

DMSA is an FDA-approved pharmaceutical drug product for lead poisoning and should not be treated as a supplement.


Can you use MSM to detox heavy metals?

MSM can be used to detox heavy metals because it increases the permeability of the cell membrane and facilitates chelation therapy by other agents. The increased cell permeability also helps release heavy metals and toxins and enhances the cleansing activity by allowing a higher amount of nutrients and water inside the cell.

MSM is a good source of organic sulfur, and since the heavy metal ions show a high affinity toward sulfur, it works as an excellent chelating agent. 

MSM is especially useful as a detox agent along with other strong chelating agents that have lower permeability and can’t cross the blood-brain barrier. 


Can you use Silica to detox heavy metals?

Silica can be used to detox heavy metals because it effectively captures metal ions from biological fluids and water. Different forms of silica developed by scientists have been used in the detox process. 

A study shows that silica having pores in the nano range was effective in removing heavy metals from the rats. The study shows the four-week treatment with silica in rats resulted in significantly lower levels of mercury and lead in the rat blood. 

A clinical trial involving 4 patients shows an increased level of aluminum excretion after the administration of silica, suggesting its possible use in aluminum poisoning. Studies suggest that porous silica can be used in chelation therapy, and since silica is not absorbed by the cell membrane, it is inert and non-toxic to cells.


Does Coconut Oil remove heavy metals?

Coconut oil may help remove heavy metals with the use of a method known as oil pulling. This method is described in Ayurveda and it hypothesizes that it can activate certain enzymes in saliva. The enzymes can absorb heavy metals and toxins from the bloodstream and the body, which are then excreted through saliva

To use this method, take a tablespoonful of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it in the oral cavity for about 20 minutes. Force the oil between all the teeth and once the oil becomes milky,  spit it out. Rinse your mouth with clean water and perform routine brushing. 


Is Magnesium helpful to detox heavy metals?

Magnesium is helpful to detox heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. Magnesium stimulates cell activity, which causes the release of stored toxins and heavy metals into the bloodstream leading to their excretion. 

A study shows that magnesium supplementation decreased levels of lead and cadmium levels in human hair, suggesting its potential role in detox. 

Sufficient levels of magnesium protect cells from oxidative stress, and the brain from harmful chemicals and toxins. Magnesium is also important for the production of glutathione, which works as an antioxidant and protects the body from oxidative damage. 

Magnesium also improves liver function by protecting it from oxidative stress and metabolic disorders.


Can you use Essential Oils to detox heavy metals?

Essential oils can be useful to detox heavy metals because it stimulates and supports the natural detoxification process of the body. Some essential oils containing citral can stimulate detoxification enzymes and protect the body from toxins. Studies show that essential oils from the Mentha family can chelate iron, suggesting its potential for iron detox. 

The following oils can be used for detox:

  • Lemon
  • Lemongrass
  • Lemon Teatree
  • May chang
  • Oregano
  • Fennel
  • Lavender
  • Grapefruit
  • Orange 
  • Peppermint
  • Ginger
  • Juniper berry
  • Cypress
  • Rosemary
  • Lemon Myrtle
  • Myrrh
  • Clove
  • Bergamot

Essential oils can be inhaled, applied topically, or ingested for detox. It is recommended to speak to your physician before using essential oil for detox if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 


What are the Plants that remove heavy metals from the body?

Here are some plants that can remove heavy metals from the body. Although in many cases plant or seed extracts are used for the detox process instead of a whole plant part.

  • Atlantic red seaweed: For detox of mercury, lead, aluminum, copper, cadmium, and nickel.
  • Barley grass extract powder: Mercury
  • Spirulina: Mercury, lead
  • Wild blueberry: crosses the blood-brain barrier and detoxes the brain.
  • Dandelion: detox spleen, liver, and brain.
  • Burdock root
  • Cilantro: for mercury detox
  • Lemon juice: works as an antioxidant and protects from oxidative damage
  • Beetroot: protects the liver

Through various complex processes such as ion exchange, chelation, adsorption, and ion entrapment plants remove heavy metals from the body.


Does Turmeric remove heavy metals from the body?

Turmeric helps remove heavy metals from the body because an active ingredient of turmeric known as Curcumin works as an antioxidant and chelating agent. Curcumin protects the liver from oxidative damage occurring due to heavy metals. It protects the liver from heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, and chromium. 

A study performed on rats show that curcumin protects the liver from the damage induced by mercury. However, more clinical studies are required before turmeric can be used as a potential agent to protect the liver against heavy metal toxicity. 

Online blogs and forums suggest drinking a drink containing turmeric, ginger, and paper for detox. 


Does Fulvic Acid remove heavy metals?

Fulvic acid can help remove heavy metals because it is a chelating agent that forms complexes with heavy metals and excretes them as waste. Fulvic acid can detox heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and aluminum. Another review suggests that fulvic acid can also decrease oxidative stress

In heavy metal poisoning vitamins and minerals are displaced by heavy metals. Fulvic acid also helps indirectly treat heavy metal poisoning by improving the transport of nutrients and vitamins to the cells increasing their nutritional status. It also increases cell permeability allowing better passage of electrolytes and minerals. 


Does Boron detox heavy metals?

Boron helps detox heavy metals because its antioxidant activity reduces oxidative stress. It also decreases damage to the cell DNA. Boron increases levels of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous that protect against heavy metal toxicity. 

A study demonstrates that when human blood cultures induced with heavy metals were treated with boron, the treatment significantly reduced damage to the DNA as compared to the control.  

To use boron for detox simply dissolve 1/32  to ¼ teaspoon of boron to 1 liter of water. Consume the solution in small dosages throughout the day. If possible a diluted solution of boron can be purchased to use as a detox. 


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Sources

This article makes use of information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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13 Supplements to Detox Heavy Metals (Chlorella and Zeolites?)
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