heavy metals and their toxicity- jaideep sarkar

8/3/2019 Heavy Metals and Their Toxicity- Jaideep Sarkar

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HEAVY METALS POISONING AND

HEAVY METAL ANTAGONISTS

By-

Jaideep Sarkar

B.Pharm.

IV Year


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INTRODUCTION

Heavy metals are chemical elements that have aspecific gravity (a measure of density) at least five

times that of water . Metals differ from other toxic

substances in that they are neither created nor

destroyed by humans. Therefore, they tend to

accumulate in the soils, seawater, freshwater, and

sediments. Metals are probably the oldest toxins

known to human. Heavy metal poisoning couldresult, for instance, from drinking-water

contamination (e.g. lead pipes), high ambient air

concentrations near emission sources, or intake via

the food chain . Heavy metals are dangerous because

they tend to bio accumulate. Bioaccumulation

means an increase in the concentration of chemical

in a biological organism over time, compared to thechemical's concentration in the environment.

Compounds accumulate in living things any time they

are taken up and stored faster than they are broken

down (metabolized) or excreted . Heavy metals can

enter a water supply by industrial and consumer

waste, or even from acidic rain breaking down soils

and releasing heavy metals into streams, lakes, rivers,

and groundwater.


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The environmental metals of greatest concern are lead, mercury, arsenic, and

cadmium


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CLASSIFICATION

Heavy metals of concern are

Lead

Mercury

Arsenic

Cadmium

Exert there toxic effects by combining with one or more reactive groups(Ligands) essential for normal physiological functions.

Heavy metals may react in the body with-

Ligands containing Oxygen- -OH, -COO

-

Ligand containing Sulphur- -SH

Ligand containing Nitrogen- -NH2


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In the past lead paint was available for use in homes, and leadpipes and/or lead solder. As a result people can be exposed to leadon a daily basis; this exposure is a major paediatric concern

Mercury is a contaminant of our water ways. Humans are exposedto mercury in the fish they eat as well as in the amalgam fillings intheir teeth.

Arsenic is found naturally in high concentration in drinking waterin various parts of the world.

Cadmium has been classified as a known human carcinogen.

Heavy metals (HM) exert their toxic effects by combining withone or more reactive groups (ligands) essential for normalphysiological functions.

NICKEL: Butter , food processing, fuel oil combustion,

hydrogenated fats and oils, imitation whipped cream,, margarine, nuclear device testing, oysters, stainless steel cookware,

tea, tobacco smoke

COPPER: birth control pills,, copper cookware, copper IUDs,copper pipes, dental alloys

IRON: drinking water, iron cookware, iron pipes, welding,. foods:blackstrap molasses


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Heavy Metal Poisoning Signs and

Symptoms

Muscle tics or twitches

Muscle tremors

Night sweats

Parasites

Prone to mood swings

Prone to rashes

Sensitive teeth

Sensitive to smells like tobacco smoke, perfumes,paint fumes and chemical odours

Skin problems

Small black spots on your gums

Sore or receding gums

Tingling in the extremities

Unsteady gait

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

Many of the above toxicity symptoms are also signsthat you could have developed any number ofhealth conditions including autoimmune disease,liver and kidney disease, Crohn's disease, ChronicFatigue Syndrome, colitis, Irritable BowelSyndrome, fibromyalgia, Leaky Gut Syndrome, andneuromuscular disorders.

Alcohol intolerance

Allergies (environmental and food sensitivities)

Anxious and irritable

Brain fog

Cannot lose weight

Chronic unexplained pain

Coated tongue

Cold hands and feet

Dark circles under the eyes

Depression

Digestive problems

Extreme fatigue

Frequent colds and flus

Headaches

High levels of toxic metals in your blood, urine ortissues

Insomnia

Intolerance to medications & vitamins

Loss of memory and forgetfulness

Low body temperature

Metallic taste in mouth

Muscle and joint pain


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DIAGNOSIS

Test Yourself For Toxic Metals

A hair analysis is a good alternative way ofdetermining what toxic metals are present in thebody. In addition, it also measures the levels ofessential minerals in the body, such as calcium,magnesium and zinc. This test can provide youwith much-needed information about your body

A chelation challenge test needs to be performedby a doctor who specializes in chelation therapy.The patient is given a chelating drug, commonlyDMPS or DMSA, and the patient's urine iscollected and analyzed over a 24 hour period.


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Hair Tissue Mineral Analyses (HTMA)

The reason hair is used for testing mineralstatus and metabolic activity is because of itvery nature. Our hair is formed from clusters

of specialized cells that make up the hairfollicle. During the growth phase, the hair isexposed to the interal environment such asblood, lymph and extra-cellular fluids. As thehair continues to grow and reaches the surfaceof the skin, its outer layers harden, locking inthe metabolic products accumulated during theperiod of formation. This biological processsrovides a blue rint and lastin record of


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The Comprehensive Hair Analysis

Each hair analysis contains a detailed 10-15

page report from the laboratory itself, which

shows bar graph readings indicating high, low

and reference range levels for toxic metals,

essential minerals and significant mineral

ratios. It also includes a metabolic profile,

recommendations for diet and supplementsbased on individual results


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MANAGEMENT

A. NON DRUG

1) Bentonite clay is an effective detox for heavy metal.It can be ingested or used as a bath soak. This clayworks through both adsorption and absorption,

similar words that describe different actions.Adsorption resembles chelation with its action ofusing negative charged ions to draw positive charged

toxins into bonding. Absorption is a sponge likesoaking up of toxins.

2) Activated charcoal also works mostly through

adsorption, not absorption. Activated charcoal is anextremel fine owder and different than ordinar


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B. DRUG

Chelating Agents

1) An agent frequently used in chelation therapy is dimercaprol (also known

as BAL or British Anti-Lewisite). Oral chelating agents used as

alternatives to BAL are 2,3-demercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA),

dimercaptopropanesulfonate (DMPS)

2) D- penicillamine It forms tight chelates with copper, lead, mercury, and

zinc. An advantage of this chelator is that it is well absorbed from the GI

tract after oral administration. Penicillamine is often given for long-term

treatment of chronic metal poisoning, after the patient has been removed

from immediate danger. (i.e. CaNa2EDTA - lead; BAL - mercury)

3) Deferoxamine, is often used to chelate iron.


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REFERENCES

http://www.alternative-doctor.com/anti-

ageing/heavy_metal.html

http://www.jigsawhealth.com/resources/heavy-

metal-toxicity

http://www.jigsawhealth.com/resources/heavy-

metal-toxicity-symptoms

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/814960-overview

http://medical-

dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/heavy+metal+p

oisoning

heavy metals and their toxicity- jaideep sarkar

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