Masters of Health Magazine August 2019 | Page 117

In Harmony with Nature

DEPRESSION, DIET, & BEHAVIOR

Part 3

by Lady Carla Davis, MPH

Specializing in Nutrition

METALS

Metals in the human body can be essential nutrients (e.g. cobalt, magnesium, zinc), relatively harmless (e.g. ruthenium, silver, Indium), or highly poisonous (e.g. aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury). Some metals (e.g. copper, calcium, chromium, iron) are both vital nutrients in balance and also harmful when out of balance or in excess. Hence, maintaining a balance is the key.

Metals are defined by their density, atomic weight/number, or behavior in the body. Exposure to poisonous metals can do a lot of damage to nerve cells, including the brain. Yet, testing for metal contamination is rarely done by the medical profession unless it is specifically requested. And, unless testing is done quickly after exposure, blood tests are generally not reliable. This is because most metals are quickly removed from the blood and relocated into other parts of the body, such as the organs, nerve cells, and bones where they create havoc. Hence, the cause of various diseases, such as depression and mental illness, are rarely addressed or properly treated. In turn, the patient is never cured, but rather treated with costly drugs that often have serious long-term consequences.

Below are some common metals that are prevalent in our environment and a brief of the various problems associated with them as they relate to the nervous system, depression, behavior, and brain function. Reference: http://arltma.com/Mineral_Information/index.html

Aluminum (Al)

•blocks the action and potential electrical discharge of nerve cells, reducing nervous system activity.

•inhibits important enzymes in the brain such as NA-K-ATPase and hexokinase.

•inhibits the uptake of important chemicals by nerve cells, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine.

•reduces intestinal activity, which can lead to colic and IBS.

Early symptoms of AL toxicity: Flatulence, headaches, colic, dryness of skin and mucus membranes, tendency for colds, burning pain in head relieved by food, heartburn and an aversion to meat.