Aluminum Toxicity - Aluminum Toxicity Symptoms

While aluminum is not a heavy metal, it has been found to be toxic. Because aluminum permeates our air,water, and soil, small amounts are present in our food. The average person consumes between three and ten milligrams of aluminum a day. Only recently has research revealed that aluminum is absorbed and accumulated in the body. Aluminum is a popular metal used to make cookware, cooking utensils, and foil. Excessive use of antacids is the most common cause of aluminum toxicity. Mylanta, Maalox, Glusil, Amphojel, and many others have a high aluminum hydroxide content. Many over-the-counter drugs used for inflammation and pain contain aluminum, including Arthritis Pain Formula, Ascriptin, Bufferin, and Vanquish. Several douche preparations, including Massengil and Summer's Eve, contain aluminum. It is also an additive in most baking powders and is sometimes evident in drinking water.

Many symptoms of aluminum toxicity are similar to those of Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis. Aluminum toxicity can lead to colic, rickets, gastro-intestinal disturbances, poor calcium metabolism, extreme nervousness, anemia, headache, decreased liver and kidney function, forgetfulness, speech disturbances,and memory loss, softening of the bones, and weak, aching muscles. Research suggests that a chronic calcium deficiency may change the way in which the body uses minerals. Bone loss and increased intestinal absorption of aluminum and silicon combine to form compounds that accumulate in the cerebral cortex of the brain. These compounds prevent impulses from being carried to or from the brain.

An accumulation of aluminum salts in the brain has been implicated in seizures and reduced mental faculties. Autopsies performed on Alzheimer's victims revealed that four times the normal amount of aluminum had accumulated in the nerve cells in the brain. This suggests that long-term accumulation of aluminum in the brain may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, an unidentified protein not found in normal brain tissue has been discovered in the the brain tissue of Alzheimer's victims.

Because aluminum is excreted by the kidneys, toxic amount of aluminum may impair kidney function. Working in aluminum smelting plants for long periods can lead to dizziness, impaired coordination, and losses of balance and energy. Accumulations of aluminum in the brain was cited as a possible cause for these symptoms as well.

In addition to aluminum cookware, foil, antacids, baking powders, buffered aspirin, and most city water,aluminum is also used in food processing (pickles and relishes, in particular), antiperspirants, deodorants, beer (especially when in aluminum cans), bleached flour, table salt, tobacco smoke, cram of tartar, Parmesan and grated cheeses, aluminum salts, douches, and canned goods.

Those who enjoy fast foods should be aware that processed cheese has a high aluminum content. The food product having perhaps the highest aluminum content is the cheeseburger. This mineral is added to give processed cheese its melting quality for use on hamburgers.

SUPPLEMENT	SUGGESTED DOSAGE	COMMENTS
	NUTRIENTS
Helpful
Calcium in the chelate form with magnesium	1,500 mg daily. 750 mg daily.	This chelating agent binds with aluminum and eliminates it from the body.
Garlic tablets(kyolic)	2 capsules 3 times daily.	Acts as a detoxifier.
Kelp	6 tablets daily.	has a balanced mineral content. Acts as a detoxifier of excess metals.
Lecithin	2 tbsp. 3 times daily with meals	Aids in healing of the brain (and other cell membranes).
Multivitamin and mineral complex (high potency, hypoallergenic)	As directed on label.	Basic in stabilizing vitamin and mineral imbalance in toxic conditions.
Vitamin B complex plus vitamin B6(pyroxidine) and B12 lozenges or B12 injections	100 mg 3 times daily. 50 mg 3 times daily. Injections under doctor's recommendation and supervision only.	The B vitamins, especially B6, are important in ridding the intestinal tract of excess metals in in removing them from the body.

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