A new report is out, and the verdict is in…again. Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium and even copper are linked to heart attack and stroke risk.

I have known this for a while and dedicated an entire chapter to heavy metals in my book, The Paleo Cardiologist.

The British Medical Journal published a study that concluded:

• High lead levels linked to 85% higher risk of coronary disease and 63% higher stroke risk
• High arsenic linked to over 30% higher risk of cardiovascular disease
• High cadmium 33% higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

This study did not find a risk with mercury, while others have found a link.

How Do Heavy Metals Cause Heart Attacks?

In short, toxic heavy metals have no role in body function; therefore, they only serve to interfere with natural processes.

How can calcium, magnesium, and potassium do their jobs if lead, mercury, aluminum, arsenic and cadmium stand in the way?

Other proposed mechanisms of metal damage include:

• Oxidative stress and inflammation
• Smooth muscle dysfunction
• Endothelial dysfunction
• Immune dysfunction
• Mitochondrial dysfunction
• Dyslipidemia
• Disorders of coagulation
• Autonomic dysfunction
• Lower glutathione
• Activation of the Renin-Angiotensin system
• Lower nitric oxide
• Lower heart rate variability

Avoid Heavy Metal Exposure

Metals and other chemicals enter the body through air, water, and soil (by breathing, drinking, and eating). Additionally, metals can enter through the skin.

Here are some quick tips to reduce exposure:

1. Avoid air pollution by moving to areas with low levels. Getting a quality air filtration system from Austin Air.
2. Drink quality water filtered to eliminate contaminants. Buy a Pristine Hydro System
3. Eat organic food, pasture-raised meats, and wild seafood such as anchovy, sardines, and wild salmon. Limit tuna and other large fish.
4. Use quality cookware that does not leach dangerous metals into your food.
5. Avoid vaccines because most vaccines contain either aluminum or mercury.
6. Use organic skin and personal care products. Here’s what we use.

Detox Your Body from Heavy Metals

The first rule in clearing toxins from the body is to make sure the elimination pathways are open. Your body eliminates heavy metals through urine and feces.

Drink plenty of quality water to flush the kidneys. Daily bowel movements.

Also, we have developed a delicious protein shake mix called Daily Defense. It is your Daily Defense against toxic metal exposure and works to increase elimination of metals and other toxins.

Some metals, especially lead, are stored in the bones of your body and take a long time to get out. As we age, we lose bone mass, which releases more lead. Healthy bones are essential to preventing disease from lead. The Paleo Cardiologist lifestyle is the way to keep your bones healthy.

Chelation is a process to bind metals to aid in their elimination from the body. Patients often ask is chelation good for your heart. I wrote an article about it in 2017. Check it out.