Protecting the Brain from Environmental Toxin Risks

Globally, people over 65 are the fastest-growing segment of the population, and identifying the connection between environmental toxins and neurodegenerative disease is more important than ever. Memory impairment like Alzheimer’s and autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis are some of the most common neurodegenerative diseases where environmental exposures to heavy metals like lead, cadmium and manganese contribute to disease process by increasing neuronal oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation.

 

Chronic exposure to metallic compounds in seafood, pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables and hormones found in many dairy products lead to an overloaded detoxification pathway, increased systemic inflammation and clinical patterns such as immune dysfunction or endocrine disruption.

Lead is a known neurotoxicant which readily crosses the blood-brain barrier. Cadmium promotes deteriorated learning and memory abilities, as well as senile plaque depositions in the brain. Excessive manganese is neurotoxic, and high levels may cause accumulation in the brain.

 

New methods of assessing these heavy metal concentrations in tissue is helping practitioners identify the patients at risk early and taking action. Not too long ago, the window of opportunity for treatment was often missed, as blood, hair or nail levels did not reflect the tissue concentration as accurately as spectroscopy.

 

 

Do not assume treatment for heavy metals is done without multiple retests.