You have probably heard that that gut health is the center of overall health. 

Within the intestines is a mucosal layer, and when that starts to fray, larger molecules can start to pass through. This is the essence of “leaky gut”. 

If our gut integrity is compromised and we are able to absorb larger molecules, then it’s causing more absorption of toxins and those inflammatory promoting molecules. This is the starting point of so many of our chronic illnesses.  

So what causes our gut to become compromised?

1️⃣processed foods, animal protein, additives

2️⃣environmental toxins

3️⃣stress

… are a few of the big ones.

How do heavy metals play a role?

These heavy metals may alter our gut microbiome by interfering with our gut bacteria, leading to dysbiosis (imbalance in gut microbiota).

Our good gut bacteria are crucial in maintaining a healthy microbiome but also at fighting inflammation. When these good gut bacteria become compromised, and there is growth of pathogenic bacteria, this leads to inflammation. 

”Exposure of the gut microbiota to toxic metals is likely to exert disparate effects on the resident species, depending on intestinal location.” (PMID 32864518)

Which heavy metals am I talking about?

I’m going to focus on arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead: these are the most common we see contaminating our water and food supply. 

Arsenic:

Found high in rice, seafood, and our water supply. 

Arsenic leads to increased gut permeability by altering our good gut bacteria, promoting growth of bad bacteria, thereby inducing inflammatory molecules. (PMID 27709011).

This in turn makes the liver susceptible to this inflammatory response, resulting in a myriad of symptoms, many of which I see in my practice.

Cadmium:

Found in shellfish, protein powders, mushroom extracts, and cocoa powders. 

“This heavy metal can impair the gut barrier function and viability of the gut microbiota leading to increases in pro- inflammatory molecules.” (PMID 32864518)

Mercury:

Found in seafood & protein powders. 

Again this heavy metal can interfere with our good gut bacteria but is also a neurotoxin. 

Lead:

Exposure to this heavy metal alters the development of the gut microbiota and can affect multiple metabolic pathways, including some that are involved in detoxification. (PMID 28234468)

Lead is found in protein powders, water supply (due to pipes OR if your water is being treated with chloramine with lead pipes), and mushroom extracts. 

So these heavy metal disrupt the intestinal lining and gut microbiota composition, what do I do?

If you are having gut issues, this is a good place to start. Assess what you are eating, drinking, and exposing yourself to within your environment.

Need help? 

Book a free 15 minute discovery call with me to discuss any gut issues you may be experiencing. 

And finally, consider using a sauna to help detox heavy metals from your body. 

This link will take you to my 3 favorite saunas that are low EMF and made without toxic chemicals. 

Happiness & health,

Stephanie