Our modern world couldn’t survive without metal.  It forms the backbone of our buildings, our vehicles, our transportation and defense systems.  It even shows up in our teeth when we need dental work.

But a certain type of metal is highly toxic to humans, and we need to do everything we can to minimize our exposure to it.  Heavy metals earned their name because of their high molecular weights, which makes them denser and heavier than other metals.  Examples of heavy metals are arsenic, chromium, cadmium, copper, lead and mercury.

When ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin, these heavy metals can have serious health consequences.  Over time, they can cause diseases and cancers of the major organs, anemia, and brain and nerve damage.  Because they bioaccumulate, even tiny doses of heavy metals can be poisonous over time.  Bioaccumulation occurs when a chemical stays in the body for long periods of time because the body can’t excrete or metabolize it.

Industrial activity and general pollution are now creating build-ups of heavy metals in our environment.  Dangerous amounts of heavy metals have recently shown up in everything from European wines to protein drinks to tap water. Even dental amalgams can contain mercury, which slowly leaches from your fillings into your body.

So how can we guard against the very real risks of heavy metal poisoning in today’s modern, polluted world?

First, try to avoid coming into contact with them in the first place.  Try to buy organic foods (pesticides and fungicides contain heavy metals).  Find out whether the drinking water in your area is contaminated by heavy metals, and if it does, invest in a water filtration system or have natural spring water delivered to your home. You can also order home testing kits to test the heavy metal content of the foods you eat, the soil on your property and even your own saliva.

If you are concerned about heavy metal levels in your body, you may want to consider chelation therapy. Chelation involves injecting a synthetic solution-EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) into the bloodstream.  This solution grabs heavy metals and flushes them from the body.  For a less invasive approach, look at some of the heavy metal cleanses available from health food stores.

The Alkal-Life 7000sL Water Ionizer can also be used as part of a protective regimen against pollutants and heavy metals. The Alkal-Life Ionizer connects to an existing water source—for instance, your kitchen tap—and turns ordinary tap water into a powerful antioxidant, internal cleanser and immune booster.