Dr Isabelle Meurgey and dr Alain Butnaru
Lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, aluminium… These heavy metals, which were once synonymous with industrial progress, are now recognised as major toxins.
Invisible and persistent, they build up in our body over the years, leading to chronic fatigue, neurological issues, inflammation, hormone imbalance and degenerative diseases. Their toxicity is cumulative: just a few microgrammes per day can be enough to create chronic issues over the years, as our body, which is unable to eliminate them, stores them in the liver, brain, kidneys or fat.
Many insidious sources
Heavy metals are hiding everywhere: atmospheric pollution, dental fillings, tap water, cosmetics, food (fish, rice, cereals, additives), vaccines, smoking (even passive) and even aluminium kitchen utensils.
Their toxicity is due to three main mechanisms:
1.Oxidative stress: They generate free radicals, which damage our cell membranes, DNA and mitochondria.
2. Enzymatic disorganisation: By linking with the enzymes in an abnormal way, they modify their three-dimensional structure, disrupting the essential metabolic pathways.
3. Inflammation and immunotoxicity: They lead to chronic low-grade inflammation, promote auto-immune disease and speed up cellular aging. Mercury and lead attack the nervous system; cadmium affects the kidneys and bones; arsenic increases the risk of cardiovascular issues and cancer; aluminium accumulates in the brain and is suspected of being involved in the appearance of neurodegenerative disease.
Detection for better treatment
The diagnosis relies on specific analyses (blood, urine, hair) that allow us to evaluate the severity of the intoxication. In functional medicine, we often enhance this analysis by checking the patient’s levels of oxidative stress, glutathione, zinc, selenium and antioxidant enzymes, as well as their liver’s ability to detoxify the body, using genomic tests.
Detoxify with care
The first step is to reduce exposure:
Drink filtered water rather than tap water, eat organic food, stop cooking food in aluminium foil, use aluminium-free cosmetics, have any suspect fillings removed by a qualified dentist, eat small oily fish (anchovies, herring, mackerel, sardines), which are the only fish that are not contaminated by the mercury in sea water. Next, you can embark on a gradual detoxification plan:
- Boost hepatic detoxification with: milk thistle, NAC, glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid.
- Use gentle chelators: chlorella, coriander, wild garlic.
- Optimise your levels of selenium, magnesium, sulphur and zinc (a cadmium chelator).
- Take a course of silica (an aluminium chelator) by drinking Fiji or Volvic water for 10 days per month.
Medicine that preserves the environment
Heavy metal build-up illustrates the fragility of our biological balance in the face of a saturated environment. Detecting these heavy metals and researching their consequences are one of the cornerstones of the tests carried out in functional medicine. Protecting our cells from these silent poisons allows us to preserve our vital energy and longevity.
Dr Isabelle Meurgey
Doctor of anti-aging and aesthetic medicine. Graduate of the Rouen medical faculty. Has specialised in preventative and performance medicine since 1997. Permanent member of the French Society of Aesthetic Medicine.
More infos: docteurisabellemeurgey.com
Dr Alain Butnaru
Graduate of the Paris Medical Faculty. Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine since 1985. Permanent member of the French Society of Aesthetic Medicine. Degrees in Morphological and Anti-Aging Medicine.
More infos: docteuralainbutnaru.com
