Dangerous heavy metals in our diet: How healthy are the foods you eaT?

MILWAUKEE, April 8, 2014 – According to the health site Natural News, many popular everyday foods contain heavy metal contaminants, including mercury.

So just how healthy are the foods you eat regularly?

”Our research shows that many common foods contain mercury and other contaminants,” said Natural News. “We are finding and documenting heavy metals in all sorts of dietary products, including organic foods, protein supplements, herbal supplements, beverages, vitamin pills and more.

Heavy metals are group of metals with similar chemical properties. Copper, iron and zinc all play important roles in the body. However, other heavy metals provide no health benefits. Mercury can be found in fish. Arsenic can be found in well water. These heavy metals, in large amounts, can cause health problems.

True chronic heavy metal poisoning is rare. However, as heavy metals begin to appear in more and more foods it does increase potential risk and the need for awareness.

There are simple things that can be done to protect the body from an accumulation of heavy metals. Natural News’ Health Ranger suggest eating strawberries to aid in capturing mercury during digestion. This is because strawberries are the only common fruit with fibers on the outside. These fibers are hard to digest, collect heavy metals and pass through the human body largely intact.

Chlorella, hemp protein and peanut butter are also helpful in absorbing mercury. This process doesn’t work well for other heavy metals, advises Natural News. Lead, cadmium and arsenic are much harder to remove.

Natural News and many other sources also suggest using a water filter and washing fruits and vegetables. That information is not new. Many Americans already use filters. However, those concerned with the increasing amount of processed food available may have a point. Processed, refined and canned foods are the most likely to contain heavy metals.

“As a consumer, it’s about getting in to healthy habits and staying aware,” said Natural News. “The research is there. People just need to take the time to click and get information. With that information they can be better informed and make the right choices when it comes to their health.”

Even the most health-conscious person will eat the wrong food from time-to-time–intentionally or unintentionally. What Natural News and other sources provide are a way to know just how healthy the foods people eat really are.