tl;dr version:
- I had extremely high levels of lead and mercury. A 30-day infrared sauna and niacin detox protocol brought my mercury level down ~36%, lead level down ~6%, increased HDL by 20%, and had a positive effect on red blood cells, testosterone, liver, and immune system.
About two years ago an Organix Comprehensive Profile urine test revealed that I had some suppressed neurotransmitter function. I had a theory that this was in part due to exposure to toxic metals like mercury and lead. Toxic metals burden has been linked to lower levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. [1]
What Causes Toxic Metals Burden?
The body is quite capable of providing ways to detoxify itself (liver, sweat, urine, stool), but we can still accumulate quite a lot of toxins (especially heavy metals) in our bodies over decades of modern living. This can be due to exposure to lead (paint, cheap toys, some types of window shades), tattoos, fabric softeners, seafood (especially large species such as tuna), drinking water, pottery, cookware and utensils, gasoline, and mercury amalgam fillings. These toxins then become stored in our tissues, bones, and fat. [Read more…]