Once humans developed the capability to isolate elements into their pure forms with the advent of electricity, aluminum became invaluable to modern industries. It’s now found throughout our daily lives and in soil, food, water, and air. The 13th element on the periodic table, while superabundant in nature, is now more able to enter our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, water, skin contact, vaccinations, dialysis, and infusions.
Effects of Aluminum Exposure
Health issues that arise from aluminum exposure often face contradictory evidence. A study titled “Differential Neuroprotective Effect of Curcuminoid Formulations in Aluminum Chloride-Induced Alzheimer’s Disease“ was published by Environmental Science and Pollution Research in May with revealing findings.In this animal study, the researchers induced Alzheimer’s disease by administering high levels (300 milligrams per kilogram) of aluminum chloride to rats. The study intended to investigate herbal pharmacotherapies made of curcuminoid extracts to mitigate and prevent signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study found that curcuminoid-rich extract and its protein complex “significantly improved the behavioral, biochemical parameters and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity in treatment groups.”
This shows that the extract has the potential to treat neurological issues—including Alzheimer’s disease. It also shows evidence of the neuroprotective effects of curcuminoid compounds, which are found in turmeric.
Causes of Aluminum Exposure
Aluminum (Al) is used extensively on its own and with other chemical compounds in our everyday lives. Compounds include Al chloride, Al hydroxide, Al nitrate, Al phosphate, Al sulfate, Al potassium, Al ammonium sulfate, and Al silicate.From fireworks to pottery, cement to cooking utensils, the list of everyday items containing aluminum is widespread. It’s challenging to limit our contact with aluminum. It’s found in pharmaceuticals, food additives, detergents, vaccines, water treatment, waterproofing, and flame retardants.
Healthy humans normally have an approximate total body burden of 30 to 50 milligrams of aluminum per kilogram of body weight. Normal levels of aluminum in the blood are estimated at one to three micrograms per liter. In the human body, aluminum has been found in the skin, colon, lymph nodes, adrenals, parathyroid glands, and most soft tissue organs.
How to Reduce Aluminum in Our Tissues
The human body is made to excrete toxins, and aluminum is no exception. Our kidneys eliminate from our blood about 95 percent of aluminum, which we excrete in the form of urine. Aluminum is also excreted in sweat, feces, hair, nails, sebum, and bile. Its excretions are also present in milk and semen, a consideration for parents and future parents. Actions to support our kidneys and other excretory systems can help reduce aluminum accumulation in the body.Reducing Aluminum Absorption
What if there were ingredients that helped or hindered our body’s ability to absorb aluminum, meaning that it passed through the body and was excreted without accumulating in our blood and tissues? As shown in the Interdisciplinary Toxicology study, certain compounds and minerals—citrate, fluoride, maltol, and lactate—enhance aluminum absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Absorption is reduced in the presence of iron overload and diets high in phosphate, silicon, polyphenols, and sialic acid.Plant-Based Medicines to Treat Aluminum Exposure
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Turmeric is a root belonging to the same plant family as ginger. It has been used for centuries in cooking for its pleasant earthy, floral flavor and rich orange pigments. It’s a primary ingredient in curry.These roots look like small orange, rough-skinned carrots. Greengrocers and health food stores often have fresh turmeric roots for sale. In the spice aisle, turmeric is available in its gorgeous golden powdered form. As a popular health supplement, turmeric and its primary compound, curcumin, can be found in capsules, extracts, and tinctures.
Turmeric’s Healing Activity
Curcumin is the major component of turmeric that provides vibrant golden pigments. It and its closely related substances make up the curcuminoid compounds.In strengthening and soothing the gastrointestinal system, along with the anti-inflammatory effects, curcuminoids are antispasmodic with evidence of inhibiting carcinogens and cancer growth.
How to Use Turmeric
Turmeric is available fresh, in dried powdered form in the spice aisle and in a wide range of dietary supplements. Including turmeric in the diet is one of the easiest ways to take advantage of the many anti-aluminum attributes turmeric has to offer. While the intense color of turmeric is hard to miss, the flavor is subtle and combines well with many foods.Try to add curries or traditional Indian cuisine to your diet, as turmeric is a common ingredient. Boost your turmeric power by mixing it with black pepper. The combination is often found in many curry spice blends. Turmeric, as well as many Indian spice combinations, go wonderfully well with garlic and ginger, which also have a host of health benefits and antioxidant properties to help boost your aluminum detox.
At Epoch Health, we’ve handpicked our partner, Heritage Formulations who produces Turmeric supplements here in the USA. Now, it’s simpler than ever to prioritize your health while staying true to your values.
Garlic (Allum sativum)
Garlic is a medicinal plant that has been in use since ancient times. This aromatic herbaceous plant is used as food throughout the world. As a traditional remedy, garlic possesses several biological properties.Available as a food or in supplemental forms, garlic has great potential in aiding aluminum detoxification from the body.
With 11 different horticultural groups of garlic, it’s classified into two types: softneck and hardneck. Most of us are familiar with the softneck varieties, which are usually found at the grocery store. They have soft stems that are pliable, making them perfect for the traditional braids of dried garlic. Hardneck varieties, which are sometimes favored by home gardeners and specialty growers, have stiff stems that send up flowering stalks, called scapes, which are also delicious. Hardneck garlic has fewer cloves, which are larger and easier to peel.
Garlic’s Healing Activity
An important part of any detox centered around eliminating heavy metals, garlic helps eliminate heavy metals from the body while protecting organs from heavy metal toxicity. The main active constituents in garlic are sulfur-containing phytoconstituents including alliin, allicin, and flavonoids like quercetin.How to Use Garlic
Garlic is treasured for its ability to enhance many styles of cooking. Countless recipes begin with garlic in the pan: minced, chopped, shaved, crushed, and what have you. It stores for long periods. For convenience, you can mince garlic in large batches and store it in the freezer. This makes it easy to add a spoonful here and there to almost any recipe for soups, stews, dressings, marinades, pilafs, and bread.Not everyone is a fan of garlic’s telltale odor. It’s rarely recommended on date night. Fresh raw garlic is often recommended as the best way to obtain its benefits, but this can be difficult for some people to stomach. The strong flavor and odor of raw garlic are a consequence of its beneficial sulfur-containing phytoconstituents.
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
The silica in plants such as horsetail can be very helpful in removing aluminum. Extracts of common horsetail have a long tradition in treating inflammatory conditions. In folk medicine, horsetail has been used for thousands of years.Known as a living fossil, this interesting plant was one of the most dominant groups of plants 400 million years ago during the Paleozoic Era. A perennial plant that’s native to North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, horsetail has hollow, jointed, and ridged stems that easily pull apart. In late spring, the green photosynthetic stems branch out in whorls and take on the appearance of scouring brushes.
Horsetail’s Healing Activity
In Mount Sinai’s Herb Library, they note horsetail was used traditionally to stop bleeding, heal ulcers and wounds, and treat tuberculosis and kidney problems since the time of ancient Rome and Greece. The silica in horsetail helps to strengthen bones so is used as a treatment for osteoporosis.Horsetail is also a diuretic, which increases urine output and helps relieve the body of excess fluid.
The study tested the extracts on human cancer cell lines and found that “extracts inhibited cell growth that was dependent on cell line, type of extract, and extract concentration. Ethyl acetate extract exhibited the most prominent antiproliferative effect, without inducing any cell growth stimulation on human tumor cell lines.”
In conclusion, the study shares, “The results obtained suggest that the horsetail extracts could be used as an easily accessible source of natural antioxidants and as potential phytochemicals.”
Healing Herbs Aluminum Detox Shots
What you need:- 1/2 cup fresh or 1/4 cup dried horsetail shoots
- 1 fresh or frozen minced garlic clove
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 cups high-quality fresh water
- Steep turmeric and horsetail until cool
- Add minced garlic and stir
- Steep overnight
- Strain liquid
- Store liquid in the fridge or a cool dark place for up to three days
- Take one shot of 1 to 2 ounces three to six times a day.
- Use liquid in other recipes such as salad dressings, soups, or pilafs.
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