Detoxification

Environmental toxins and heavy metals can burden the body, act toxically, and impair important enzyme functions. Among the most common burdens is mercury, but lead and aluminium can also play a role.

An important aspect is the recognition that an elevated toxic burden is often underpinned by a genetically determined limitation in detoxification capacity. Due to their individual predisposition, some people are only able to eliminate toxins insufficiently. This can lead to an increased accumulation of pollutants in tissue.

In a study of people with ADD, for example, a significantly lower mercury concentration was found in the hair compared to the control group. Some researchers interpret this as meaning that affected individuals eliminate heavy metals less effectively, so that mercury may accumulate more strongly in the body and possibly also in the brain.

To support the elimination of toxic metals, biomedicine uses chelation therapy. This involves both natural substances such as alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and chelating agents such as DMSA or DMPS. These bind heavy metals so that they can be removed from the body through its natural elimination pathways.