Functional Medicine
at Ozark Holistic Center
Using the data to get results that last
What is functional medicine?
Many metals are essential to operating a human body, but in large or imbalanced quantities, any of them can cause problems. Some - like copper, iron, zinc, and magnesium - are included in our diets already and support many body functions; slight imbalances over time can lead to mild but frustrating affects.
Others like lead, mercury, barium, nickel, and arsenic can yield more volatile symptoms after just limited exposure.
Why get functional medicine care?
Heavy metal overload (referred to as heavy metal toxicity/heavy metal poisoning when it's severe) occurs when the balance of naturally occurring metals in the body is thrown off, or when a toxic metal is encountered and absorbed into the bloodstream through ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, etc. Many factors determine how dangerous the overload can be.
How can functional medicine help me move forward?
The range of symptoms you might experience from heavy metal overload can vary dramatically. The effects can also either be chronic or acute–meaning you might have endured some degree of exposure overtime or you may have encountered a large dose of a toxic metal all at once–and both can present differently.
​
Mild symptoms can include:
Headaches
Abdominal pain and cramping
Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
Fatigue
Breathing difficulties
Severe symptoms may include:
Burning sensations
Chronic infections
Brain fog
Insomnia
Visual disturbances or hallucinations
​
However, to be sure, we use a lab test to confirm. Treatment varies for different types of metals, so we need to be sure what it is that’s got you feeling this way.
Who is functional medicine for?
In our office we check for:
Aluminum
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Beryllium
Bismuth
Cadmium
Cesium
Gadolinium
Lead
Mercury
Nickel
Palladium
Platinum
Tellurium
Thallium
Thorium
Tin
Tungsten
Uranium
How does heavy metal overload occur?
There are a lot of probable causes to incurring heavy metal toxicity.
Air and water quality: Living in an area near a strong concentration of industrial plants can mean high levels of metals finding their way into the environment and the home. Polluted water also affects the crops that it supports.
Work environment: Individuals who work in industry, chemistry, medical laboratories, or construction, among others, are likely at a greater risk for experiencing heavy metal exposure.
Metabolic issue: Some bodies are not as not well-equipped to filter metallic waste as others, which could lead to a chronic and easily unnoticed buildup over time.
Diet: Some foods may exacerbate your symptoms, contain high metal counts, or impair your body’s filtration symptoms. Heavily processed foods often contain trace amounts of metals as preservatives or pesticides.
​
With that in mind, however, we are all susceptible to encountering heavy metals in our lives--no matter if we live far away from industrial sectors. What with globalized development, modern industry and agriculture, consumer waste production, and pollutant degradation - it can be difficult to avoid.
How do we fix it?
The process for naturally detoxing from heavy metal differs depends on several factors, including the type of metal, quantity absorbed, age and health of the individual, length of time over which the metal was absorbed, and other considerations. Some toxicity levels might require a more aggressive regimen.
These avenues may include:
-Strong water filters that sieve for microscopic particles of contaminants
-Detox process like using the infrared sauna
-Excluding foods that exacerbate your symptoms, contain high metal counts, or impair your body’s filtration symptoms
-Introducing foods that are helpful in counteracting your symptoms, support the body’s filtration symptoms, or attack and bond to metal particles directly.
-Supplements to support your body as it cleanses from the heavy metals in question
Need help?
If you are dealing with any of the symptoms listed above, or know of a exposure to toxic metals, please call us. You may not exhibit all of the symptoms listed, but even one or two can be a sign of something bigger--and we would love the opportunity to help you catch it early. We offer a free phone or in-person consultation to help you understand how we can get your health back on track.