Heavy Metal Detox for Kids: 10 Natural and Effective Tips

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Natural and Gentle Heavy Metal Detox for Kids

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a concerned parent. As a parent myself, I know how unsettling it can be to realize how many harmful substances and toxic chemicals are all around us. And I know how intimidating a heavy metal detox for kids sounds.

But there are easy things you can do on a daily basis to mitigate the effects of heavy metals and protect your kiddo. I wrote this article with the heart and concern of a mom, and the knowledge and expertise of a Registered Nurse. Knowledge truly is power, and that’s what I want to share with you!

When it comes to children’s health, you have a crucial role as a parent. Keep reading to learn about background on heavy metals, information about some sources, evidence-based heavy metal detox tips, and even tips on how to prevent exposures. This information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.

What are Heavy Metals?

Heavy metals are a group of natural elements with high atomic weights and densities, making them much heavier than most other elements. While they are naturally occurring, they were far less common in the past. However, in our modern world full of environmental toxins, their presence and prevalence has greatly increased.

Industrial and agricultural practices, environmental pollutants, widespread use of pharmaceuticals and vaccines, product manufacturing, improper waste disposal, excessive drug administration, and various other modern activities have made them dangerously prevalent. Lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and aluminum are of particular concern. They have a number of negative effects on a child’s body and brain.

Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity

We are exposed to heavy metals in a number of ways. We can ingest contaminated food, inhale them from our atmosphere, drink contaminated water, or have them absorbed transdermally (through our skin). ¹

A non-profit “Healthy Babies Bright Futures” performed a study that found 95% of 168 baby foods contained detectable levels of toxic metals, which can permanently affect infants’ neurologic development and behavior. ²

The nervous system of young children is particularly vulnerable to toxic metals. Heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic can disrupt the development of neurons, synaptic connections, and the overall architecture of the brain, which can lead to developmental delays, cognitive impairments, and behavioral issues. These issues can range from mild symptoms like mood swings to more severe conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or dyslexia. ³

Sources of High Levels of Heavy Metals

Many of the options for infant food products are rice based. Unfortunately, rice has about 10 times the arsenic compared to most other foods. Arsenic is a carcinogen that impacts the child’s I.Q., growth rates, and immune development. ⁴

Heavy metals are not just in baby food, but also in run-of-the mill grocery items often purchased for older children like milk, macaroni and cheese, granola bars, cereals, and many other foods. Even common household products can be problematic.

What’s more, many children are placed on an intense vaccine schedule. Vaccines are sometimes made with aluminum phosphate as adjuvants, and can have other preservatives and ingredients that are toxic to children and adults alike.

Toys can also be a source of heavy metals and toxins. Toys of concern include toys with lead-based paint, plastic toys (even plastic can contain lead!), metallic toys, fake jewelry, imported toys, and even toys with batteries (especially if the batteries break open).

Best Ways to Detox

Knowing how to do a heavy metal detox for kids enables you to take control of heavy metal toxicity, and will bring you peace of mind. It puts the power in your hands! So, let’s dive into the best heavy metal detox tips for kids.

Using Chlorella as a Powerful Detoxer

Scientific evidence has shown chlorella to be effective at detoxing heavy metals. One study gave patients with long-term dental fillings and titanium implants Chlorella. This supplement improved detoxification of heavy metals, specifically mercury, silver, tin, and lead. ⁵

Adding chlorella powder to smoothies is a simple, effective trick to help your little one remove toxins and heavy metals. Keep in mind that chlorella is a sea algae, so it has a distinct scent and flavor. You’ll have to get creative with sneaking this in, but your efforts will definitely pay off!

Using Bentonite Clay to Detox

Bentonite clay is a must have for a heavy metal detox for kids. It has lovingly been referred to as “the clay with 1,000 uses”. You can use it in masks, detox treatments, sunburn treatments, oral care, deodorants, and even for insect bites or skin irritation.

Bentonite clay has been extensively researched. One study found that bentonite clay effectively removes cadmium and toxins, while preserving the nutritional composition of milk.⁶ The easiest way to detox with bentonite clay is with a foot soak or a foot mask.

For a foot soak, you will need 1/4-1/2 cup of bentonite clay and 2-4 cups of warm water. This should be enough to cover your child’s feet, but if not, just add more water. In a blender add the bentonite clay to some of the water. Once it’s all mixed, add that to the foot bath. Let your kiddo’s feet soak in that liquid for as long as they will cooperate, ideally for half an hour or more!

Alternatively, you can do a foot mask. Simply mix about 1/2 cup of bentonite clay with just enough water to make a thick paste. Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time, until it has reached your desired consistency. Then, before bedtime, coat the bottom of your child’s foot with the paste, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and put a loose sock over the foot mask.

Heavy Metal Detox Bath

Using bath time as a tool to remove toxins and heavy metals is as easy as it gets. The main component of the detox bath is magnesium. Magnesium supports the body’s natural detoxification processes. It plays an important role in eliminating toxins and reducing the damage caused by heavy metals.

The best way to include magnesium in your detox bath is by adding epsom salts or magnesium flakes . An Epsom salt bath contains magnesium sulfate, while magnesium flakes are made of magnesium chloride.

Pro tip: magnesium chloride absorbs better through your skin, and has a higher concentration of magnesium than magnesium sulfate. In other words, magnesium flakes are more effective than epsom salts, but either will work.

For a detox bath, take 1-2 cups of your preferred form of magnesium, and add it in at bath time. Again, the longer your child soaks in this, the better (ideally half an hour or more). A magnesium bath will also give your child’s immune system a boost!

Natural Zeolite and Chelation Therapy

Zeolite is a natural mineral that has a unique, porous structure. This structure allows it to absorb and bind to various toxins, heavy metals, and other harmful substances, making it useful in detoxification.

However, it can also bind to essential nutrients and electrolytes. If you’re considering zeolite for detox, it’s recommended to start with small amounts, and to use it under the guidance of a healthcare professional to ensure that it doesn’t interfere with your nutrient levels.

Chelation Therapy

Chelation therapy is a medical treatment used to remove heavy metals and other toxic substances from the body. Your healthcare provider can administer chelating agents, which are chemicals that bind to toxic heavy metals in the bloodstream, allowing them to be excreted. This is most commonly used in cases of heavy metal poisoning or mercury exposure.

Using Hydration to Detox

This may seem like a no-brainer, but staying hydrated with quality, clean water is incredibly important for detoxing harmful particles. Not all water filters are ideal, so do some digging and find one that you are confident in.

I use a Berkey filter, and I love that their filters are independently tested. It also brings me peace of mind that the main water reservoirs are made of stainless steel and not plastic. Once you have found a filter you love, prioritize offering your child lots of water. And don’t forget to drink lots yourself!

Using Probiotic-Rich Foods to Detox

Probiotics in foods like yogurt, kefir, or fermented vegetables can help improve gut health and support the body’s natural detox pathways. A healthy gut can better process and eliminate toxins from the body, including heavy metals. Not only that, but they have a myriad of other health benefits!

I recommend starting with learning to make Instant Pot yogurt and homemade strawberry kefir! These are the easiest introductions into the world of fermentation, especially for kids.

Using a Balanced Diet to Detox

Once heavy metals enter the body, certain foods bind with them, and help remove them in a process called chelation. Some foods that naturally aid in the removal of heavy metals include cilantro, wild blueberries, garlic, lemon water, chlorella, spirulina, barley grass, tomatoes, and probiotics. ⁷

You can also increase antioxidant-rich foods to combat heavy metal induced oxidative stress. Foods like berries, citrus, carrots, chia seeds, red bell peppers, dark chocolate, and cinnamon can protect cells from damage while supporting detoxification. I think the term “heavy metal detox” sounds so daunting and extreme, but it can really be as simple as eating more antioxidants, and focusing on a healthy diet!

Using Water Kefir to Detox

Water kefir is most known for its probiotic benefits, but it can also help adsorb heavy metal ions! It has been definitively proven that water kefir can be used as an effective heavy metal detoxifying agent. ⁸

There are a few ideal conditions for water kefir to be most effective at heavy metal detoxification⁹:

• Feed the grains sucrose (sugar).
• Let the water kefir ferment for 24 hours.
• Reach a pH of 4.5.
• A 1:1 ratio of kefir grains to metal solution.

This study concluded that water kefir is especially effective at detoxing chromium and lead (approximately 70% removed). It was also good at detoxing Copper, Nickel, and Manganese (approximately 50% removed)⁹.

So what does that mean for you? It means you have a new tool for an inexpensive, easy-to-make drink with detox benefits! Because of the fermentation process, water kefir may contain trace amounts of alcohol (Did you know that even sauerkraut has trace amounts of alcohol?) So don’t ferment it for too long, and always use your best judgement. Don’t give water kefir to children under one year of age. This is my favorite water kefir lemonade recipe.

Prevention

Avoiding heavy metals is just as important or more important than learning to detox them! That can be as simple as buying organic produce foods wherever possible. Organic farming not only decreases the amount of heavy metals that enter our food and bodies, but it also helps reduce their presence in the atmosphere. ¹⁰

Be judicious of what foods you eat, and what toys you buy, and be mindful of air quality. Depending on where you live, you may want to consider buying an air filter. Another way to improve indoor air quality is through plants!

Plants use a process called phytoremediation to absorb and break down various toxic substances. ¹¹ What an underutilized health hack! The linked study recommends using two plants per room of 100 square feet (9.3 m²). Some detoxifying plants include bamboo palm, green spider plants, chinese evergreen, peace lily, and heartleaf philodendron.

Heavy Metal Detox in Daily Life

I hope the information here has been really helpful for you! Rather than thinking of a heavy metal detox for kids as being a one-time event, I hope you think of it as a revolving practice. Choose one or two simple tips to implement in daily life, and reap the health benefits! Let me know in the comments which of these natural detox methods has been your favorite.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. While natural detox methods can support overall health, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a pediatrician or naturopathic doctor, before starting any detox regimen for your child. Heavy metal testing and detox treatments should always be guided by a qualified medical professional. The effectiveness of detox methods may vary from person to person. There are potential risks associated with improper detox practices. Always seek professional advice to ensure the safety and well-being of your child.

Sources

¹ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7490536</a>

² https://www.healthybabyfood.org/sites/healthybabyfoods.org/files/2019-10/BabyFoodReport_FULLREPORT_ENGLISH_R5b.pdf</p>

³ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4418502/

⁴ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5856424/</a>

⁵ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6523211/#sec4-antioxidants-08-00101</a>

⁶ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10020323/#Sec19</a>

⁷ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7490536/#sec7</a>

⁸ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11259891/</a>

⁹ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2019/8763902</a>

¹⁰ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7490536/#sec7</a>

¹¹ https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/reveh-2020-0062/html</a>

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