Heavy metals create heavy hearts

Heavy metals can have an effect on every system in the body, and symptoms can vary greatly.

by Dr. Paul Stallone — 

High blood pressure, coronary heart disease (heart attack and chest pain), stroke and congestive heart failure are all forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and according to the American Heart Association, about 62 million Americans have some form of it. Most people are unaware that 150 years ago, heart disease was almost unheard of. Stressful lifestyles, processed foods, environmental toxins and obesity have all played a part in fostering this deadly disease.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. and around the world. The treatment of CVD accounts for nearly $100 billion dollars spent annually, with coronary artery bypass as the most frequently prescribed surgical procedure. Every year, approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer heart attacks.

A lot of money is spent trying to treat CVD, but little is allocated to prevent this disease. The solution, however, is not expensive surgeries, complex procedures or prescription drugs to combat a lifetime of poor diet, poor lifestyle decisions, toxic exposure to environmental pollutants and disrupted hormonal balance. To reduce the overall incidence of CVD and death, treatment needs to start well before the end stages of the disease.

One approach that has many people excited relates to heavy metal exposure. Some metals are found naturally in the body and are essential for great health. For example, iron prevents anemia, and zinc is a cofactor in more than 100 enzyme reactions. Normally, these two trace metals occur at low concentrations; however, in high doses they can be toxic to the body or produce deficiencies in other trace metals.

In today’s industrial society, there is no escaping exposure to toxic metals. Chronic exposure may come from mercury-amalgam dental fillings, chemical residues in processed foods and lead in paint, tap water and personal care products such as cosmetics, shampoo, hair products, mouthwash, toothpaste, soap, etc. Exposure to heavy metals has climbed significantly in the last 50 years as a result of an exponential increase in the use of them in industrial processes and products.

Heavy metals accumulate in organs, bone and tissue, instead of being expelled by the body. In chelation therapy, a chelating agent chemically binds with metals or chemical toxins and flushes them from the body. The chelating agent actually surrounds a metal ion and passes it from the body through the urine and/or feces.

Heavy metals can have an effect on every system in the body, and symptoms can vary greatly. The heart is vulnerable to the consequences of exposure to heavy metals. Stiffening of the arteries has been repeatedly linked to an overexposure to heavy metals, which can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure). This can, in turn, lead to an overworked, exhausted heart.

Chelation can also reduce calcium plaque buildup on arterial walls. These compromised, narrowed arteries can be found throughout the body and can affect blood flow, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to every cell, tissue, gland, organ and system. Chelation reaches and benefits every blood vessel in the body, from the largest artery to the tiniest capillary.

Toxic metals can increase allergic reactions, cause genetic mutation, battle with good trace metals for biochemical bond sites and act as antibiotics, killing both harmful and beneficial bacteria.

As patients spread the word about the wonders of chelation, more health websites are promoting the oral use of chelation supplements. Although chelation can be a life-saving treatment, anyone interested in this therapy should discuss treatment options with a knowledgeable and skilled physician.

It is critical when addressing cardiovascular health to accurately measure current status and levels. These results are then crafted into an effective treatment or preventative plan and are used to track progress. Testing is critical.

Chelation may help treat a number of debilitating symptoms. Such treatment can be preventative if administered before toxicity exposure reaches dangerous levels. Schedule an appointment to learn why this treatment is getting attention and saving lives around the world.

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nine out of 10 heart disease patients have at least one risk factor. Several medical conditions and lifestyle choices can put people at a higher risk for heart disease, including:

• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Cigarette smoking
• Excess weight and obesity
• Poor diet
• Physical inactivity
• Alcohol use

Paul Stallone, N.M.D., founded the Arizona Integrative Medical Center in Scottsdale, Ariz. He combines natural, alternative and conventional treatments to best fit each patient’s needs. www.drstallone.com or 480-214-3922.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 30, Number 5, Oct/Nov 2011.