Heavy metals are everywhere — in the air, water, food, and even household items. While some, like zinc and iron, are essential in tiny amounts, excess buildup can impact brain function, energy, and overall health.
So, how can you help your body process and remove unwanted heavy metals? Read on as we explore how natural detox works and whether antioxidants like our Liposomal Glutathione & Vitamin C can support this process.
Table of Contents
What are examples of heavy metals?
There are two kinds of heavy metals – those that are beneficial to human health (albeit in small amounts) and those that are highly hazardous (even in tiny amounts).
Beneficial heavy metals (in small amounts)
Here are examples of metals that are essential to human life. Note that when used in a dietary context, these metals are called dietary trace minerals: 1
| Iron | Manganese |
| Cobalt | Molybdenum |
| Copper | Selenium |
| Iodine | Zinc |
These minerals can be harmful to health when consumed at high levels over a long period. If you experience symptoms of toxicity (scroll down for the symptoms), then a heavy metal detox may give you some relief.
Toxic heavy metals
These heavy metals do not contribute positively to human health and can be highly hazardous even in tiny amounts. The World Health Organization also includes them in its list of 10 chemicals of public health concerns: 2
- Mercury
- Lead
- Cadmium
- Arsenic
Heavy metals can enter our bodies through various sources, including the foods we eat and the surroundings we interact with regularly. Examples are air and water pollution, cosmetics, tobacco smoking, industrial products, agricultural production (e.g. pesticides), and more.
What is a heavy metal detox?
Heavy metal detox, a.k.a. chelation therapy, is the process by which excess heavy metal is removed from the body.
Basically, a chelator or chelating agent binds and draws toxins out of the body. These chelating agents may either be synthetic or natural.
The chelator reacts with the metal ions to form a water-soluble complex that can then be excreted from the body. But for detox to work properly, the heavy metal causing the toxicity will need to be identified first. This is because different metals bind to different chelators.
For example, in lead poisoning, the chelation agents may include dimercaprol, succimer, and edetate calcium disodium. For arsenic poisoning, dimercaprol, succimer, and penicillamine can help draw out the toxic metal ions. 3
All of the chelators mentioned above are synthetic. If you’re worried about the possible side effects of synthetic chelators, then a natural chelator like glutathione may be more to your liking (more info below).
How do antioxidants like glutathione help with heavy metal detox?
Antioxidants like glutathione & vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and flavonoids can act as natural chelating agents. 4 This means they can help reverse the damage brought about by heavy metal poisoning. However, more research will need to be done in terms of which antioxidant will work best with which heavy metal.
That said, when it comes to antioxidant power, glutathione reigns supreme. This is because glutathione is the body’s main antioxidant. It’s present in all tissues, with particularly high concentrations in the liver. As an antioxidant, glutathione works to repair oxidative damage, including damage from heavy metal exposure. 5
Glutathione is produced naturally in the body, but production decreases as we grow older. Exposure to harmful chemicals further reduces our glutathione levels. In fact, one of the main markers of toxic metal overload is low glutathione levels. 6
With dwindling glutathione levels, our body needs all the help it can get. Fortunately, daily glutathione supplementation can help increase the body’s glutathione stores, raise blood glutathione levels, and increase natural killer cell activity. 7 Moreover, glutathione can also regenerate other antioxidants, specifically vitamins C and E. 5
Liposomal glutathione to the rescue!
When it comes to natural heavy metal detox, liposomal glutathione is a game-changer — and our dual-antioxidant formula takes it to the next level!
Here’s why our Intelligent Labs Liposomal Glutathione & Vitamin C supplement stands out:
- Dual antioxidant power – Each serving delivers 500 mg of Reduced L-Glutathione in liposomes and 1,000 mg of Vitamin C, working together to enhance detox and fight oxidative stress.
- Superior absorption – Liposomal glutathione is far better absorbed than regular oral glutathione.
- Soy-free formula – Made with sunflower lecithin instead of soy, making it a cleaner, allergy-friendly option for heavy metal detox.
- Third-party tested – We rigorously test every batch for purity, potency, and label accuracy, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
And here’s a fun tip: add a teaspoon of our liquid formula to your favorite smoothie for an instant detox smoothie!
What are the signs you may benefit from a heavy metal detox?
Prolonged exposure to toxic heavy metals can have severe health consequences and even death if left untreated. If you’re concerned about acute poisoning, please get in touch with a doctor or a poison control center in your area.
Unfortunately, diagnosis can be difficult since many of the symptoms are similar to other more common health issues. Toxicity levels also depend on many factors, such as:
- The type of heavy metal
- Amounts ingested or exposed to
- Length of exposure
- Your health status
If you experience the following several of the following symptoms, you may benefit from a heavy metal detox:
- Horizontal lines on fingernails
- Uncharacteristic behaviors
- Abnormal heartbeat and difficulty breathing
- Tingling and/or loss of sensation in hands and feet
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Again, if your symptoms are life-threatening, it’s in your best interests to get tested ASAP!
How long does it take to detox heavy metals from the body?
The time needed to detox heavy metals varies based on the type of metal, exposure level, and detox method. In mild cases, the body may clear some metals over weeks or months. A detox-supporting diet and supplements like liposomal glutathione may help enhance this process. However, for significant exposure, medical intervention may be necessary. 8
Final thoughts
Heavy metal exposure is unavoidable, but excess buildup doesn’t have to be. Your body has natural detox pathways, and supporting them with the right nutrients, like glutathione and vitamin C, may help.
💬 Have you tried a heavy metal detox before? Drop a comment below and share your experience!
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References:
- National Research Council (US) Committee on Diet and Health. “Trace Elements.” Nih.gov, National Academies Press (US), 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK218751/. ↩︎
- WHO. “10 Chemicals of Public Health Concern.” Www.who.int, 1 June 2020, www.who.int/news-room/photo-story/photo-story-detail/10-chemicals-of-public-health-concern. ↩︎
- “Chelation: Therapy or “Therapy”?” Www.poison.org, www.poison.org/articles/chelation-therapy. ↩︎
- Jomova, Klaudia, and Marian Valko. “Advances in Metal-Induced Oxidative Stress and Human Disease.” Toxicology, vol. 283, no. 2-3, 2011, pp. 65–87, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2011.03.001. ↩︎
- Pizzorno, Joseph. “Glutathione!” Integrative Medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), vol. 13, no. 1, 2014, pp. 8–12, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4684116/. ↩︎
- Sears, Margaret E. “Chelation: Harnessing and Enhancing Heavy Metal Detoxification—a Review.” The Scientific World Journal, vol. 2013, 2013, pp. 1–13, https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/219840. ↩︎
- Richie, John P., et al. “Randomized Controlled Trial of Oral Glutathione Supplementation on Body Stores of Glutathione.” European Journal of Nutrition, vol. 54, no. 2, 5 May 2014, pp. 251–263, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-014-0706-z. ↩︎
- Cleveland Clinic. “Heavy Metal Poisoning (Heavy Metal Toxicity): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 7 July 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23424-heavy-metal-poisoning-toxicity. ↩︎
