ALUMINUM – THE SOFT-IN-THE-HEAD MINERAL, A TOXIC MALE/FEMALE ELEMENT

by Lawrence Wilson, MD

© November 2011, The Center For Development, Inc.

 

                  Aluminum is a mildly toxic metal that is unfortunately found widely in our present-day environment in places such as anti-perspirants, anti-acids, aluminum in cookware and Òtin foilsÓ, aluminum used in the deodorant stones and crystals, aluminum in clays like zeolite, bentonite and azomite, and hundreds of other common products made with aluminum.

                  Aluminum is called the soft in the head mineral because it affects the brain more than any other system of the body, impairing memory and cognition in most cases. 

 

SOURCES OF ALUMINUM TOXICITY

 

á           beverages from aluminum cans (soda pop, beer, juices) unless the can is coated on the inside

á           food cooked in aluminum cookware or foil

á           use of aluminum-containing antacids

á           use of anti-perspirants

á           drinking water (aluminum is frequently added to municipal water supplies)

á           baking powders used in many baked goods

á           table salt – aluminum usually added as an anti-caking additive

á           processed cheese

á           bleached flour

á           fluoridated water increases leaching of aluminum from aluminum pots and pans.

á           all prepared foods made with tap water or salt usually contain aluminum.  This includes all baked goods, sauces, almost all beverages such as sodas, some juices and thousands of other products.

á           children are often born with elevated aluminum that is passed from mother to fetus through the placenta.

 

DETECTION OF ALUMINUM TOXICITY

 

Blood – may have value, however serum levels definitely do not indicate total body load of aluminum.

Hair - levels appear to correlate well with bone levels of aluminum.  Several hair tests may be needed before aluminum is revealed on the test, as it may be sequestered within body tissues. 

 

HOW ALUMINUM AFFECTS HEALTH

 

Nervous system - In animal studies, aluminum blocks the action potential or electrical discharge of nerve cells, reducing nervous system activity.  Aluminum also inhibits enzymes in the brain (Na-K-ATPase and hexokinase).  It may also inhibit uptake of important chemicals by nerve cells (dopamine, norepinephrine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine).

Behavioral effects - Dementia resulting from kidney dialysis related to aluminum toxicity causes memory loss, loss of coordination, confusion and disorientation.

Digestive system - Aluminum reduces intestinal activity.  It is used in many antacids.  An excess may cause colic.

 

SYMPTOMS OF ALUMINUM TOXICITY

 

Early symptoms: flatulence, headaches, colic, dryness of skin and mucous membranes, tendency for colds, burning pain in the head relieved by food, heartburn and an aversion to meat. 

Later symptoms: paralytic muscular conditions, loss of memory and confusion.  Other symptoms may include:

 

                  Alzheimer's disease

                  amyotrophic lateral

                  sclerosis

                  anemia

                  hemolysis

                  leukocytosis

                 porphyria

                  colitis

                  dental cavities

                  hypoparathyroidism

                  kidney dysfunction

                  liver dysfunction

                  neuromuscular disorders

                  osteomalacia

                  Parkinson's disease

                  ulcers

 

ALUMINUM ANTAGONISTS AND CHELATORS

                  calcium, magnesium, zinc, fluoride, vitamin C, deferoxamine

 

ALUMINUM AND HAIR ANALYSIS

 

á           The ideal hair aluminum should probably be below 0.1 mg%.  This is lower than most labs suggest.

á           Most hair tests indicate elevated hair tissue aluminum.  This is not surprising as it is high in clay soils, in many foods and in the environment.

á           Hair levels may rise on retest hair mineral analyses during a nutritional balancing program as more aluminum is mobilized from tissue storage sites.

á           Aluminum may be hidden.  Hidden aluminum indicators include a hair manganese above 0.04 mg%, hair  iron above 2 mg%, and perhaps elevated chromium or selenium.  These elements collectively are called the ÔamigosÕ or ÔfriendsÕ as they are often found together.

á           A hair aluminum that is less than about 0.65 mg% or 6.5 parts per million is called a poor eliminator pattern for aluminum.  This means that one has plenty of aluminum, but the body cannot eliminate it properly.    It is an important hair analysis indicator.

á           A hair aluminum level less than about 0.25 mg% is called a very poor eliminator pattern.  This is the same as a poor eliminator pattern, only more extreme.

 

 

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