We’ve written in past articles about the ever-present dangers of toxic heavy metals. Aluminum is one of the most worrisome of all—it’s already one of the most abundant metals on the earth’s surface, and industrial culture has ensured that it shows up in nearly every aspect of our lives.
Given the known toxicity of aluminum, the ways in which we use it on a frequent basis are pretty surprising. We cook our food at high temperatures using aluminum cookware and aluminum (heat increases the rate at which aluminum toxins are absorbed into our food). We rub aluminum-laced deodorants under our armpits (which allows it to be absorbed almost directly into our lymph system). And we even use it as a preservative in dental preparations and vaccines—two “medical” applications that allow this poison direct access to our bloodstream!
So what’s so bad about aluminum?
Aluminum can destroy the endocrine system and lead to widespread hormonal imbalance (especially when it’s absorbed through the lymph system) if it accumulates beyond a certain level. It’s even been linked with breast cancer,[1] prostate cancer,[2] and Alzheimer’s disease.[3]
And that’s just accounting for the more direct risks of aluminum exposure. Because it’s very difficult to detox, it bioaccumulates over time and can cause all kinds of serious dysfunctions associated with the areas of the body in which it’s stored. These areas include the lungs, thyroid, liver, bones, and brain—which means that aluminum toxicity can be indirectly linked to everything from fatigue, immunosuppression, and mood disorders to osteoporosis, chronic inflammation, and respiratory issues.
The presence of aluminum blocks the production of essential enzymes and proteins throughout the body, which can cause premature aging, cell dysfunction, behavioral changes via altered brain structure, and even DNA changes.[4] In short, aluminum is something best cleared from the body if you want to maintain optimal health.
There’s only one medical “treatment” for aluminum toxicity, though: a chelating drug called desferoxamine. As is usually the case with pharmaceuticals, its use comes with a load of side effects, including various skin conditions, numbness and burning pain throughout the body, nausea, blurred vision, tinnitus, dizziness, and more.[5]
Luckily, though, there’s a better, more natural way to protect your body from the ravages of aluminum: turmeric.
Battling toxicity on every level
You may have noticed from reading our other articles that it seems like there’s nothing that turmeric can’t treat. Aluminum toxicity is no exception—a handful of studies have already demonstrated that this powerhouse root protects your body from (and even reverses) the deleterious effects of heavy metal poisoning.
So how does turmeric do it?
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities are well-known. By neutralizing both chronic inflammation and oxidative stress—two of the greatest inhibitors of the body’s natural detoxification functions—turmeric helps protect against the negative effects of aluminum and other heavy metals. This connection between curcumin’s antioxidant-boosting properties and heavy metal detoxification is well-documented.[6]
Other studies have fleshed out the way in which turmeric’s antioxidant punch takes care of the “aging-related alteration” induced specifically by aluminum. By increasing your body’s endogenous production of antioxidants like glutathione and superoxide dismutase, turmeric empowers your body to neutralize stress caused by the presence of aluminum.[7]
Turmeric also protects the specific organs often associated with aluminum toxicity, such as the kidneys, one the body’s key tools for ridding the body of aluminum. It has also been shown to protect the liver against aluminum-induced damage,[8] and to prevent the neurodegeneration that’s so easily catalyzed by aluminum buildup.[9]
Last but not least, this amazing little root even directly chelates aluminum from the body—and it works as effectively (or more so) than pharmaceutical chelating agents, without any side effects.
The best way to take turmeric
As turmeric’s popularity continues to skyrocket, so do the potential choices available to you for using it therapeutically. Health food store shelves are packed with turmeric products of every shape and kind—pills, powders, liquids, extracts, and more. And, of course, turmeric is available as raw root in most well-stocked grocery stores.
Here’s some tips for narrowing down your search.
First and foremost, raw turmeric root is an excellent ingredient to integrate into your cooking whenever possible (I love throwing a big piece of peeled root into soups and smoothies). Powdered turmeric that’s sold as a spice is lovely for flavoring, but it’s not suited for therapeutic use—you’d have to use more than is possibly feasible in order to achieve any measurable effect.
If you really want to take advantage of turmeric’s ability to protect you from aluminum toxicity (as well as the rest of its seemingly unending benefit list, to which over 6,000 studies attest), you’ll need to supplement with it.
Ditch the capsules, isolated curcumin, and other inferior supplements. Instead, search for a full-spectrum, liposomal extract. We truly believe that Purathrive’s Liposomal Turmeric extract with Fulvic Acid is the most powerful one available.
Full-spectrum extraction techniques (to ensure that you’re getting all turmeric’s synergistic compounds), true liposomalization technology (to ensure maximum bioavailability), and the inclusion of mineral-rich fulvic acid all provide unparalleled results.
Don’t live with the long-term debilitating effects aluminum toxicity…give this turmeric extract a try today.
References
[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16045991
[2] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4131938/
[3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21157018
[4] http://www.turmericforhealth.com/turmeric-benefits/can-turmeric-help-against-aluminium-toxicity
[5] http://www.rxlist.com/desferal-side-effects-drug-center.htm
[6] http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jbbs.2013.31008
[7] http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10522-008-9195-x#/page-1
[8] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24751969
