Toxic Heavy Metals and Trauma Recovery

While married and while fiercely struggling to survive the sociopath, I first accessed allopathic “medicine” for a stress disorder. Toxic medications, when prescribed, did not work for me, and worse, made symptoms worse. In fact, the effects of the medications, for me, were frightening and disrupting natural body processes. I then chose to access a healthcare practitioner who practiced HTMA (hair tissue mineral analysis), orthomolecular medicine and pharmaceutical grade nutrients. That decision made the difference to me. I believe that building my body up with nutrients helped me to survive the ongoing pattern of having to survive a sociopath (who persisted with abuse ten years after divorce).

I eventually began to explore holistic healthcare. The ongoing stress with family scapegoating, children acting out toward the safe parent (self), family court corruption, overwork and pursuing education to become financially self-sufficient, personal injury, in addition to everyday stressors at work and in the community caused me to seek more support. Over time, with functional medicine, I learned that I was paying for too many nutritional supplements that either were not working or were causing unfavorable reactions. I realized I was paying for supplements to correct nutritional deficiencies. But there was no focus, with the practitioners I accessed for healthcare, on detoxification of the body. I returned to studying HTMA and, currently, have renewed fascination and belief that this diagnostic tool is foundational to maintaining health.

I became most disillusioned with conventional “medicine”. I realized that prescribing a pharmaceutical drug was not healing my body. Instead, it was covering up symptoms I need to pay attention to in order to heal my body naturally. With HTMA, I am discovering that allopathic, conventional pharmaceutical medications caused significant problems. Conventional doctors prescribed repeat rounds of antibiotics since I was a young child. Overuse of antibiotics disabled my immune system. In addition, the doctors prescribed birth control pills which raised both estrogen and toxic levels of copper. These synthetic, toxic chemicals disrupt the natural balance in the body and cause significant side effects. I want nothing to do with big pharma especially after seeing an extreme number of adverse reactions because of the covid jab.

Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt and Connie Fox on Mercury Toxicity

I listened to Connie Fox talk about her experience with conventional medicine. She was misdiagnosed and antidepressants were recommended. In 8 years, she saw 97 doctors who often looked at her like she was crazy and were unable to treat her. How little the conventional medical system knows about mercury, heavy metals and detoxification. Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, PhD, was the doctor who was able to treat her and to diagnose her correctly with a hair test. He determined that Connie needed mercury detox. Dr. Klinghardt is renowned as the top doctor in the world for the treatment of mercury toxicity.  https://www.mercurymadness.info/?gclid=CjwKCAjwi6WSBhA-EiwA6Niok8gl42opb1Wa8DlJJyg8a1ZzsEjAupjSnIX4KiMQ7-SUKMl8oppK2xoCoSMQAvD_BwE

Connie states that without the hair test and detox, her recovery could not go far. Dr. Klinghardt once toldl her, “bugs love metals”. A toxic, heavy metal environment is a perfect environment for bad bugs to easily thrive and multiply. Mercury and other heavy metals easily damage the delicate mucosal layer that surrounds the inner lining of the intestines. About 75% of the immune system comes from the good bacteria which lives in this mucosal layer. Without the presence of a healthy mucosal layer, good bacteria cannot adhere to and colonize well on the intestinal lining.

Take the heavy metal quiz:

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Connie went back to school, after she recovered, and became a licensed and Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner who now supports others with recovery. Her website, Freedom From Mercury Madness, provides much educational information about her story and how she works to help others. Connie emphasizes that healing the gut is the first step to recovery. She states as follows:

“Probiotics are of limited value without restoring the mucosal layer. Otherwise, much of the good bacteria simply passes through the intestines and out in the stool. A leaky gut condition and a compromised immune system develops the overgrowth of candida, bad bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. This causes a host of other problems, including mast cell histamine release, resulting in chronic inflammation and a hyper-sensitive immune response to toxins, allergens, foods, herbs and supplements. Leaky gut accompanies every chronically heavy metal toxic person to one degree or another. Typically, the more toxic you are from heavy metals, the more severe the leaky gut condition.

One cannot make much progress improving the proper breakdown of foods, reducing mast cell production, rebuilding the immune system, restoring cellular nutrition, strengthening weak organs and glands, protecting brain cells, or repairing damaged cell membranes and the myelin sheath of nerve cells and safely detoxify if one does not first restore the condition of the gut. It is the crucial first step.

Without the protective mucosal layer, these bad bugs dig their “feet/prongs” into the intestinal tract, creating microscopic holes, making it permeable (thinned, like cheesecloth) and “leaky”. Undigested food particles pass into the bloodstream this way. The immune system sees these food particles as “foreign invaders” and in an attempt to protect you, produces mast cells to destroy them by releasing their contents of histamine and other chemicals that cause inflammation.

So when you can’t properly break down your foods [assimilate/methylate], your food literally becomes toxic and your immune system develops an allergic-like response to foods and nutraceuticals. In addition, the metals, pathogens, their waste and other toxins also pass through the thinned, impermeable leaky gut, causing a “systemic” candida/bacterial/viral infection and recirculates the excreted metals, which ‘re-poisons’ you. This causes even more production of mast cells, histamine release and inflammation. Of course, this exacerbates symptoms. Taking the right binders can help, but does NOT eliminate this issue.”

Mercury Detox Specialist, Connie Fox HHP, CHC, AADP and her website: http://www.mercurymadness.info https://www.mercurymadness.info/the-hidden-obstacle-to-your-recovery-from-mercury-poisoning-leaky-gut-and-mast-cell-histamine-release/

Caution with Heavy Metal Detox

Always use caution. I believe in being gentle with the body, preparing the body for detox, rather than being aggressive with detox. Connie Fox learned this the hard way with trying chelation. Again, Dr. Klinghardt helped her make sense of the madness. He told her: “you cannot tolerate these forms of sulfur compounds, Connie. You are way too mercury toxic to handle DMSA, DMPS, MSM, NAC or chlorella. Your methylation is too impaired and you have too many bad bugs [pathogens]”. And he stated it so simply, as if 1+1 equals two. Of course! After four years of inconceivable torture from chelation, the most baffling mystery of my life was solved.”

She concluded: “I never again took DMSA or DMPS [or MSM, NAC or chlorella]. Mild mercury toxic cases can sometimes tolerate these chelators for a period of time. Moderate to severely toxic cases often times CANNOT. They need to first prepare their body for the safe and effective removal of metals, which includes:

• Repairing their leaky gut condition
• Improving assimilation and methylation
• Reducing mast cell histamine release, cellular inflammation and a hypersensitive immune response
• Restoring nutritional deficiencies
• Repairing cellular damage from the metals, pathogens and nutritional deficiencies
• Resolving the overgrowth of pathogens”

Connie adds: “Natural detoxifiers can effectively extract metals as chelators do, but are not toxic and do not bind to food nutrients, robbing you of the vital nutrients the mercury toxic so desperately need. There is no need to take a poisonous substance to remove another poisonous substance!”

https://www.facebook.com/notes/258814695515477/

Medical Medium on Mental Health & Toxic Heavy Metals

I did a copy/paste of this article below, from Medical Medium, because it spoke directly to me. I searched for answers for too long and was doing everything I could to be healthy. I had been to countless health professionals, scoured the internet, and read everything I could get my hands on with seeking relief that never came. It was not until I returned to using HTMA and detoxed heavy metals that I found the relief I was seeking.

Are Toxic Heavy Metals Ruining Your Life?

by Anthony William

“Do you suffer from chronic health problems and have yet to find the answers you seek? If you feel that you have been searching for answers for far too long, you are not alone. You may already be doing everything you can think of to keep yourself healthy. You stick to your organic diet. You get as much exercise as you can tolerate. You meditate. You take your daily supplements. You take time for yourself. As far as you can tell, you’re doing everything right, and yet, your symptoms persist. Fatigue. Migraine headaches. Joint pain. Brain fog. Sluggishness. Inflammation. Constipation and other digestive disturbances. Susceptibility to infections. Nervousness and anxiety. Insomnia. Poor memory. Yeast and bacterial overgrowth. Skin eruptions. Attentional deficits. Mood dysregulation. Sadly, these types of symptoms are becoming more and more commonplace. If you suffer from any one of these on a regular basis, odds are you have been to countless health professionals, scoured the internet, and read everything you can get your hands on, awaiting relief that never comes, or lasts only a short while. You may even have been told that it’s “all in your head,” that it’s “hormonal,” or “it’s just stress.” Yet as your symptoms continue, you keep asking yourself “What have I missed? Why does my body still feel this way?”

In this modern era, we are bombarded by toxins of every kind imaginable. Our bodies are subjected to an onslaught of dangerous chemicals on a daily basis from things like air pollution, plastics, and industrial cleaning agents, not to mention the thousands of new chemicals introduced into our environment every year. Toxins also saturate our water reservoirs, fall down from the sky, and hide out in our homes and workplaces. This has become an unfortunate reality of modern life. However, if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, there’s a good chance that a particular class of toxins are to blame. They are known as toxic heavy metals. Heavy metal toxicity—from metals such as mercury, aluminum, copper, cadmium, nickel, arsenic, and lead—represents one of the greatest threats to our health and well-being. While heavy metal toxicity is quite common, it is not commonly diagnosed. This is because heavy metal toxicity is an elusive adversary. It stays well-hidden within our bodies, never revealing itself unless you are actively looking for it.

“Heavy metal toxicity—from metals such as mercury, aluminum, copper, cadmium, nickel, arsenic, and lead—represents one of the greatest threats to our health and well-being.”

https://goop.com/wellness/detox/a-heavy-metal-detox/

Imagine the effect of heavy metals, for example, copper and what it does to our delicate nervous system, neurotransmitters, immune system, etc. I now believe that this healing information is intentionally censored, as much as possible, in order to keep us ill.

https://coffeewitness.com/is-coffee-high-in-copper/

PTSD and Long-Term Health

By now, many of us have learned how trauma affects both short term and long-term health per the Adverse Childhood Experiences study (http://aceresponse.org/who_we_are/ACE_Study_43_pg.htm). Trauma is stress and traumatic stress causes a fight-flight response in our nervous system. The amygdala, the survival, red alert part of the brain is activated. The longer we survive chronic stress and trauma, the more our brains develop a hard-wired survival pattern in the brain. Our calm and rational brain is eventually hi-jacked and we then live in a state of hypervigilance:

https://www.simplypsychology.org/amygdala.html

“The amygdala is a complex structure of cells nestled in the middle of the brain, adjacent to the hippocampus (which is associated with memory formation).”

“What are the health effects of toxic stress?

Chronic toxic stress—living in a red alert mode for months or years — can also damage our bodies. In a red alert state, the body pumps out adrenaline and cortisol continuously. Over time, the constant presence of adrenaline and cortisol keep blood pressure high, which weakens the heart and circulatory system. They also keep glucose levels high to provide enough energy for the heart and muscles to act quickly; this can lead to type 2 diabetes. Too much adrenaline and cortisol can also increase cholesterol.

Too much cortisol can lead to osteoporosis, arthritis, gastrointestinal disease, depression, anorexia nervosa, Cushing’s syndrome, hyperthyroidism and the shrinkage of lymph nodes, leading to the inability to ward off infections.

If the red alert system is always on, eventually the adrenal glands give out, and the body can’t produce enough cortisol to keep up with the demand. This may cause the immune system to attack parts of the body, which can lead to lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia.

Cortisol is also extremely important in maintaining the body’s appropriate inflammation response. In a normal response to a bee sting or infection, the body rushes antibodies, white blood cells and other cell fighters to the site and the tissues swell while the battle rages. But too much swelling damages tissue. Cortisol controls this fine balance. So without the mediating effects of cortisol, the inflammatory response runs amok and can cause a host of diseases.

If you’re chronically stressed and then experience an additional traumatic event, your body will have trouble returning to a normal state. Over time, you will become more sensitive to trauma or stress, developing a hair-trigger response to events that other people shrug off.

Biomedical researchers say that childhood trauma is biologically embedded in our bodies: Children with adverse childhood experiences and adults who have experienced childhood trauma may respond more quickly and strongly to events or conversations that would not affect those with no ACEs, and have higher levels of indicators for inflammation than those who have not suffered childhood trauma. This wear and tear on the body is the main reason why the lifespan of people with an ACE score of six or higher is likely to be shortened by 20 years. https://acestoohigh.com/aces-101/

https://www.pacesconnection.com/blog/the-developing-brain-and-adverse-childhood-experiences-aces

The Sociopath is Guilty of Deadly Destruction to Human Health

Traumatic stress, caused by unrelenting brutality from the sociopath, affects all systems of the body. The sociopath’s desperate need for narcissistic supply and control drains us of energy. The stress depletes the body of nutrients and leaves the body with symptoms of toxicity. It is no wonder I had to rebuild my body and that it took years to rebuild. It is no wonder that my children have suffered because they have a father who is evil and who does not protect and support his children. Far worse, he enjoyed using them as weapons, using them without empathy and conscience, to get what he wanted. That is as selfish and anti-life as a parent can get. I have learned that when the body experiences stress, from persons who try to destroy us, that copper levels in the body go up and zinc levels go down.

What does copper have to do with mental health?

“When we focus on the key minerals that influence the functionality of our brain, we need to pay close attention to 2 of them: zinc and copper.

To make things simple, you can think of zinc as the ‘balancer’ – it’s the calming, relaxing, stabilising mineral. It is a strong anti-oxidant. It helps you make rational decisions, it helps make the brain’s calming neurotransmitter – GABA, it is the body’s ‘anti-depression’ tool.

Copper on the other hand is what I lovingly call ‘the crazy one’.

Copper is a conductor of electricity – it fires up the brain. It is a pro-oxidant or ‘free radical’. Copper acts as a neuro-toxin when in excess and can alter the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, especially dopamine and noradrenaline.” (Allerton)

“The symptoms relating to copper toxicity syndrome can often be described as an affective disorder of neurotic rather than psychotic nature” (Nolan)

“If your child is anxious, hyper, impulsive, agitated, and has trouble concentrating, remember, copper acts as a stimulant. This produces an adrenaline surge, which is hard for a little, growing body to control. Your child isn’t bad, it just means there is a biochemical difficulty that is correctable.” (Gilbert)

“An important ingredient in the treatment of copper overload is supplementation with zinc. This must be done very slowly and carefully, because zinc mobilizes copper stores. During this process, a person can initially feel even more anxious and symptomatic.” (Tsafrir)

Why haven’t I heard of copper toxicity?

“Now we have the answers to why copper can be good, bad, and what symptoms create the ugly. Let’s pursue why most doctors don’t test for copper toxicity and why it is common and yet not well-known.

The most straightforward answer to this is that doctors do not receive training in nutritional supplementation in medical school. There is no known pharmaceutical to treat copper toxicity properly. Therefore, traditional doctors will not test for something they do not treat. What they will do is treat the symptoms rather than the cause. If you consult your doctor about mood-related symptoms, he/she is likely to dispense an antidepressant without doing any testing. Traditional doctors are unaware that SSRI’s can make anxiety symptoms worse for high copper individuals.” (Tokarz)

Doctors do not receive training in nutritional supplementation in medical school.

Cost of Ignoring Effects of Trauma

Most human beings experience some degree of trauma on Planet Earth. This planet is often one of violence and a horror show. Most are taught to cover up symptoms of trauma with toxic pharmaceutical medications and talk therapy. I have learned that healing trauma is complex and requires more than simplistic answers which cover-up the root of the problem with synthetic chemicals. I have learned that unprocessed trauma leads to both mental and physical health problems. I have witnessed how unprocessed trauma results in alcoholism, anxiety, depression, insomnia, autoimmune disorders, violence, cancer, diabetes, dementia, etc..

Therefore, it is vital that we no longer rely on the mantra “forgive and forget”. We must remember and recover:

We need to release trauma, using for example: 1) EMDR, 2) somatic experiencing, 3) neurofeedback, 4) audio visual entrainment, 5) yoga, 6) acupuncture, 7) body massage, 8) journaling, 9) breathing exercises, 10) nutritional therapies, 11) meditation, 12) gentle exercise, etc. We need to return the body to a baseline state of calm so that we rewire the survival brain pattern and restore nutritional balance.

The Brain is Neuroplastic

The good news is that we now know the brain is neuroplastic. This means the brain can learn a new and healthy neurological pattern!

https://www.pacesconnection.com/blog/the-developing-brain-and-adverse-childhood-experiences-aces

Holistic Healing

I witness a family member, highly traumatized with unprocessed trauma who suffers from dementia, and I wonder if the suffering could have been prevented. I read: “Experiencing trauma, abuse or neglect in childhood may lead to health complications later on, including a higher risk of developing dementia, new research finds (Bushak). Alzheimer’s disease is caused by elevated levels of heavy metals, such as lead, zinc, and copper (Patel and Aschner). Since we now know that stress raises copper levels and lowers zinc levels, did the copper levels get too high and increase the risk of dementia?

“Copper is a cofactor in the synthesis of norepinephrine:

                                      Dopamine Beta-Hydroxylase
         DOPAMINE ————————————————————-> NOREPINEPHRINE (adrenaline)
                                    Copper, Vitamine C and Oxygen

Because of this, when copper is elevated,  dopamine levels decrease and norepinephrine levels rise. Having these neurotransmitters out of balance can be at play in a whole range of problems including anxiety, panic, bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, and autism.   This doesn’t mean that all depression (or these other diagnoses) are caused by copper overload.  Dr. Walsh’s database of chemistries on 10,000 psychiatric patients, show for example, there are five biochemical phenotypes of depression –undermethylation, overmethylation, copper overload, pyroluria and toxic metals.   His research did find, however, that overwhelmingly women with postpartum depression had elevated copper levels.” (Snyder)

“An important ingredient in the treatment of copper overload is supplementation with zinc. This must be done very slowly and carefully, because zinc mobilizes copper stores. During this process, a person can initially feel even more anxious and symptomatic” (Tsafrir). “Not all doctors know how to interpret the results or prescribe appropriate levels of nutrients. The correct combination of minerals, vitamins, and amino acids is vital to bringing individualized biochemistry back into balance.” (Tokarz)

Causes of Neurological Symptoms

“There are some specific causes that can create a sensitive, weakened nervous system. The first is neurotoxins. Viruses such as Epstein-Barr, shingles, HHV-6, and others release neurotoxins which can cause a host of different sensitivities, symptoms and conditions connected to the nervous system. If any underlying viral issues are not addressed, your nervous system can become hypersensitive.

Toxic heavy metals are a second cause. Mercury is extremely harmful and other metals such as aluminum, lead, arsenic, copper, and nickel wreak havoc as well. An alloy of these metals in the brain can oxidize over time, short circuiting neurotransmitters as they run through the neurons. Imagine the neuron is like a stream and the neurotransmitters are like the living water rushing through. Heavy metals are what block and destroy both the stream and the pulsing energy running through it. Heavy metals diminish neurotransmitter and neuron function, breakdown electrical impulses, and can cause seizures if present in the brain and nervous system for extended periods of time. You can learn more about toxic heavy metals here. 

You must stay vigilant to avoid the third cause, MSG. It’s found in many packaged food items these days, even seemingly healthy ones, and hidden behind terms like “natural flavors,” “citric acid,” and “vanilla flavor.” It can even be found in protein shakes and natural herbal teas! MSG eats away at your brain, creates lesions, and breaks down your nervous system, worsening neurological problems.

Chemical sensitivities can also occur when chemicals interact with an already weak, sensitive central nervous system. Symptoms of a sensitive central nervous system might include forgetfulness, word misplacement, bafflement for no reason, confusion, feeling easily rattled or puzzled, brain fog, disorientation, or a feeling of disconnection. Anyone who experiences anxiety or depression has a sensitive central nervous system. Exposure to toxic chemicals can strengthen these symptoms and create new symptoms for someone who is already very sensitive.

A few more causes are aspartame, which severely damages the neurological system and can even cause seizures in certain people. Mold can be a serious trigger as well. Mold doesn’t cause neurological issues but can be a trigger to another underlying cause. Stress can also be a trigger and have a serious negative impact on the central nervous system because of the corrosive adrenaline released when we are under stress. Each person has their own causes that create neurological symptoms. https://www.medicalmedium.com/blog/healing-your-neurological-system

So, I conclude that trauma recovery, for me, includes the need to:

• lower copper levels by adding zinc and removing sources of copper intake
• detox heavy metals
• follow inner, body wisdom, spiritual guidance
• find a holistic healthcare practitioner who is trained in copper toxicity and biochemical nutritional balance
• eat whole foods and avoid processed foods
• avoid narcissists and sociopaths as much as possible
• break the chain of inherited generational trauma
• process trauma rather than suppress it
• retrain the brain and practice a baseline state of calm
• believe we can feel once again, breathe freely, and experience a joyous recovery
• support others in need of trauma informed care

Adverse Childhood Experiences on Long-Term Brain Development and Health

In summary, “when exposed to a toxic environment throughout childhood and adolescence, a person’s fight or-flight response is consistently activated, causing the brain and body to significantly reduce executive functions related to health. This overactivation can lead to severe health problems in adulthood.

In an analysis of the links between severe health problems and ACEs, Crawford County Human Services (2016) identifies the following as possible lifelong effects of severe childhood trauma: obesity, diabetes, depression, suicide attempts, heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), STDs, smoking, alcoholism, and drug use. However, until society addresses ACEs as a public health crisis, the effects of ACEs will be felt for and through generations to come.” (Hesterman)

However, until society addresses ACEs as a public health crisis, the effects of ACEs will be felt for and through generations to come.

Human beings are resilient and can reverse damage perpetrated by sociopaths and traumatic stress.

References:

Allerton, Maria, “Copper: The Key Mineral For Emotional, Hormonal & Mental Health”, https://www.truefoodsnutrition.com.au/metal-plays-mind/

Bushak, L., (2020), “Experiencing Trauma in Childhood Linked to Increased Risk of Developing Dementia: https://www.forbes.com/sites/leciabushak/2020/02/11/experiencing-trauma-in-childhood-linked-to-increased-risk-of-developing-dementia/?sh=12919e9d3526

Gilbert, S., (2021), “Depression, Anxiety, and Copper Toxicity: https://eatfor.life/depression-anxiety-copper-toxicity/

Hesterman, M., (2021), “The Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Long-Term Brain Development and Health”, file:///C:/Users/Pam/Downloads/dbeard,+3717-Academic+Article-17879-1-11-20210429.pdf

Orgeta, V., (2020), “Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Linked to Increased Risk of Dementia”, https://theconversation.com/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-linked-to-increased-risk-of-dementia-new-research-146325#:~:text=Apart%20from%20one%2C%20all%20studies,up%20to%2017%20years%20later

Patel, R. and Aschner, M., (2021), “Commonalities between Copper Neurotoxicity and Alzheimer’s Disease”, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7825595/

Snyder, Courtney, (2015), “Copper Overload – Too Much of a Good Thing”, https://www.courtneysnydermd.com/blog/epigenetics-methylation-mthfr-the-brain-made-easyer

Tokarz, D., (2019), “Why Copper Toxicity Could Be Causing Your Mental Illness Symptoms”, https://www.debtokarz.com/copper-toxicity-2/

Tsafrir, J., (2017) “Copper Toxicity: A Common Cause of Psychiatric Symptoms, Elevated copper is linked to psychiatric and autoimmune condition”, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/holistic-psychiatry/201709/copper-toxicity-common-cause-psychiatric-symptoms

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