Foods that absorb mercury are primarily large, predatory fish and shellfish like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tuna, because mercury bioaccumulates up the food chain; however, certain foods can help reduce its absorption or aid in removal, such as selenium-rich foods (Brazil nuts, eggs), sulfur-rich foods (garlic, onions, cruciferous veggies), and foods with fiber (algae/seaweed) and vitamin C.
Increase Antioxidant-Rich Foods: Include leafy greens, berries, and cruciferous vegetables to combat oxidative stress caused by mercury. Boost Fiber Intake: Foods like flaxseeds and chia seeds aid in binding and removing toxins through the digestive tract.
Mercury vapor in the oral cavity may be inhaled into the lungs and absorbed through the respiratory system. Metal ions may pass into the oral fluid and be ingested in the gastrointestinal tract. Mercury vapor or inorganic mercury is distributed by the blood to most of the organs in the body.
Treatment of mercury toxicity may require the same kind of chelation therapy used to treat lead toxicity. Mercury is difficult to eliminate from brain tissue. Increased intake of vitamin C, selenium, and the fibers pectin and alginate (from seaweeds) can lower absorption and help eliminate mercury from your body.
Studies have shown that dietary vitamin C can reduce the mercury toxicity in terms of reducing mercury concentrations in blood and tissues especially liver and kidney tissues through the urinary excretion as well as enhance the immune responses in organisms (Hounkpatin et al., 2012; Lee et al., 2016).
Symptoms include tremors, insomnia, memory loss, neuromuscular effects, headaches and cognitive and motor dysfunction. Mild, subclinical signs of central nervous system toxicity can be seen in workers exposed to an elemental mercury level in the air of 20 μg/m3 or more for several years.
Cilantro is a good herb to be consumed to remove heavy metals and can reduce the formation of heavy metals such as mercury and lead in the body (37).
Foods high in mercury
Mercury's half-life, or the time it takes for your body to eliminate half of the mercury it contains, varies depending on the form of mercury and the organ that it is stored in. Methylmercury, for example, can persist in your body for several months, while elemental mercury can remain in the brain for years.
High exposure to inorganic mercury may result in damage to the gastrointestinal tract, the nervous system, and the kidneys. Both inorganic and organic mercury are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and affect other systems through this route.
Severe symptoms of heavy metal poisoning that can be life threatening include:
The metal builds up in your bloodstream over time. It slowly leaves the body through urine, stool, and breast milk. For most people, eating a small amount of fish high in mercury isn't a health concern.
Chelation therapy is sometimes the best or only way to remove toxic heavy metals from your body. Removing these metals can protect your organs from serious and sometimes life-threatening damage.
The average mercury content in whole eggs ranged from 0.312 to 0.375 µg Hg/egg, and was not significantly different among the tested groups. The Hg content in various egg components (albumen, yolk, eggshell) of the treatment groups during six weeks of the experiment (series II-V) is presented in Table 3.
However, most people have mercury levels in their bodies below the level associated with possible health effects. Nearly all methylmercury exposures in the United States occur through eating fish and shellfish that contain higher levels of methylmercury.
The unhealthiest fish to eat are typically large, predatory species high in mercury like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and imported tilefish, plus bluefin tuna, which are dangerous for brain/nerve health, especially for pregnant women and children; also, farmed salmon and some imported tilapia/catfish raise concerns for contaminants and antibiotics, while orange roughy and Atlantic cod are often cited for high mercury and overfishing/sustainability issues.
Electrical switches and relays - typically contains about 3.5 grams of mercury in SOME chest freezers, pre-1972 washing machines, sump pumps, electric space heaters, clothes irons, silent light switches and automatic car hood & trunk lights. Some athletic shoes (made before 1997 ONLY) with flashing lights in soles.
Tomatoes, blueberries, spirulina, and garlic bind to heavy metals and remove them. Broccoli, kale, and beans are high in calcium and iron, two nutrients that block lead absorption. Heavy metals create free radicals, which can cause serious illnesses if levels get too high.
Other mercury removal options include home remedies such as eating a nutrient- and vitamin-rich diet, increasing fibre intake, and drinking more water to flush out mercury from the body.
King mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, tilefish, ahi tuna, and bigeye tuna all contain high levels of mercury. Women who are pregnant or nursing or who plan to become pregnant within a year should avoid eating these fish.
Symptoms of Heavy Metal Toxicity
Numbness. Tingling or tremors. Muscle tics and twitches. Brain fog.
Some people have very mild symptoms and after treatment to remove the compound from their body, remain in good health after exposure. More severe cases of mercury exposure lead to a poor prognosis. Elemental mercury, if inhaled, can cause permanent lung damage and potential brain damage.
Because of this agent's ease of use, good efficacy, and safety, initiate treatment with DMSA if good evidence indicates that significant absorption can occur (mercury levels may not be readily available). DMSA is the chelator of choice in cases of chronic or mild toxicity.