I’m sure most of our readers have read and heard that aluminum can be harmful to our health. Perhaps you’ve learned not to use aluminum cookware (at least I hope that you have.) And if you’ve not heard about avoiding personal underarm deodorants containing aluminum, let me say that is most definitely something you want to do.
Dr. Blaylock says, “That aluminum is toxic to the brain has been known since 1911, yet it has been all but ignored until the last several decades. Until recently, scientists assumed that aluminum was poorly absorbed in the GI tract, and was therefore not a significant problem. The reason aluminum even became an issue was that large amounts were being added to antacids.
“Research shows that certain food components, such as citrate and malate (organic acids), can increase the absorption of aluminum as much as six times the normal rate. This means that all citrus fruits, such as lemons, grapefruit, and oranges, dramatically increase the absorption of aluminum from the GI tract and increase its entry into the brain. This is why I tell people not to put lemons in their tea — black tea (the type most people drink) has very high levels of aluminum, and the citrate from the lemon significantly increases absorption in the GI tract.”
http://thecoachingpair.com/aluminum-and-the-brain/
Dr. Blaylock goes on to address the issue of aluminum being added to our municipal drinking water. I haven’t consumed unfiltered municipal water for decades but I still had no idea it contained aluminum! Dr. Blaylock pointed out the significantly higher incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in areas with public water systems with added aluminum.
He related a very startling story of doctors in several hospitals in the 1980’s who noticed that some of their dialysis patients were developing unusual symptoms, such as muscle spasms, hallucinations, and a rapid onset of dementia. Several patients died before the mystery was solved. It was later discovered that these patients had high levels of aluminum in their brain and blood. The source of the aluminum was the tap water being used for the dialysis!
Some of the major food sources of aluminum are commercial baked goods such as biscuits, pancakes, and most all other baked goods containing baking powder. Commercial baking powder contains aluminum. Rumford brand does NOT contain aluminum, but food processors rarely use that brand. As previously mentioned, black tea also contains high aluminum levels.
However, the number one food source of aluminum is SOY products. Soybeans are naturally high in aluminum, along with being high in glutamate, manganese, and fluoride, all of which are known to be neurotoxins (toxic to the brain cells.) He is hard-hitting against soy! Processed foods, medications, and drinks are loaded with aluminum.
Even though aluminum is not considered to be a heavy metal like lead, it can be toxic in excessive amounts and even in small amounts if it is deposited in the brain. Many of the symptoms of aluminum toxicity mimic those of Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis. Colic, rickets, gastrointestinal problems, interference with the metabolism of calcium, extreme nervousness, anemia, headaches, decreased liver and kidney function, memory loss, speech problems, softening of the bones, and aching muscles can all be caused by aluminum toxicity.
Aluminum is excreted by the kidneys, therefore toxic amounts can impair kidney function. Aluminum can also accumulate in the brain causing seizures and reduced mental alertness. The brain is normally protected by a blood-brain barrier, which filters the blood before it reaches it. Elemental aluminum does not pass easily through this barrier, but certain compounds contained within aluminum, such as aluminum fluoride do. Interestingly, many municipal water supplies are treated with both aluminum sulfate and aluminum fluoride. These two chemicals can also combine easily in the blood. Aluminum fluoride is also poorly excreted in the urine.
When there is a high level of absorption of aluminum and silicon, the combination can result in an accumulation of certain compounds in the cerebral cortex and can prevent nerve impulses being carried to and from the brain properly. Long term calcium deficiency can further aggravate the condition. Workers in aluminum smelting plants on a long term basis, have been know to experience dizziness, poor coordination, balance problems and tiredness. It has been claimed that the accumulation of aluminum in the brain could be a possible cause for these issues.
It is estimated that the normal person takes in between 3 and 10 milligrams of aluminum per day. Aluminum is the most abundant metallic element produced by the earth. It can be absorbed into the body through the digestive tract, the lungs and the skin, and is also absorbed by and accumulates in the bodies tissues. Aluminum is found naturally in our air, water and soil. It is also used in the process of making cooking pots and pans, utensils and foil. Other items such as over the counter pain killers, anti-inflammatory products, and douche preparations can also contain aluminum. Aluminum is also an additive in most baking powders, is used in food processing, and is present in antiperspirants, toothpaste, dental amalgams, bleached flour, grated cheese, table salt, and beer, (especially when the beer is in aluminum cans). The biggest source of aluminum, however, comes from our municipal water supplies.
Excessive use of antacids is also a common cause of aluminum toxicity in this country, especially for those who have kidney problems. Many over the counter type antacids contain amounts of aluminum hydroxide that may be to much for the kidneys to handle properly.
So, what can we do to prevent aluminum toxicity from happening to ourselves and our families?
1. Eat a diet that is high in fiber and includes apple pectin.
2. Use stainless steel, glass, or iron cookware. Stainless steel is the best choice.
3. Beware of any product containing aluminum or dihydroxyaluminum.
4. A hair analysis can be used to determine levels of aluminum in the body.
5. Research has shown that the longer you cook food in aluminum pots, the more they corrode, and the more aluminum is absorbed into the food and hence into the body. Aluminum is more readily dissolved by acid forming foods, such as coffee, cheese, meat, black and green tea, cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, turnips, spinach and radishes.
6. Acid rain leeches aluminum out of the soil and into drinking water.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art7739.asp
Autopsies on a large amount of people who have died of Alzheimer’s disease showed accumulations of up to four times the normal amount of aluminum in the nerve cells in the brain, especially in the hippocampus which plays a central role in memory.
So what products should we be avoiding?
Aluminum Cookware
A study done by the University of Cincinnati Medical Center showed that using aluminum pots and pans to cook tomatoes doubled the aluminum content of the tomatoes, from 2 to 4 milligrams per serving.
Antacids
Many name brand antacids contain aluminum hydroxide.
Aluminum free antacids are also available such as Alka-Seltzer, Alka Mints, Di-Gel tablets, Maalox caplets, Mylanta gel caps, Rolaids tablets, Titralac, and Tums E-X.
Antidiarrheal Products
Watch labels carefully for any mention of aluminum salts.
Products containing loperamide such as Imodium AD usually do not contain aluminum salts.
Buffered Aspirin
Buffered aspirin can contain up to 14.4 to 88 milligrams of aluminum hydroxide or aluminum glycinate. Ordinary aspirin is aluminum free as are many other pain killers.
Containers
Aluminum coated waxed containers, used especially for orange and pineapple juices, cause juices inside to absorb aluminum. Beer and soft drinks that are stored in aluminum cans also absorb small quantities of aluminum. Bottled beverages are better.
Deodorants
Many deodorants and antiperspirants and even some skin powders contain aluminum chlorhydrate. Aluminum in this form is more readily absorbed into the brain via the nasal passages.
Douches
Many popular douche products contain aluminum salts. A homemade version of vinegar and water can be substituted.
Food Additives
Cake mixes, frozen doughs, self-rising flour, and sliced process cheese food all contain from 5 to 50 milligrams of sodium aluminum phosphate per average serving. Baking powder has 5 to 70 milligrams of sodium aluminum sulfate per teaspoon. Starch modifiers and anti caking agents also contain varying levels of aluminum compounds. The processed cheeses used on cheese burgers at fast food restaurants also contain aluminum, which is added to make the cheese melt better.
Shampoos
A number of anti-dandruff preparations contain magnesium aluminum silicate. Watch labels carefully for aluminum lauryl sulfate, which is a common ingredient in many popular shampoo products.