Aluminum - Facts, Health Concerns & Metal Flushing

Aluminum

Aluminum (Al) or aluminium is the most readily available metal in the earth's crust.
It is found in the air, water and soil.
It is lightweight, nonmagnetic, silver in color and a good conductor of heat and electricity.
Aluminum is never used on its own but mixed with other metals to improve it's properties.
Aluminum and its compounds are widely used in making various products, such as cookwares, cooking utensils, can food containers, can drinks, food wrappers, kitchen foil wrap, aircraft/rocket parts, home furniture, home decor accessories, drugs (e.g. antacid, indigestion medicine), window grilles, deodorants, toys and etc.
Absoprtion of aluminum in the body is dependent on factors such as the type of aluminum compound, the kind of food, age and health status.
This heavy metal is considered to be harmless to the human body when absorbed in small amounts but just as with any heavy metal (e.g. mercury, lead and cadmium), the body must not be overloaded with this toxin to an extent that it is unable flush it out. Toxic levels accelerate free-radical damage in the body.

WHAT WE EAT
It can leach from cooking utensils and cookware.
Food additives made of aluminum compounds (e.g. sodium aluminum phosphate) are added into food.
Drugs such as antacid contains aluminum hydroxide.
THE AIR WE BREATHE
The amount found in unpolluted air is generally very minimal, however in polluted air, the aluminum content in the air is higher.
THE WATER WE DRINK
Aluminum compounds (e.g. aluminum hydroxide, aluminum sulphate) are used in the water purification process.

Once upon a time, a widely circulated email claimed that using antiperspirant deodorants (most of which contain aluminum chlorohydrate) prevent the lymph glands near the breast from excreting toxins through perspiration which can lead to breast cancer. But at this point there is no medical evidence to support this allegation. Nevertheless, there are aluminum-free deodorants available (see Al-free shoppe).
Health researchers have found that there could be a possible link between aluminum and the development of the following conditions (though findings are not conclusive) :
1. Alzheimer's disease - people with the disease have a higher level of aluminum in the brain.
2. Dementia in kidney dialysis patients - having to expose to high levels of aluminum in dialysis fluids and medication, people undergoing dialysis could develop dialysis encephalopathy, a form of dementia.
3. Lou Gehrig's disease and Parkinson's disease - exposure to high levels of aluminum is said to contribute to the development of this neurological disorder.

To help elminate the body from heavy metal toxins, here are some flushing methods :
1. Drink filtered water.
2. Milk thistle, also known as St Mary's thistle is a well-known liver tonic. The liver is a very important organ because it gets rid of toxins in the body. This herb protects the liver against toxins and can help repair damaged liver cells (hepatocytes).
3. According to Dr. Heinerman in his book Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Healing Juices (Prentice Hall, 1994), he states that carrot juice is able to discharge heavy metals from the system.
4. Ms. Caroline Wheater author of Juicing for Health (Thorsons, 2001), has listed certain fruits and vegetables as the best cleansing juices and they include apples, pineapples, watermelons, carrots and beets.