(NaturalHealth365)  Truth be told, the presence of aluminum in the environment is nothing new.  This naturally-occurring metal is the third most prevalent element on the planet.  But, to be clear: aluminum has no biological value inside the human body – which makes the demand for an effective way to detox more important than most people can imagine.

No doubt, the modern ‘abundance’ of aluminum in processed foods, cookware, food storage wraps and medications has raised concerns among many integrative healthcare providers – who view the accumulated toxicity of aluminum to be a contributing factor to the rising rates of autism and Alzheimer’s disease.

Now, a study highlights the ability of silicon-rich mineral water to safely decrease levels of aluminum in the body.  Even more encouragingly, consumption of this kind of water was associated with improvements in cognition among individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

Why an effective way to detox aluminum is so important

To repeat the undeniable truth: aluminum – which has no nutritional value and serves no purpose in the human body – can enter the system through ingestion, inhalation or absorption.  This unwanted metal then accumulates in the lungs, liver, thyroid, bone and brain – where it can cause harmful oxidative stress in tissues and cells.

One of the primary reasons for the alarm over aluminum is that autopsies of patients with Alzheimer’s disease have shown elevated levels of inflammation-causing aluminum in the brain.

And, animal studies have shown that increased aluminum accumulation is associated with the formation of neurofibrillary tangles associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Note: animal studies have shown that aluminum is associated with problems with learning, cognition, memory and coordination in non-aged animals as well.

In addition, some research suggests that aluminum inhibits the uptake of important neurotransmitters – such as dopamine, norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine – needed for restful sleep, stable mood, cognition and alertness.

Aluminum associated with many other health problems – including NAFLD

Aluminum toxicity can play havoc with a wide variety of body systems – and lead to many chronic disease conditions.

Because aluminum interferes with the metabolism of iron, chronic exposure can cause anemia.

Aluminum toxicity can also cause or worsen nonalcoholic fatty liver disease – which is currently approaching epidemic proportions in the industrialized world.  And, aluminum toxicity has been associated with kidney damage – as well as with increased risk of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

According to Analytical Research Labs, Inc., the prevalence of aluminum toxicity has soared recently, with 80 percent of individuals tested for metal toxicity displaying excessively high levels of aluminum in hair samples.

Note: hair samples are generally considered as among the most reliable ways of evaluating metal toxicity – as long as hair has not been washed at the laboratory prior to testing.

Early symptoms of aluminum toxicity include headaches, colic, dry skin, heartburn, flatulence and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.

According to ARL, more advanced symptoms of aluminum toxicity can involve memory loss, confusion and paralytic muscular conditions.

Study reveals: Just three months of drinking a ‘special kind’ of water yields encouraging results

In a study conducted by Professor Christopher Exley, PhD and published in Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, volunteers with Alzheimer’s disease drank a liter of silicon-rich mineral water a day for twelve weeks. (Silicon is a naturally-occurring metalloid element that appears in foods such as Bell peppers, soybeans and asparagus. It is also present in mineral water).

And the results were impressive.

Dr. Exley – a professor of Bioinorganic Chemistry at Keele University – reported that the consumption of the mineral water led to decreases of up to 70 percent in the volunteers’ body burden of aluminum.

And, drinking the silicon-rich water for 12 weeks produced significant, clinically relevant improvements in cognitive functioning among some of the participants – with no reported side effects.

Dr. Exley explained that the soluble silicon found in mineral water follows water molecules through the intestinal walls and into the bloodstream, where it then combines with aluminum to form a compound called hydroxyaluminosilicate.

This substance is more easily filtered from the blood than aluminum is, causing more efficient excretion via the kidneys and urine.

This exciting research suggests that drinking a liter a day of silicon-rich mineral water is a safe, inexpensive and effective natural method of accelerating the removal of aluminum from the body.

Dr. Exley advises both the Fiji and Volvic brands as containing optimal amounts of silicon. (Check the label to make sure the brand contains a minimum concentration of 30 mg/L, or 30 ppm, of silica.)

Health tip: For maximum benefit, opt for unsweetened, unflavored varieties of mineral water.

Incidentally, Dr. Exley is not the only health expert to advise using silicon or silica formulations to detoxify aluminum.

Christine Schaffner, ND, a board-certified naturopathic physician and noted aluminum toxicity expert, also recommends Enterosgel, a silica-based binder, to reduce the body burden of aluminum.

Reduce aluminum exposure with common-sense choices

While it is impossible to avoid all aluminum, you can reduce your exposure significantly.

Simple steps include bypassing the use of aluminum cookware, aluminum foil wrapping and aluminum cans – especially when it comes to acidic foods and beverages.  Experts warn that cooking tomatoes in an aluminum pan, or sipping juice from a can, could lead, over time, to aluminum toxicity in susceptible individuals.

Carefully checking labels of health and beauty products can help you detect aluminum in unexpected places.

For instance, aluminum is found in antiperspirants, in the form of aluminum chlorhydrate.

Aluminum is also in commercial antacids such as Rolaids, Maalox and Mylanta. (Note: the Tums brand, however, is free of aluminum).

Even if you’re ‘symptom-free,’ don’t ignore these warnings

As you can imagine – by now, the importance of a high-quality personal water filtration system can’t be overstated.  Just make sure your system for water purification removed aluminum – before you buy.

Of course, no discussion about aluminum would be complete without warning you about the the current vaccine schedule and geoengineering programs designed to ‘control’ the weather.  These are two of the biggest ways that people are getting exposed to aluminum.

Plus, as if the above mentioned sources weren’t enough, aluminum can appear in foodstuffs such as cocoa, baking powder and even salt.  But, you can still benefit from small – yet significant – changes.  For example, just opt for sea salt over (heavily processed) commercial salt.

In addition to drinking mineral water, you can detoxify your body with proper nutrition, along with appropriate dosages of vitamin C and E.

Other natural neutralizers include chlorella, cilantro, the mineral selenium, the herb horsetail (naturally rich in silica) and the amino acid N-acetyl-cysteine.

Of course, always consult with an experienced integrative physician before supplementing – or before undergoing any sort of detoxification program.

Finally, don’t forget the garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, arugula and kale). These beneficial foods can help promote the production of glutathione – the body’s ‘master antioxidant.’

Our current era has been dubbed “The Age of Aluminum” – for good reason.  But mineral water – safe, non-invasive and cost-effective – just might be your most important ally for surviving it.

So, raise a glass (of mineral water) to your health!

Sources for this article include:

HippocraticPost.com
ARLTMA.com
NaturalHealth365