10 Natural Remedies For Detoxing Heavy Metals
An underrated health hack most people don’t consider is a heavy metal detox. Cleansing your body by detoxing heavy metals that have accumulated can lead to a boost in energy as well as other health benefits. If you have noticed a lack of energy, frequent headaches, and some other ailments and decided it was time to dig deeper, you’re in the right place. Bionox encourages everyone to embrace the idea of “motivating wellness” and to take charge of their own health with natural remedies that are backed by science.
In this article, you will find out what you need to know about heavy metals and how to detox them from your body. I will go over how they enter your body, symptoms of exposure and accumulation, and which natural remedies you can use to remove these heavy metals from your body.
The Basics Of Heavy Metals
Cleansing your body from heavy metals takes time and consistency. Each heavy metal has a different half-life. Half-life means the time it takes for half of a substance to undergo a process. In terms of removing toxic metals, the half-life is the time it takes for half the atoms that make up the metal to break down. The longer the half-life, the longer it takes your body to get rid of the metal. For the most toxic of heavy metals, you are looking at several months to a couple of years. This will depend on the level of contamination and your overall health.
How Do You Get Heavy Metals In Your Body?
Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements. These metals reside within the earth’s crust. Furthermore, heavy metals are also found in the environment. This is due to man-made industries and pollution. Because of factories and mining waste, heavy metals are found in the soil, water, and air. Also, heavy metals are found in many of our food sources. These sources include fish, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products. The most common ways heavy metals get into your body are through drinking water and diet. However, other methods of exposure include:
- Skin Contact
- Air Pollution
- Workplace Hazards
- Fertilizers
- Pesticides
- Landfills
How Do You Remove Heavy Metals From Your Body?
Your body has a natural detox system consisting of several organs working together to remove harmful toxins. These organs are the liver, kidneys, lymph nodes, and intestines (GI tract). So any effort to cleanse your body should take organ support for these organs into consideration.
What Are The Symptoms To Look Out For?
If you are dealing with any of these symptoms listed below, it might be an indication of heavy metal exposure and/or accumulation.
- High Blood Pressure
- Sleeping Problems
- Digestion Problems
- Chronic Fatigue
- Lack of Energy
- Frequent Headaches
- Skin Problems
- Memory Loss
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Muscle Pain
- Joint Pain
This list is not exhaustive, but these are several common symptoms to look for.
What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Exposure?
Once heavy metals enter your body, they cause damage to the liver, kidneys, brain, nervous system, and many other areas. They also allow for various diseases to take hold. The worst-case scenario is cancer, and heavy metals contribute to the development of many forms of cancer. Listed below are several diseases that heavy metals trigger.
- Liver Cancer
- Intestinal Cancer
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Chronic Inflammation
- Adrenal Fatigue
- Skin Cancer
- Fibromyalgia
Gauging The Toxicity Of Heavy Metals
There are between 30-40 heavy metals, depending on the source of information. However, there are 23 that are of concern to us. Out of those 23 heavy metals, we need a few in small concentrations for various body functions. Examples of heavy metals that benefit us in small doses are copper, cobalt, nickel, and iron. The metals that are most toxic to humans are arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium. So now that we know the basics of heavy metals, it’s time to look at the natural remedies for detoxing from heavy metals.
Natural Remedies For Detoxing From Heavy Metals
As a starting point, it is important to realize complete avoidance is impossible in the modern world, so the focus is to minimize exposure and promote cleansing for the inevitable exposure. Adding the following natural remedies to your detox regimen will help your body flush heavy metals and other harmful toxins.
1. Garlic
This vegetable is not only a great flavor addition to most meals but contains sulfur. Sulfur is a great way to help the body detox from heavy metals such as arsenic. Garlic also contains antioxidants that help reduce inflammation issues brought on by heavy metal accumulation. An easy way to incorporate more garlic into your diet is to add it to your meals as a flavor enhancer. You can dice garlic and add it to various types of meat, soups, stews, and spreads. Furthermore, you can use organic garlic powder as a spice for various recipes.
2. Onion
Onion works the same way as garlic, containing various sulfur compounds that research shows help the body detoxify from heavy metals. Furthermore, onion is useful like garlic in many ways as a flavor enhancer. Onions are great to chop and dice. They are great eaten fried or sauteéd. Also, you can add diced onions to soups and stews, or skillet fry onions with garlic and different types of meat. Pairing onions with garlic is common, and both will work to help the body flush out toxins thanks to the sulfur compounds they both contain.
3. Spirulina
This algae is a common ingredient in most green powder supplements on the market today, and for good reason. Spirulina contains chlorophyll and other chelating agents that pull heavy metals out of the blood and help the body detoxify from them. Spirulina also acts as organ support, helping the liver, brain, and nervous system get rid of heavy metals that have accumulated there.
4. Probiotics
If you’re looking for something that will detoxify your body from heavy metals via improving gut health, this is what you need. Probiotics help the good bacteria in your gut do their job, which can reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, and upset stomach. These also help the gut detoxify from heavy metals that may have accumulated there. Since the GI tract helps us get rid of toxins, keeping it healthy should be a priority. You can get probiotics from foods such as yogurt and kefir.
5. Wild Blueberries
Like with any food option, you want to go for wild and/or organic when possible. This will help you limit exposure to pesticides that can contain heavy metals. Blueberries contain a plethora of antioxidants that reduce inflammation. Furthermore, blueberries help your lymph nodes and brain remove heavy metals. Blueberries are a delicious food you can add to any smoothie or fruit bowl. You can also add blueberries to cereal, oatmeal, and salads as a side.
6. Milk Thistle
This herb is incredibly popular as a liver detoxifier. Milk thistle contains silymarin, a compound with antioxidant properties that is very bioavailable. Silybin can inhibit toxins from binding to cell membrane receptors. A healthy daily dose is up to 300mg daily. It can be found as a capsule supplement or as a tea. (PRO TIP: Add honey to give it a sweeter flavor if you go for the tea option).
7. Grapefruit
Grapefruit, as well as any fruit/vegetable high in vitamin C, works wonders as an antioxidant. A daily dosage of approximately 3000mg will help reduce inflammation and destroy free radicals created by heavy metal accumulation and oxidative stress. You can eat grapefruit as it is or add it to salads for a citrus flavor (PRO TIP: a light sprinkle of sugar tastes amazing on grapefruit).
8. Dandelion
This edible plant can aid blood circulation as well as help the body detoxify from heavy metals. The root of the dandelion is particularly helpful to the liver and the brain. Dandelion is also known to be beneficial for the spleen and prostate. The leaves of a dandelion can be added to salads as they have a bitter taste, but are somewhat peppery like Arugula. The blossoms can be eaten on salads as well or simply used as a garnish if you do not want to eat them. Dandelion root can be boiled and drank as a tea or consumed in capsule form.
9. Cilantro
This herb is well known as a natural chelating agent, binding to heavy metals to make them easier to be flushed out in urine and feces. It is a common herb that can be added to plenty of types of meat and types of pasta as a flavor enhancer. Cilantro is particularly common in Hispanic and Mediterranean dishes, so there is no shortage of recipes you can add cilantro to.
10. Dulse Seaweed
This seaweed can bind to heavy metals such as mercury and lead. Similar to some heavy metals, this seaweed can cross the blood-brain barrier. This seaweed is super helpful for removing mercury from the body. If you need to detoxify from heavy metals that do not like to leave, dulse seaweed is a great natural remedy to have. You can find supplements in powder and capsule form online.
Final Thoughts On Detoxing From Heavy Metals
There are numerous natural remedies available online and in stores. However, if you want to know for sure if you need to detox from heavy metals, you have to get tested. Doctors can test your hair, saliva, and blood for traces of heavy metal accumulation. Once you know for sure, you can implement these natural remedies into your routine and start detoxing from heavy metals.
How To Detox From Heavy Metals
Heavy metal exposure is something we all deal with. While our modern lives give us a host of benefits over our ancestors, it has their drawbacks. The downside of all our innovations in various industries that make life more convenient is pollution. This pollution creates various toxins that invade our air, soil, water, and food. some of these toxins include heavy metals. Heavy metals can create all sorts of problems once inside our bodies. Detoxing from these heavy metals should be a priority. However, we want to make sure we detox from these metals the right way. This article will help provide some practical know-how to make sure you detox from heavy metals safely.
First Things First…What Are Heavy Metals?
Heavy metals are naturally occurring compounds found in the earth’s crust that are denser than water. However, their pervasive nature has been exacerbated thanks to human intervention due to various industries creating a widespread excessive distribution. Some industries that use heavy metals include:
- Medical industry
- Agriculture
- Technology
- Automotive
- Engineering
Now that heavy metal exposure is inevitable, a detox from these heavy metals may be needed by more and more people every day.
Are All Heavy Metals Bad?
The toxicity of many heavy metals depends on the concentrations we are exposed to. Not all heavy metals are harmful to us in trace amounts. In fact, we need a few of these metals just to stay alive. Heavy metals such as Manganese, Zinc, Copper, and Iron have an array of health benefits such as:
- Immune support
- bone health
- red blood cell health
- oxygen delivery throughout the body
- brain function
With this in mind, it is helpful to get tested to see which heavy metals you have accumulated to make sure you are stripping away the harmful heavy metals when you detox from heavy metals.
How Do Heavy Metals End Up In Our Bodies?
Unfortunately, there are many ways heavy metals can invade the body. If you live near any metal factories or industrial areas, you could be inhaling vapors that contain toxic metals such as mercury, cadmium, or arsenic. Also, you can be exposed to heavy metals through the water you drink. A commonly cited example of this would be the water disaster in Flint, Michigan. These people experienced excessive lead levels in their water due to a poorly kept infrastructure.
Another route for exposure can be skin contact. Skin is semi-permeable, meaning some things can seep into the body through skin absorption. Furthermore, another route of exposure can be the foods we eat. Specific crops could be contaminated with arsenic through soil contamination. Specific fish can be contaminated with mercury and lead through water pollution.
With all these routes of exposure, it is easy to see why a detox from these heavy metals may be necessary for many of us.
How Do We Reduce Exposure?
COMPLETELY eliminating heavy metal exposure is simply impossible in our modern world. However, we can reduce exposure to toxic heavy metals. Some steps you can take today that will reduce heavy metal exposure include:
- Invest in a quality water filter for your home.
- Spend that little extra money on organic fruits and veggies free of pesticides.
- Increase your nitric oxide production naturally or through supplements.
- Check the source for your seafood, especially for fish such as salmon, tuna, swordfish, and sardines.
- Look into supplements that will improve natural drainage pathways such as bowel movements, urination, and sweating.
Being preventative and responsive will limit the damage that heavy metal exposure can do and limit the need to detox from heavy metals often.
How Do I Know If I Have Heavy Metals In My System?
Simply put, the only way to be 100% sure is to go visit your doctor and order testing to be done on your blood, hair follicles, and/or saliva. These tests can tell you what heavy metals have accumulated in your body and to what extent. If you have excess levels of toxic metals, your doctor can then set you on a plan to detox from these metals.
If you have not been tested for heavy metal toxicity but you think you might be suffering from heavy metal exposure, there are symptoms to look for. Some of these symptoms are:
- frequent headaches
- nausea
- dizziness
- fainting
- muscle and joint pains
- high blood pressure
- anemia
- cognitive issues such as memory loss and difficulty focusing
- cardiovascular problems
Obviously, these symptoms can also be related to other health problems, which is why you need to get tested to know for sure. However, if you are experiencing many of these symptoms, heavy metal exposure could be a potential reason.
How Do I Detox From Heavy Metals?
Simply put, there are several ways you can detox from heavy metals. We will explore three of the most common detox methods that can be done with a doctor and at home.
#1: Detoxing From Heavy Metals Via Chelation Therapy
Chelation therapy is a medical procedure that can be done with a doctor or at home. This method involves introducing compounds called chelating agents into the body. These molecules bind to the metal molecules and help the body either dissolve or excrete them via feces or urine. While this method can be done at home, it is still recommended to be done with a practitioner or doctor present. This is because chelation can also remove the essential heavy metals you need to stay healthy as well. As I said earlier, certain heavy metals such as iron and zinc are needed in trace amounts. Chelation therapy can strip these essential minerals as well, so do your research and talk to your doctor before engaging in chelation therapy by yourself.
A solid option for those looking to engage in chelation therapy at home with minimal risk would be to look at supplements that contains multiple ingredients proven to detox the body from heavy metals. Some of these ingredients include EDTA, modified citrus pectin, and cilantro extract.
#2: Detoxing From Heavy Metals Via A Liver Cleanse
The liver is the body’s built-in detoxifier. Therefore, keeping the liver functioning optimally is in your best interest. One way to do that is with a liver cleanse. Some methods commonly used to help cleanse the liver are:
- Removing processed foods from your diet
- Eating more nitrate-rich veggies
- Consuming beets, spinach, and other potassium-rich foods
- Consuming Tumeric
- Eating Liver (like supports like)
Keeping your body’s detoxifier clean and functioning optimally is a great way to make sure your liver can detox your body from heavy metal exposure.
#3: Detoxing From Heavy Metals Via A Metal Detox Diet
There are plenty of foods that will help you detox from heavy metals. However, we will focus on just a few of the most common ones for this article. A diet that would help your body detox from heavy metals would include the following:
- Leafy greens. Organic leafy greens such as spinach, kale, swiss chard, celery, arugula, and beet greens are all powerful foods that help the body detox from metals. They are packed with antioxidants, nitrates, and essential nutrients your body needs to function optimally.
- Special herbs and spices. Some of these herbs include cilantro, cinnamon, parsley, and basil. These herbs contain anti-inflammatory properties and some like cilantro contain chelating agents which bind to the heavy metals in your blood to make removal easier. Cilantro is especially helpful in promoting the detox of metals such as mercury and lead.
- Water. Yes, this one is a given, but you would be surprised how dense some people are. Water is needed to stay alive, but also to detox from metals. Drinking adequate water will help your body flush toxins more effectively.
- Garlic and onion. Garlic contains sulfur, which helps the liver detoxify itself of heavy metals. Onion is also a sulfur-containing vegetable. Both are versatile and can be prepared and eaten in various recipes and styles. Add these to your daily diet so your liver can do its job effectively.
As I said, these are not the only foods you can use to create a diet to detox from heavy metals, but it covers most of the bases. Other honorable mentions include blueberries, flax seeds, and vitamin C-rich foods. Foods to avoid would include farmed fish, non-organic foods, tobacco products, and alcohol (especially beer).
What To Do After A Detox
Being vigilant should be your next step after detoxing from heavy metals. Since heavy metals are in our environment and diets, you can never avoid exposure to some degree. Therefore, keeping an eye on your daily life is the best course of action. Some steps to take after detoxing are:
- Make sure your body can remove daily exposure.
- Eat some of the detox foods listed above each day.
- Get tested on a scheduled basis (bi-annually or annually).
- Consider supplements such as milk thistle, Tumeric, and others that can promote chelation and organ function.
- Create a daily cleaning juice such as mixing spinach with citrus juice.
Use this article as a starting point and take the steps to detox from heavy metals safely. Remember, to be absolutely sure if heavy metal exposure is causing any of the symptoms in the article you are experiencing, you have to be tested. Go get tested if you are worried and go from there. If you are just being proactive, the steps to detox above will help tremendously. For more tips on dealing with heavy metal exposure and other healthy living tips, check out the rest of our blog here.
Six Reasons You Need A Heavy Metal Detox
Though you may not realize it, you have been exposed to heavy metals nearly every day for your entire life. These metals are in the soil under your feet, the water you drink, the air you breathe, and even in the food that you eat. There is no escape. You have to accept that. Therefore, the focus should not be on trying to prevent ANY exposure, but rather focus on detoxing from inevitable exposure. This article will explore several reasons why a heavy metal detox is beneficial for you, even if you are unsure if you suffer from heavy metal exposure.
What Are Heavy Metals?
To understand why a metal detox is beneficial, you need to understand what heavy metals are. Heavy metals are naturally occurring metallic compounds. These compounds can be found in the earth’s crust. However, they are also the result of industrial pollution and can be found in the soil, water, and air. There are about 35-40 metals total that are naturally occurring, but only 23 are deemed heavy metals. These 23 heavy metals are:
- Antimony
- Arsenic
- Bismuth
- Cadmium
- Cerium
- Chromium
- Cobalt
- Copper
- Gallium
- Gold
- Iron
- Lead
- Manganese
- Mercury
- Nickel
- Platinum’
- Silver
- Tellurium
- Thallium
- Tin
- Uranium
- Vanadium
- Zinc
What makes these metals so complicated is that some of them we need in small concentrations for optimal health. Furthermore, most of the exposure to these heavy metals occurs in our environment and diet, which is why avoiding exposure altogether is just impossible. So before we look at heavy metal detox reasons, let’s look at that thin line between the good and bad heavy metals.
Heavy Metals: The “Good” Ones…
I use the term “good” loosely because these heavy metals are only good when consumed in small concentrations. Have you ever heard the phrase, “too much of a good thing can be bad for you?” If exposure to these metals occurs in excess, it will lead to the same outcome as the more toxic heavy metals. Here are a few examples of “good” heavy metals and what they do for us when consumed in the right amounts.
- Copper. This metal helps with:
- forming collagen
- making red blood cells
- promoting bone density
- Iron. This metal helps with:
- helps with hemoglobin production
- helps with hormone production
- helps create myoglobin
- Zinc. This metal helps with:
- helps reduce inflammation
- supports immune function
- promotes gut health
Other metals that promote overall health in trace amounts include cobalt, chromium, manganese, and nickel.
Heavy Metals: The Toxic Ones
While some heavy metals are beneficial to our health in trace amounts, others are generally toxic and do us no good. You would definitely want these metals detoxed. These include lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium to name a few. These will wreak havoc if exposure is prolonged and each carries a plethora of negative side effects for both acute exposure poisoning and long-term exposure. Some of these long-term effects include:
- neurological damage
- liver damage
- kidney damage
- GI tract damage
- lung damage
- cardiovascular problems
- increased risk of multiple cancers
Several acute symptoms include:
- fatigue
- muscle aches
- joint pain
- headaches
- nausea
- vomiting
- numbness
- dizziness
- fainting spells
Metals can create an array of cardiovascular, endocrine, and neurological issues. You could be suffering from heavy metal exposure without realizing it. If you have hormone problems, blood pressure problems, thyroid problems, or low energy, you could have excess heavy metal accumulation and not know it. The only way to deal with these issues would be to do a metal detox. Now, let’s look into some more reasons a metal detox might be right for you.
Six Reasons To Get Rid Of Heavy Metals
To be upfront, there are definitely more than six reasons to get a heavy metal detox, and I can cover more in another article. For now, read these six reasons and take them to heart.
Metal Detoxing Reason #1: To Boost Your Energy
One common sign of heavy metal exposure is fatigue. This negative effect can impact not just your health, but your quality of life. If you are experiencing a general chronic lack of energy, it might be time to get your blood tested for heavy metals such as lead and mercury. To be thorough, you can make sure your sleep and diet are optimal. If sleep, diet changes, and supplements aren’t cutting it, heavy metals might be the culprits. Taking the steps to detox from heavy metals, like adding specific foods to your diet can help you flush those toxins and boost your energy levels.
Metal Detoxing Reason #2: To Improve Cognitive Function
Memory and focus are two components of cognitive function that are in danger when heavy metal exposure occurs. We need these components to navigate our daily lives. Without these tools being sharp, we can experience difficulty:
- remembering workplace tasks
- focusing on work tasks
- remembering school assignments’
- keeping track of when things are due
- remembering names and faces
- remembering where you last put your phone/keys/wallet
Deteriorating cognitive function impacts every aspect of our daily lives. A heavy metal that is primarily responsible for these effects is mercury. Thankfully, if this metal is to blame, we can detox from mercury and regain some of that lost function. Herbs such as cilantro are especially helpful in helping the body detox thanks to their chelating capabilities.
Metal Detoxing Reason #3: To Improve Hormone Regulation
A common symptom of heavy metal accumulation is endocrine dysfunction. Essentially, this is a fancy way of saying hormonal problems. These hormonal issues affect men and women and can to issues such as:
- infertility
- insulin sensitivity and insensitivity
- increased risk of type 2 diabetes
A heavy metal detox can help alleviate these risks and help promote a stable endocrine system which can help with weight management, stress management, and other health issues associated with hormonal imbalances.
Metal Detoxing Reason #4: To Improve Lung Health
While there are other mechanisms that support lung health, a heavy metal detox can also be helpful. Heavy metals such as cadmium can create breathing issues. Cadmium is a heavy metal considered toxic to humans that are found in the air due to industrial pollution. Furthermore, cadmium can be found in tobacco products and certain pesticides. We all know smoking is bad for the lungs, but not many people are aware of the heavy metals that are contained in tobacco products due to soil and air contamination. The breathing issues from exposure to these products can easily be misdiagnosed as a general smoking side effect or mild asthma symptoms. Therefore, it would benefit you to get tested for cadmium accumulation if you use tobacco products or are around pesticides often. A heavy metal detox may improve your breathing and overall lung health if cadmium is to blame.
Metal Detoxing Reason #5: To Treat Anemia And Other Health Issues
A lack of iron can cause anemia, which is a lack of red blood cells to carry enough oxygen throughout the body. A couple of ways to deal with anemia would be to increase your iron intake as well as increase your nitric oxide production. Both methods help deal with a symptom of anemia. However, another helpful trick would be to check your blood for arsenic. Arsenic accumulation can lead to anemia. Therefore, eliminating arsenic exposure to the best of your ability may help deal with anemia. Some ways to detox from arsenic and arsenic-related health issues include:
- cut out arsenic-contaminated foods such as rice and beer
- eating herbs such as cilantro and parsley
- consuming nitric oxide-rich foods to promote optimal blood flow
- consuming iron-rich sources to promote hemoglobin and myoglobin production
Metal Detoxing Reason #6: To Lower Your Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is one of those health issues that can be caused by a multitude of factors. High Blood pressure could be due to factors such as:
- lack of nitric oxide
- a diet high in salt and fat
- high cholesterol
- being overweight or obese
- chronic liver and kidney issues
- excess smoking & alcohol consumption
While some of these are lifestyle choices that can be rectified with changes to diet and exercise, some of these could be due to heavy metal exposure and flying under the radar. Heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury in particular can contribute to high blood pressure by creating cardiovascular problems as well as liver and kidney problems. Since we need the liver to detox from heavy metals and the kidneys to flush out toxins, by detoxing from these metals, we can help lower our blood pressure. In doing so, we reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular problems, cardiometabolic problems, and other health problems associated with high blood pressure.
How Do You Know If Heavy Metals Are To Blame?
The only way to know for sure is to go get tested. Visit your doctor and request heavy metal testing. Blood testing is most common, but some testing can be done with hair follicles and even saliva. Once you know for sure if heavy metal accumulation is to blame for your health problems, your doctor can provide you with a course of action. This plan can include:
- Chelation Therapy
- Chelating supplements
- Nitric oxide supplements
- Specific foods to add to your diet
Final Thoughts
Even if you are not sure if heavy metals are to blame for health concerns, some of these steps can be implemented just to make you healthier. The reasons listed above are beneficial for your overall health even if you are not suffering from heavy metal exposure. Consider a heavy metal detox every several months just to be safe, as it can be done with little effort in most cases. For more info on heavy metal detoxes and other healthy living tips, check out the rest of our blog here.
The Facts About A Heavy Metal Detox
The words heavy metal can bring up a few things: steel factories, chemistry lessons from school, or your favorite rock band. However, we will focus on the heavy metals you ingest and discuss why a heavy metal detox might be just what you need to achieve optimal health. Heavy metals are all around us and exposure to them is inevitable to some degree. This exposure happens through food, air, the environment, and more. Some of these metals are good for you. Examples of good metals include:
- Copper
- Zinc
- Iron
We need metals like these in small doses to stay healthy. Other heavy metals are detrimental to our health. In this article, we will go over what heavy metals are, what they do once in the body, a few symptoms of heavy metal exposure, the worst heavy metals, and how to reduce heavy metal exposure. This article will be the start of a few articles that cover heavy metal exposure and detox, so make sure you check back in for more info.
What Are Heavy Metals?
Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements found inside the earth. These metals are much denser than water. Therefore, they are considered to be highly toxic even in low concentrations. Now, this sounds bad, and it is. However, a few heavy metals are beneficial to us in low concentrations. As I stated in the last paragraph, some of these metals include iron, copper, and zinc. These metals help with various physiological functions. However, there are several more than do nothing but harm us when we are exposed to them. Because of heavy metal exposure health risks, we have to find ways to detox from heavy metals.
How Does Heavy Metal Exposure Occur?
There are many ways we get exposed to heavy metals. Predominantly, exposure occurs due to food, air, and water. To be more specific exposure can occur from:
- farmed fish that we eat
- contaminated water
- household products
- dental products
- air pollution
- certain medicines
As the list suggests, there is really no way to avoid exposure to some degree. We are unfortunately exposed to heavy metals in some way every day. It is because of this inevitable exposure that a heavy metal detox is a healthy choice.
What Do Heavy Metals Do Once They Are In The Body?
Once they get into your body, heavy metals can accumulate in various organs and bones for up to several years. This accumulation can lead to symptoms such as:
- behavioral changes
- low energy/fatigue
- mood changes
- thinking difficulty
- memory issues
- organ dysfunction
- development of certain cancers
We want to avoid these symptoms, so a heavy metal detox wouldn’t hurt most of us to try, especially if you like to eat fish frequently.
The Big Bad Wolves Of Heavy Metals
There are 23 heavy metals to be concerned about, but 4 are especially harmful to you. These are mercury, lead, arsenic, and chromium. We will go into a little more detail on each of these 4 metals and then explain a few tips on detoxing from these heavy metals.
#1: Mercury
Remember when I said if you like to eat fish you should be looking into a heavy metal detox? This is why. Mercury is a naturally occurring element that collects in marine life which we then consume. Mercury makes its way into our fish via contaminated waters thanks to industrial pollution. A small fish accumulates the mercury, then a bigger fish eats the smaller fish. That fish will accumulate the mercury, and then we eat that big fish. The fish we eat are typically fish such as tuna.
Mercury accumulation leads to a host of health problems such as:
- headaches
- memory issues
- sleep problems
- nervous system damage
- poor concentration
Mercury gets absorbed in the GI tract and is capable of breaching the blood-brain barrier. Once absorbed, mercury can stay in the body for several weeks up to several months. Within the brain, it stays for even longer since it is converted into an inorganic form. If you are pregnant, mercury can penetrate the placental barrier so the child is exposed as well. Besides the brain, mercury tends to accumulate in the kidneys and liver mostly. Because mercury can pass the blood-brain barrier easily, a heavy metal detox would be wise even if you are not showing symptoms of mercury accumulation.
#2: Lead
Similar to mercury, lead is a naturally occurring element. Lead can be found in water, soil, and air. Most human exposure to lead comes from water. While lead can accumulate in various organs such as the brain, liver, and kidneys, bones are the major area of lead accumulation. The side effects of acute lead accumulation include:
- joint pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- fatigue
- memory loss
- sleep problems
Some of the long-term effects of lead accumulation include:
- brain damage
- liver damage
- kidney damage
- chronic joint inflammation
- high blood pressure
- fertility issues
Since most lead exposure is due to contaminated water, consider getting a filter for your water at home and be wary of water sources when drinking water in new places or outdoors. To be safe, consider a heavy metal detox or getting tested for lead accumulation if you are experiencing any symptoms.
#3: Arsenic
This heavy metal is found within the earth’s crust. Human exposure to arsenic occurs via contaminated soil, water, and food. Some foods that are commonly associated with arsenic contamination are rice, beer, salmon, mushrooms, and poultry.
Several symptoms of acute arsenic accumulation include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- muscle cramping
- numbness of extremities
Some of the long-term effects of arsenic accumulation include:
- cell wall damage
- cellular communication dysfunction
- skin problems (cancer, lesions, warts, etc.)
- lung cancer
- bladder cancer
Limiting at-risk foods and sourcing your food supply will help minimize the risk of arsenic exposure and accumulation. If you are experiencing any symptoms or feel like you might be at risk, it may be worth a heavy metal detox and/or getting a hair/blood test done to check for heavy metal accumulation.
#4: Cadmium
This heavy metal is found in other metal ores and is a product of environmental pollution. Primarily, cadmium is found in copper and zinc ores. Cadmium exposure is toxic to humans, as it is a heavy metal we have no use for, unlike zinc and copper in small concentrations. Cadmium ends up in the air, water, and soil as a by-product of mining and smelting pollution.
Most of the damage from cadmium occurs in the kidney, liver, and lungs. Therefore, being mindful of water sources, food sources, and pollution impact on your area are keys to avoiding cadmium exposure. A few symptoms of acute cadmium accumulation include:
- “flu-like” symptoms
- respiratory issues
- cardiovascular problems
If there is long-term exposure to cadmium, you may experience issues such as:
- lung cancer
- kidney failure
- pancreas cancer
- prostate cancer
If you think you might have some exposure to cadmium or just want to be safe, a heavy metal detox and being medically tested are smart decisions. It is better to be safe than sorry, especially if you live near any industrial area.
What Is A Heavy Metal Detox?
Heavy metal detox is exactly as it sounds. No, it isn’t quitting Slayer cold-turkey. Instead, it is the act of introducing lifestyle changes and specific detox agents that help the body’s detox system perform better. There are two primary ways to start a heavy metal detox.
First, you complete chelation therapy. Chelation therapy is a medical procedure that can be done with a doctor or at home. Essentially, you add compounds called chelating agents to your daily routine that bind to the heavy metals in your blood and then get filtered out of the body via feces and urine. Chelation therapy is a natural approach to a heavy metal detox because it involves adding key compounds that help your body’s organs such as the liver and kidney filter out toxins like they are supposed to.
Second, you can make changes to your diet and lifestyle to add naturally occurring chelating agents into your body. This can include specific foods, increasing activity, changing up your environment, using a chelation supplement, and other tips that will both minimize heavy metal exposure and prevent the accumulation of heavy metals in your body before they can create long-term damage.
Tips On Reducing Heavy Metal Exposure
To get you started on the right foot, here are some helpful tips for reducing your heavy metal exposure.
- Get the good metals in your body. Some metals such as copper, zinc, and iron are necessary for our health. Make sure you are eating the right foods that will provide adequate concentrations of these metals.
- Check out how fishy your fish are. Fish can be contaminated with arsenic, mercury, and lead. Check the sources for your fish. Be extra careful of tuna, swordfish, salmon, and sardines.
- Have a chat with your dentist. Some fillings have a mercury amalgam, so ask your dentist about resin fillings when possible.
- Check those jabs. I don’t mean boxing jabs, but vaccines. Some vaccines contain a controversial mercury-derived preservative. If you are at all nervous about that, ask your doctor for vaccines that are free of that specific alternative.
- Peep the paint jobs. Older buildings were painted with lead-based paints. With this in mind, be wary of chipped paint. Also, DON’T LICK THE PAINT.
- Use the spices. Herbs such as cilantro, parsley, and rosemary contain chelating agents which will help your body dissolve or flush out heavy metals.
- Hydrate with caution. Water can easily be contaminated with heavy metals, particularly lead. Therefore, you need to be mindful of your water source. Also, filter your water whenever possible to eliminate any potential contaminants.
These are just a few tips you can implement today to minimize heavy metal exposure.
Final Thoughts
Heavy metal detox is something everyone can do to some degree and should do since heavy metal exposure is inevitable. Use the steps suggested above to make some small changes today that can have a positive impact on your health. Also, if you feel like you need more answers, head to a doctor and get tested for heavy metal accumulation. For extra info on heavy metals and overall healthy living, check out the rest of our blog here.
Five Foods To Help Detoxify From Heavy Metals
For many ailments and health problems, your diet can be a powerful tool in promoting optimal health. The foods we eat can do wonders for making changes in our health and wellness. When it comes to detoxifying from heavy metals, this is still true. There are plenty of foods that will help you detox from heavy metals. These foods can be added to your diet on a daily basis to help you detoxify from heavy metals. These foods are easy to find and easy to prepare. Furthermore, these foods can be consumed in a multitude of ways so you won’t get bored. In this article, I will tell you 10 foods you can eat that will help you detoxify from heavy metals.
Detox diets are currently a very trendy topic in many health circles. Detox diets are typically spoken about as a strategy for weight loss. However, those detox diets are often ineffective and only provide short-term results. If you’ve ever seen restrictive diets, detox teas, detox juices, and tools similar to those, you know what I mean. Heavy metal detoxification is often viewed as another short-term strategy to “flush” toxins within a few days or a few weeks, then you can go back to the way things were before. Therefore, this article is aimed at promoting the idea that detoxifying from heavy metals via diet is a long-term process that you can do every day to stay healthy. Heavy metal detox diets should be a lifestyle, not a 14-day challenge. The focus should be on clean foods and daily habits that promote lifelong health.
What Is a Heavy Metal Detox?
Simply put, detoxing from heavy metals is the act of introducing specific foods, lifestyle changes, or compounds that will help your body get rid of heavy metals accumulated within your body. Heavy metals can accumulate in your bones, organs, muscles, and bloodstream. Some heavy metals will be flushed out faster than others, and if you do not minimize the factors that are exposing you to these heavy metals, you will continue to accumulate these heavy metals faster than your body can get rid of them.
How Do We Detoxify From Heavy Metals?
A detox generally means a natural removal of toxins and contaminants from our bodies. Every day, our body removes toxins without us even being aware. Our body can detoxify from heavy metals and other toxins thanks to a few key organs which act as a natural filtration system for our body. Our liver, kidneys, and GI tract work 24/7/365 to remove harmful toxins from our bodies. The body primarily removes toxins via urine, feces, and sweat.
Why Is This Detoxification of Heavy Metals Important?
The body does a wonderful job of filtering out toxins. However, it still makes sense to help the body as much as we can. We help the body remove toxins more efficiently with lifestyle changes that promote the health of our organs. Why is this important? Well, because of all the negative side effects we could experience if heavy metals accumulate in our bodies. Harmful toxins from these heavy metals can lead to detrimental side effects such as:
- multiple cancers
- fertility problems
- reproductive issues
- metabolic disorders
- cardiovascular diseases
- mental health issues
Therefore, even though our bodies already do a great job at filtering out toxins, we need to help our bodies in any way we can. What we can do is eat right and make changes to our habits that will minimize the threat of heavy metals.
How Does Diet Help Detoxify From Heavy Metals?
For most of us, the easiest way to start detoxifying the body of heavy metals is by making tweaks to our meals. Because of this, I am going to give you 10 foods you can add to your meals every day to help you detoxify from heavy metal exposure and accumulation.
#1: Blueberries
While this list is in no particular order, blueberries are definitely my personal choice for the best detoxifying food. Blueberries are full of helpful antioxidants that serve to destroy free radicals that create oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress creates inflammation, and antioxidants get rid of inflammation. Free radicals form when heavy metals interact with proteins in the body. Consuming blueberries helps the lymphatic system detoxify from heavy metals.
When choosing blueberries, try to find organic blueberries free of pesticides and GMOs. Organic blueberries are smaller but have more antioxidants. You can buy organic blueberries at most grocery stores and some produce markets if they are in season. Blueberries also grow wild in some rural areas, so it might be worth exploring to find some wild blueberries.
Blueberries can be added to your diet in a number of ways. Some methods of adding blueberries to your diet include:
- blended into smoothies
- eaten raw
- frozen
- freeze-dried
- added to yogurt
- added to cereal
- added to oatmeal
- added to salads
The blueberry is a versatile berry that has some of the highest antioxidant levels in a berry.
#2: Garlic
Garlic is a common solution to arsenic exposure. This helpful vegetable helps the liver produce detoxification enzymes, making it invaluable for detoxing from heavy metals. Garlic does this because it contains sulfur. Sulfur helps the liver filter toxins more effectively.
Like blueberries, garlic is most helpful when it is organic. Similar to blueberries, garlic is versatile and can be prepared and consumed in many ways. Some methods of adding more garlic into your meals include:
- adding garlic as an ingredient for salad dressings
- cooking meat with garlic as a flavor enhancer
- adding garlic to soups and stews
- add garlic to dips and spreads
- add garlic to your pizza
- eat Mediterranean foods (garlic is a common ingredient)
- eat more pesto (a spread that contains garlic)
- infuse your cooking oils with garlic
These are just some of the ways you can eat more garlic daily and reap the detoxifying benefits they contain.
#3: Beetroots
Beets have an array of health benefits attached to them. One of those benefits is vasodilation. Beetroot contains nitrates. Nitrates convert into nitric oxide in the body. The body uses nitric oxide to expand the blood vessels. As a result, blood flows more effectively. This means nutrients and oxygen move throughout the body more efficiently. This efficiency also occurs in the liver. Beetroot also contains a host of vitamins and minerals that help the liver detoxify the body from heavy metals better. Some of these nutrients include vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin C, iron, and zinc. Beets also contain a fiber component called betaine that promotes digestion. Since our GI tract is part of our filtration system, this is good news.
Beets are also quite versatile for daily meals. Some of the ways you can add beets to your meals include:
- a salad ingredient
- squeezed to make a juice
- powdered as a mixed drink
- taken as a capsule or lozenge supplement
- roasted
- pureed to be added to certain baked goods like cakes
- used in soups and stews
- blended in smoothies
The taste and texture of beets are not for everyone, but there are plenty of ways to get around that and add more beets to your daily meals.
#4: Leafy Greens And Other Green Vegetables
Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and arugula are usually at the top of most people’s detox foods, and for good reason. These green vegetables all contain chlorophyll, which promotes liver function and higher blood oxygen levels. Furthermore, green vegetables such as broccoli and cucumber also help the liver detoxify the body of heavy metals.
Since there are too many green vegetables to break down, some common ways to add more green vegetables into your daily meals in general include:
- eaten raw as a snack
- as a salad
- steamed
- boiled
- added to soups and stews
- blended into smoothies
Look for organic vegetables when shopping. On top of helping the body detoxify from heavy metals, leafy greens and other green vegetables have plenty of other health benefits as well.
#5: Onions
Similar to garlic, onions help our liver detoxify the body of heavy metals thanks to their sulfur concentration. Since sulfur aids in promoting detoxifying enzymes, it makes sense to eat more onions. While some onions often have a harsh taste and pungent smell, there are many types of onions with differing flavor profiles. Regardless of the onion you choose, they are edible in many ways. Some ways you can add more onion into your meals include:
- soups and stews
- sautèed with meats and/or mushrooms
- on sandwiches
- added to slices of bread
- added to pasta
Aim for organic onions when you can.
Final Thoughts
Heavy metal exposure can cause all sorts of health problems. Excessive accumulation can even alter your very DNA function. While the body does a great job of filtering out heavy metals and toxins, we still need to give it a hand when we can. The easiest way is to add a few simple foods to our diet in order to help the body detoxify from heavy metals a little more effectively. Make sure you add a few of these foods into your diet asap to promote heavy metal detoxification. For more healthy living info, be sure to check out the rest of our blog here.
Top 10 Health Benefits Of Beetroot
Beetroot or the beet is a root vegetable packed with essential nutrients such as fiber, folate, potassium, and iron. Beetroot is also an excellent source of dietary nitrates which the body can use to produce nitric oxide. Because of all the nutrients in beetroot, beetroot is associated with multiple health benefits, including improved blood flow, lowering blood pressure, and more. In this article, we will go over some of the best health benefits associated with consuming beetroot or beetroot juice.
10 Health Benefits of Beetroot
While the taste and texture are not for everyone, there are plenty of reasons it might be worth finding a way to eat more beets. Let’s explore some of the best health benefits of beetroot. Then you can decide for yourself if it’s worth it to add beets to your diet.
1. They Are Nutrient-Dense
One of the best health benefits of beetroot is that it is low-calorie but packed full of valuable nutrients your body needs to function optimally. Beets are low fat, low carb, and high fiber. On top of that, beets contain many essential vitamins and minerals such as:
- Folate (vitamin B9). Folate is important for tissue growth and cellular function.
- Potassium. A high intake of potassium can reduce water retention and lower blood pressure.
- Iron. A mineral that is necessary for oxygen transport within red blood cells.
- Vitamin C. A powerful antioxidant that helps the immune system stay strong.
- Manganese. A trace element that is responsible for helping the body form connective tissue. Manganese also helps with brain function.
With a wrap sheet like this and more, it is easy to see this root vegetable packs quite a punch for our overall health.
2. Beets Boost Nitric Oxide Levels
If you have read a few of our other articles, you may be aware that aging can create a nitric oxide deficiency. If not, I’ll provide a brief explanation. As we age, our body’s natural NO production decreases. It is unavoidable and begins as early as your late 20s. By the time you are approaching age 50, you are already producing only 50% of what you were producing at age 25. How do we combat this loss of NO production? By making lifestyle changes necessary to promote optimal NO production. The biggest changes you can make include increasing your activity level and improving your diet.
As far as beetroot is concerned, eating more of them will boost your nitric oxide thanks to the nitrates found in them. The body converts nitrates into nitric oxide as you digest beets, so if you want to boost your nitric oxide levels, eating beets is one of the best ways to do so.
3. Beets Lower blood pressure
Beetroot lowering blood pressure is definitely a health benefit worth exploring for most. High blood pressure is one of the most common risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke. Furthermore, unless you are constantly checking your blood pressure, it is a risk factor that can unnoticed for a long time. High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels, arteries, and heart over time.
Eating specific fruits and vegetables such as beetroot can help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease thanks to the reduced blood pressure. Studies have shown beetroot consumption lowers blood pressure for a few hours. This is assumed to be due to the increased nitric oxide levels from the nitrates in beets. Since this effect is only for a few hours, having beets in at least one meal or snack a day would go a long way in keeping your blood pressure in check.
4. Beetroot Improves Digestion
Some common digestive issues include:
- bloating
- constipation
- indigestion
- diarrhea
- heartburn
- stomach cramps
Obviously, this list is not exhaustive, and this could mean many things. However, what I want to highlight is that digestive problems are fairly common, affecting roughly 2/3 of people to some capacity. Beetroot can help with some of these problems. One of the health benefits of beetroot is its high fiber concentration. This means consuming more beets can make you more regular and help prevent constipation. Beets cannot help with all digestion issues, but if you struggle with bloating or constipation, adding more beets to your diet can certainly help alleviate some of these issues. As with any problem in the body, make sure you see a doctor to make sure it isn’t anything life-threatening.
5. They Help Improve Exercise Performance
Remember that I said changes to diet and exercise are the best ways to increase nitric oxide production? Well, one of the health benefits of beetroot is it can help improve exercise performance. Whether you are a newbie to fitness or a regular gym-goer, beetroot can increase your stamina and performance. This health benefit is once again due to the nitrate concentration found in beets. Since the intake of nitrates helps the body produce more nitric oxide, the body uses that nitric oxide to improve exercise performance. In turn, exercise helps the body produce more nitric oxide as well, so it creates a positive cycle once you get going.
In order to get these benefits in the gym, you can drink a glass of beetroot juice or eat some beetroot in a salad around 1-2 hours before you hit the gym. That way you have enough time to digest the food/juice and will be able to work out longer and harder (no pun intended).
6. Beetroot Helps Fight Cancer Cells
A potentially life-saving health benefit of consuming more beets is they may help fight cancer. This is believed to be due to the high antioxidant content of beetroot. Beets are a strong source of polyphenols, so are being looked at as a holistic method of fighting cancer. There was a 2021 study conducted that shows a positive correlation between supplementing with beetroot and chemopreventative properties, but more long-term studies are needed.
7. Beets Help With Weight Management
Like I said at the beginning of the article, beetroot is ideal for weight loss. This is because they are low-calorie, low-fat, and high-fiber. Here are some basic stats on the beetroot for your viewing pleasure.
Based on a serving size of one cup (136 grams) of beetroot:
- Calories: 43
- Water Content: ~88%
- Protein: 1.6 grams (~3% of RDA)
- Carbs: 9.6 grams (~13% of RDA)
- Sugar: 6.8 grams (~7.5% of RDA)
- Fiber: 2.8 grams (~2%-3% of RDA)
- Fat: 0.2 grams (virtually no fat)
A great health benefit of high-fiber foods like beetroot is that they help you feel fuller longer. This means you won’t feel hungry as much. Add that to the already low-calorie content, and you have a great food option for weight loss.
8. Beetroot Helps Fight Inflammation
Another health benefit of beetroot is its antioxidant content. Beets contain polyphenols and betalains. These antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties. This means beets may help fight inflammation in humans. More research is needed to confirm this, but there is some promise for this health benefit. Polyphenols have more research on fighting inflammation than betalains, so either way, the antioxidants found in beets may help fight inflammation.
9. Beets Help Keep Bones Strong
None of us want weaker bones. We kind of need those to do anything. Thankfully, consuming beetroot may help strengthen bones. This is due to the magnesium content within beets. We need magnesium to keep our bones strong. Since a serving of beetroot contains roughly 6% of our daily magnesium needs, beetroot helps our bones stay strong and resilient as we age.
10. They Keep Our Liver Healthy
This health benefit is a big one. Beetroot contains antioxidants and enzymes that help detoxify the liver by increasing bile production. This not only helps protect the liver but also allows function more efficiently. Since the liver is the body’s main detoxifier, we want to do what we can to keep it healthy. Eating beetroot is certainly a good place to start.
How Can You Incorporate Beetroot Into Your Diet?
Beets are surprisingly versatile as far as options for adding them to a balanced diet. Beetroot can be eaten raw, canned, pickled, steamed, boiled, or roasted. Below I will list some common ways you can add more beetroot to your diet.
- Beetroot juice (homemade or store-bought).
- Beet powder (can be added to oatmeal, smoothies, or baked goods).
- Chopped up and added to salads.
- Crushed up and used in hummus or homemade dips.
- Blend beets into smoothies.
- Dice them up to add to a slaw.
- Supplemented as a powder mix or lozenge to take on the go.
Of course, there are plenty of other ways to prepare beets (might be a future article). This is a good starting point to explore the best way to fit beets into your diet based on needs, preferences, and lifestyle.
As a final thought, make sure to do your research and make sure beetroot is a good choice for you. For most people, beets are safe for consumption. Get creative and find interesting ways to add beets to your diet. They are packed with tons of health benefits that one article just isn’t enough to cover (again…might be a future article). Be sure to share this new info with someone who needs a good reason to try beets. For more info on nitric oxide and other healthy living tips, check out the rest of our blog here.
8 Best Foods That Lower Blood Pressure
Some of the best foods that lower blood pressure are vegetables rich in nitrates you can buy at the grocery store or local produce market. These nitrate-rich foods are so helpful thanks to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide (NO) is a gas that the body naturally produces. NO plays a vital role in various functions in the body. Nitric oxide is a key contributor to our overall health and wellness. Nitric oxide also is responsible for a multitude of health benefits such as:
- Bone Health
- Immune Support
- Brain Health
- Lung health
- Skin Health
Thankfully, many foods high in nitrates serve as a natural NO booster once eaten.
How Do Nitrates Convert Into Nitric Oxide?
There are a few ways to produce nitric oxide in the body. One of these ways is through the conversion of nitrates from vegetables. This begins as soon as you eat these vegetables. While we are chewing up the vegetables, the oral bacteria convert nitrates into nitrite. As this food and nitrites begin going through the digestive system into the GI tract, nitrite converts into nitric oxide.
What Does This Conversion Have To Do With Lower Blood Pressure?
Simply put, one of nitric oxide’s big roles in the body is lowering blood pressure. This means any vegetables high in nitrates and other NO precursors are also great for lowering blood pressure. Any nitric oxide booster will also help lower blood pressure so for that alone, it is worth eating some of the foods we will go over. Nitric oxide helps to lower blood pressure via vasodilation. This is the expansion of blood vessels in the presence of nitric oxide. As blood vessels expand, blood can flow better. This in turn allows for more efficient oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout the body. However, for today, all we are focusing on is lowering blood pressure.
Why does this matter? High blood pressure is one of the most common risk factors reserach assicates with an increased risk of heart disease. Fortunately for us, it is a risk we can take action against to reduce or offset significantly with the right lifestyle changes.
A Change In Diet Can Lower Blood Pressure
One of these changes easy enough to make is a change in diet. A strong heart-healthy diet includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and lean protein sources. This article will list several foods that will improve your heart health and lower blood pressure by boosting nitric oxide naturally.
Foods That Will Lower Blood Pressure
1. Beets And Beetroot
Beets and beetroot are one of the best sources of dietary nitrates. Not only that, beets contain high levels of potassium, which is also helpful in regulating blood pressure. While promoting lower blood pressure, beets also carry other health benefits such as improved exercise performance. There have been studies that show consuming beets can lower blood pressure levels in older and overweight individuals.
Because of the support beets have for reducing blood pressure, they are best to consume as often as possible. Furthermore, the leafy green part of the beet is also edible, so don’t skip out on it.
Try to get fresh beets from the produce section as this will contain the densest concentration of nutrients. Beets can be cooked and eaten in salads, used as a base for hummus, and can be blended into smoothies. Beets are also popular in certain slaws and mashed to be used as a dip or spread.
2. Arugula
This spicy leafy green has probably one of the highest concentrations of nitrates in nature, even more so than beets in some measurements. Arugula has studies that show consuming it can help with endothelial function and blood pressure regulation. Adding arugula to your diet may help lower blood pressure due to the high level of nitrate found in it.
Arugula is great cooked or uncooked. It makes a great addition to salads, on sandwiches, as a pizza topper, and as a garnish in soups and pasta.
3. Kale
Kale is another leafy green vegetable with a high nitrate concentration. This means since nitrates convert into nitric oxide, consuming kale may help lower blood pressure. Eating kale also has a reputation for promoting a healthy microbiome in the mouth. Kale also contains antioxidants such as quercetin which help destroy free radicals that inhibit nitric oxide production.
Kale is a common ingredient in various salads. Furthermore, you can add kale to your diet by blending it in smoothies and cooking it. However you want to consume kale, doing so may help lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation in the body.
4. Spinach
Not only does this popular leafy green contain adequate levels of nitrates, but also contains high levels of potassium, folate, and magnesium. Furthermore, spinach contains lutein. Lutein helps prevent artery walls from thickening. This reduces the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
Spinach can be eaten cooked or uncooked. It is great in a salad or smoothie. They are also great steamed or sautéed. If you are serious about lowering your blood pressure, spinach is a tasty and healthy addition to your diet.
5. Celery
Celery is a popular vegetable for those looking to lose weight. This vegetable also has a decent nitrate concentration as well as compounds called phthalides. These compounds may act similar to nitric oxide by relaxing blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.
Like many vegetables, celery is great consumed raw or cooked. A common snack is celery dipped in a variety of sauces and and spreads. These include hummus, peanut butter, cheese sauce, and dressings.
6. Cucumber
This vegetable breaks away from the nitrate-rich options, but still has merit for lowering blood pressure. Cucumber is a great source of L-citrulline, an amino acid that helps produce NO in the body. L-citrulline converts into L-arginine in the body, which is then further converted into nitric oxide. Another reason to add cucumbers to your diet is because they are rich in potassuim. Potassium helps to reduce water retenion brought on by excess sodium. Because of this, potassium helps to lower blood pressure.
Cucumbers are enjoyed raw mostly, sliced up and eaten as is, lightly salted, or dipped in your favorite sauces and spreads such as hummus and dressings. You can also chop them up for a salad and even add them to your drinking water. Any way you want to slice it, cucumbers are an excellent choice for reducing blood pressure.
7. Mixed Berries
Since this article is not just about vegetables that can lower blood pressure (might be a later article), it seems fitting to branch out and add some other healthy foods. For me, this includes berries. Berries are a delcious and healthy treat you should absolutely have in your diet. Berries are potentially able to help reduce blood pressure as well as benefit the body in various other ways. One of the biggest benefits to eating berries are the antioxidants. Most berries have tons of antioxidants such as anthocyanins, flavanoids, and quercetin. In particular, berries containing anthocyanins are able to increase nitric oxide levels in the body, which means the vasodilation resulting from the nitric oxide will reduce blood pressure.
Some of the berries with anthocyanins and other nitric oxide boosting antioxidants include:
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Pomegranate
- Cranberries
- Blackberries
- Elderberries
These are all best eaten raw. Give them a quick rinse and just eat a couple handfuls of them to reap the benefits. Berries are low-calorie and nutrient-dense so are a great snack. You can also add them to salads or smoothies.
8. Beans And Lentils
If you are in need of a protein source that is not meat but still has health benefits, here you go. While a lean meat is best for protein, beans and other lentils still have plenty of protein and help lower blood pressure thanks to the fiber and potassium they contain.
Beans need to be cooked to be eaten, and must be cooked thoroughly to avoid certain stomach issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Certain beans contain lectin, a protein that causes intestinal distress if beans are not cooked thoroughly. However, not all beans contain lectic, so just be mindful of your choice in bean. Make sure you follow the soaking and cooking instructions that come with your choice of bean. A good rule of thumb is to soak them overnight before you cook them, and let them boil for at least an hour or until tender. There are canned and pre-cooked options in stores as well if you are worried about doing them wrong or do not want to take the time to prep them. Beans are great alone or paired with other foods such as rice, meat, and vegetables.
Choosing The Right Foods To Lower Blood Pressure
Just to clarify, there are certainly more than eight foods that will help lower blood pressure. This list serves as a starting point. There are numerous factors that will dictate what foods you choose to add to your diet. Some of those factors include:
- Diet you currently follow
- Dietary preference
- Food allergies
- Food sensitivities such as gluten
- Diet needed based on medically-diagnosed nutrient deficiencies such as anemia
Be sure to consult your doctor if you are worried about adding a specific food to your diet. For most people, these foods are generally safe and healthy choices. Be sure to do your due diligence and find foods that are right for your needs and lifestyle.
All of these listed will help you lower your blood pressure, but if you want to look for others, look for foods high in nitrates, L-citrulline, and L-arginine as a starting point. Foods high in potassium and magnesium will also help as well.
Be sure to share this article with someone who needs help lowering their blood pressure. For more education on nitric oxide and living a healthy life, check out the rest of our blog here.
8 Essential Steps For Cardiovascular Health
As we get older, we become more susceptible to a multitude of illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular health problems. Aging is a natural and beautiful process but can become scary if you are not taking the necessary steps to stay healthy. Your heart health is vital to a happy and healthy existence. With this in mind, this article will explore actionable steps you can take today to improve your current cardiovascular health and live your best life.
What Is Cardiovascular Health?
Cardiovascular health refers to the overall health status of your heart and blood vessels. Your heart pumps blood and your blood vessels deliver essential oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. The efficiency of this blood delivery can affect your energy and stamina, your immune system function, your brain health, your lung health, and so much more. Therefore it is vital that you do what you can to keep your heart and blood vessels healthy and functioning optimally.
The Importance Of Cardiovascular Health
I feel like this should not have to be explained, but just in case I am wrong, here are some basic facts and statistics about cardiovascular health:
- Cardiovascular disease (heart disease) is the leading cause of death for people in the U.S.
- Roughly 1 out of 5 deaths in 2020 were from cardiovascular disease
- Roughly one person dies every 34 seconds in the U.S as a result of cardiovascular disease.
- The most common cardiovascular disease is coronary heart disease, which killed over 382,000 people in 2020 alone.
- Someone suffers from a heart attack in the U.S. roughly every 40 seconds.
Risk Factors Of Cardiovascular Disease
Do these facts bother you? They should. These statistics are only likely to grow worse if people do not create changes in their daily habits and lifestyle to prevent the onset of risk factors of cardiovascular health problems from setting in. Risk factors of cardiovascular disease include:
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- diagnosed as diabetic or prediabetic
- obesity
- sedentary lifestyle
- excessive smoking and/or drinking
- poor diet
You need to be taking steps to avoid these risk factors from developing to give yourself the best chance to avoid developing any cardiovascular health problems. What steps do you need to take? Let’s explore those now.
8 Steps For Protecting Your Cardiovascular Health
I would like to say right out of the gate that these steps are not everything you can do to promote good cardiovascular health, but are merely a starting place to get you on the right path. With that out of the way, let’s jump into 8 steps you can take today to improve your cardiovascular health and keep your heart and blood vessels functioning at maximum efficiency.
Step 1: Stop Smoking
The carcinogens and other chemicals found in cigarettes create an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In fact, despite the almost common knowledge that smoking is bad for your health, millions of Americans still continue to smoke. If you want to protect your cardiovascular health, the best thing for you to do is quit smoking. Smoking tobacco can easily lead to addiction due to nicotine, so quitting is easier said than done. However, there are some healthier alternatives to reducing or quitting smoking altogether if you are willing to put forth the effort. Some options for those looking to quit include:
- Counseling
- Nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges, etc.)
- Medication
- Develop a support system for accountability
- Avoid triggers
- Keep your mind busy with new hobbies, activities, etc.
- Develop a reward system for curbing the habit
- Be patient with yourself because breaking long-term habits takes time.
Add some of these tips to your arsenal and quitting smoking will be a little easier. Trust me, it will be worth it when you’re older and your heart and lungs are in good condition.
Step 2: Promote Cardiovascular Health By Eating Right
The foods you eat have the greatest impact on your overall health. Because of this, your diet is a double-edged sword that is either your greatest weapon or will kill you faster. However, eating a heart-healthy diet is not very difficult. A diet that would promote good cardiovascular health would consist of fruits and veggies, lean meats, fish, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Foods to avoid would be heavily processed foods, excessive sugar, and foods high in saturated and trans fats. Below I will list a few diets that are great for promoting heart health.
- The Mediterranean Diet
- The DASH diet
- Veganism
- Vegetarianism
- Variations of low-carb diets
All of these have different parameters but serve to limit processed foods and foods high in sugar, saturated fats, and trans fats while promoting whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats, and lots of fruits and veggies.
Step 3: Be More Active
Similar to diet, exercise is one of those tools that can benefit or harm you depending on how you use it. To promote cardiovascular health, you need to be more active. Unfortunately, we live in a modern world where we spend most days sitting at a desk, sitting in a car, or sitting on a couch. Obviously, you do not have to spend hours killing yourself in the gym to avoid cardiovascular disease, but you do need to sit less if you want to avoid some of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease development such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Daily activity is all you need to offset those risk factors. It can be as simple as a 10-15 brisk walk every day. Another thing you can do to move more is when you are at home or anywhere where you are sitting for long durations of time, get up and move around every 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes for 1-2 minutes. Some other life hacks for increasing your daily activity include:
- Taking the stairs when possible
- Parking farther away from the doors
- Walk instead of drive whenever you can
- Move during commercial breaks when watching TV
It is small steps like this done consistently over time that have an impact. Get moving, and stay consistent. Your heart will thank you later.
Step 4: Lose Weight
This step is very similar to step 3, but here the focus is on losing weight rather than just moving more. This will require a little more activity than just taking the stairs, but you still don’t have to kill yourself for hours in the gym to see results here. Obesity is a big risk factor associated with heart disease, so losing weight will not only improve your cardiovascular health but also improve your quality of life. Here are some ways you can lose weight without killing yourself with intense workouts for hours at the gym:
- Increase protein intake. Protein is very filling, so eating more protein will make you feel fuller longer, which will reduce your caloric intake over time and help you lose weight.
- Hydrate. Drinking water regularly not only helps you feel full but also helps the body avoid retaining water weight. Drinking water should be something you do plenty of every day.
- Eat smaller portions. Consuming fewer calories will lead to weight loss.
- Move more. Increasing daily activity will burn more calories, increasing the amount of weight you can lose.
These are just a few tips you can implement today to help you on your weight loss journey. Healthy weight loss takes time, so avoid detoxes, juice diets, weight loss teas, and other “fast results” methods. Most of these are scams and the results are not permanent. The only truly permanent solution to losing weight is diet and exercise. Manipulate these to make sure you are burning more calories than you are consuming, and you will eventually lose weight and keep it off.
Step 5: Avoid Eating Too Much
We all tend to overindulge a bit during the holidays, and for most of us, that’s okay. It’s when this becomes a habit that your cardiovascular health becomes at risk. When you overeat, the heart has to push more blood to the digestive system to compensate for the extra work the stomach has to do to digest all that food. If this becomes a habit, there is less blood available for other organs. Another issue with overeating is this can lead to faster or irregular heart rhythm. This in turn can lead to an increased risk of a heart attack.
To avoid overeating, here are a few tips you can implement.
- Eat slowly
- Eat smaller portions
- Have more protein with your meals
- Limit distractions such as phones and TV during meals
- Drink more water
These tips will help you limit your overeating and decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular problems.
Step 6: Less Stress = Better Cardiovascular Health
It should be no surprise that stress is bad for you. However, stress can be a silent killer that many do not expect. How is this? The body has literally hundreds of different responses to stress, and some of those responses are harmful to your cardiovascular health. A couple of responses to stress include increased heart rate, a spike in blood pressure, and rapid breathing. High blood pressure is a particularly harmful stress response. If you are consistently stressed, your blood pressure could remain high over time, increasing the risk of heart disease or other cardiovascular problems.
Learning to manage stress will help you avoid creating a stress cycle. Some helpful tips for managing stress include:
- Nose breathing and other slow breathing patterns
- Meditation
- Mindfulness exercises
- Yoga
- Developing fun hobbies
Try a few of these today or do a little research and find some other ways to reduce stress that fit your lifestyle.
Step 7: Have An Attitude Of Gratitude
I know this step might sound cheesy, but just taking a few moments each day to count your blessings and be thankful for the good things in your life can improve your cardiovascular health. Some ways to practice gratitude include:
- Start a daily gratitude journal
- Verbally list 1-3 things you are grateful for each morning
- Take a gratitude walk
- Leave yourself notes around the house or office of things you are grateful for
As you can see, it does not take much to develop an attitude of gratitude. It can take as little as 10-15 seconds a day. Doing this can reduce blood pressure and stress by releasing positive emotions to counteract the negative emotions causing stress. This is one of those ways that we can see in action the old saying, “where the mind goes, the body follows.”
Step 8: Boost Your Cardiovascular Health With Nitric Oxide
Nitric oxide is a powerful signaling molecule and vasodilator. This means it dilates the blood vessels, making blood flow more effective. This in turn lowers blood pressure and helps nutrients and oxygen get delivered more efficiently throughout the body. There are plenty of other benefits to boosting nitric oxide, but for today’s topic, vasodilation is the one we want to focus on. Diet and exercise can both increase your body’s natural nitric oxide production. However, if you are older, you might need a supplement. A supplement containing dietary nitrates or the amino acids L-citrulline and L-arginine will all convert into nitric oxide when consumed.
Some other ways to boost nitric oxide include:
- Exercise
- Getting sunlight exposure
- Eating lots of fruits and veggies
- Eating lots of leafy greens
Final Thoughts
Aging can be beautiful and terrifying all at once. It is something that is inevitable and happens to us all. What we can do is take steps to ensure we are as healthy as possible as we age. For more healthy living tips, check out the rest of our blog.
6 More Drinks To Boost Nitric Oxide Levels
You didn’t think there were only six options, did you? Well if you thought those were it, you were wrong. Just in case you did not read up on the last article, this article will briefly describe the importance of nitric oxide as well as cover six more drinks you can sip on to boost your nitric oxide levels.
What Benefits Does Boosting Nitric Oxide Have?
Nitric oxide (NO) is considered by many to be one of the most important molecules for overall health and wellness. I’m hoping by now many of you understand how vital NO is for your body, but just in case you don’t, I will cover the basics here. Nitric oxide is a molecule naturally produced in the body. It is essential for a long list of body functions such as intracellular communication, acting as a neurotransmitter, and creating a strong vascular system. Most of the benefits derived from NO stem from its role as a vasodilator. Vasodilation is the process of relaxing the smooth muscles within the lining of vessels. As this occurs, the vessels expand and blood is able to flow more efficiently. This also allows more oxygen and nutrients to flow throughout the body effectively.
Because of vasodilation, we reap many benefits from boosting our nitric oxide levels. Some of those benefits include:
- Better skin health
- Faster wound healing
- Lower blood pressure
- Better breathing
- More energy
- Reduced muscle soreness
- Better sleep
This list is far from exhaustive, but should clearly demonstrate the importance of boosting your nitric oxide levels.
Why Boost Nitric Oxide Levels If We Naturally Produce It?
Just in case you missed my last article, nitric oxide production declines as we age. After age 25 your natural NO production will begin to decline. By the time you are in your 50s, you will be producing only 50% of what you could produce at 25. Because of this, you want to get an early jump on supplementing your body with the tools it needs to keep your nitric oxide levels as high as possible. Furthermore, NO has a short half-life and gets depleted quickly, so we have to keep production high to offset the rapid depletion. One way we can do this is through what we put in our mouths. I am specifically talking about drinks right now. We will touch on foods later.
In the last article, we covered these juices as drinks that could boost your nitric oxide levels:
- Beetroot Juice
- Red Spinach Juice
- Red Wine
- Celery Juice
- Arugula-Dominant Greens Juice
- Watermelon Juice
Today, we are going to look at six more drinks that can boost your nitric oxide levels.
6 More Drinks That Will Boost Nitric Oxide Levels
Hopefully, some of these drinks are already in your diet. If not, maybe this article will change that. I do want to preface this list by stating that these drinks will not all directly boost nitric oxide levels the same way as the last list. When I say NO booster, I also mean work to increase the lifespan of NO in the body. So drinks that include antioxidants or key nutrients that will slow down the depletion of NO due to oxidative stress are included as a nitric oxide boosting drink. Each drink on here will aid in boosting nitric oxide levels in some way, even if it is not immediately obvious as to how. Sow now, let’s get into this list.
1. Milk
If you are a vegan or are lactose intolerant, this one might not be for you. However, if you can and like to consume milk, it can help boost your nitric oxide levels. How? Milk contains roughly 0.20 grams of arginine per serving. Arginine is an amino acid the body uses to produce nitric oxide. There are other foods you can eat that are higher in arginine than milk, but milk is still a great way to get more arginine in your diet for boosting nitric oxide production. If you do not like whole milk, plenty of other milk substitutes such as oat milk, almond milk, and cashew milk also contain arginine. Being a dairy product, yogurt also contains arginine, so if you do not like these as individual items, consider blending these with some fruits and veggies to make a delicious smoothie to boost your nitric oxide levels!
2. Cucumber Juice
Cucumbers are a great source of citrulline. Citrulline is an amino acid the body can use to produce NO. This works by converting citrulline into arginine, which is then converted into NO. Some argue that since citrulline just gets converted into arginine, it is better to just consume arginine-containing products, but some research suggests consuming citrulline creates more arginine bioavailability than just consuming arginine. However, since both are used to promote NO production, you should consume healthy amounts of both amino acids through your diet or supplements. Cucumber juice is not only a good source of citrulline, but also a good source of nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. These vitamins help slow down the depletion of nitric oxide. You can drink cucumber juice as it is, or add lemon and ginger for a zesty and hydrating drink.
3. Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate juice is one of those things that does not directly lead to NO production but boosts nitric oxide levels based on antioxidant properties. Pomegranates are an excellent source of antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium. Antioxidants work by eliminating the free radicals in the body that create oxidative stress. Oxidative stress depletes NO faster and inhibits the body’s ability to produce NO naturally, so we want to get rid of those free radicals. Pomegranate juice contains powerful antioxidants that will help nitric oxide stick around longer to give us all those wonderful benefits we need to stay healthy. Pomegranate juice is sweet, so it can easily be consumed by itself or added to a vegetable juice or smoothie to naturally sweeten it. If you have insulin sensitivity, be sure to check the sugar content to avoid unwanted spikes.
4. Blueberry Juice
This one may sound weird, but it’s a thing. You can make this at home by pressing some blueberries or blending them with a little water. It is a little harder to find blueberry juice bottled, and it is usually mixed with other fruits and berries when you do find it bottled. For this, we want just the blueberries. Why is this? Blueberries are one of the richest sources of antioxidants you can get your hand on. One particular type of antioxidant blueberries has high concentrations of is anthocyanins, which are found in red, purple, and blue fruits. These antioxidants have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
Blueberries also contain loads of other nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese which all work toward supporting healthy body functions. Blueberry juice is naturally sweet, so it is great to drink alone or to add to other juices as a natural sweetener. Blueberry juice is great first thing in the morning for a natural energy boost and nitric oxide level booster to start the day right!
5. Mixed Berry Juices
Now that we have distinguished blueberries, we can look at the mixed berry juices. Juices that contain strawberries, cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, and goji berries all contain antioxidants that fortify cells against the damage that oxidative stress can cause. Here is a concise list of the antioxidants you can get when you drink a juice containing these berries:
- Strawberries. Contains the antioxidant pelargonidin, which is an anthocyanin. Also contains ellagitannins and procyanidins.
- Cranberries. Contains antioxidants such as quercetin, myricetin, peonidin, and ursolic acid.
- Blackberries. Contains antioxidants such as tannins, ellagic acid, anthocyanins, and cyanidins.
- Raspberries. This berry contains an antioxidant profile similar to strawberries, with antioxidants such as ellagic acid and quercetin.
- Goji Berries. These berries contain antioxidants such as zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthin, among others.
Most berries have a sweet or sour flavor profile, making them great to drink as is or blended with other fruits and/or veggies into a smoothie.
6. Green Tea
Green tea is one of the most recommended health drinks on the planet, and for good reason. This type of tea is loaded with polyphenols, which help protect the body from inflammation. Green tea also contains antioxidants such as catechins which help protect cells from damage. This means oxidative stress won’t cause as much trouble by inhibiting nitric oxide production. Furthermore, green tea contains essential vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and multiple B vitamins. Some sources say that when choosing a green tea blend go for the high-quality options. Choosing a cheaper, low-quality green tea may contain excess fluoride, which inhibits NO production. So go find a high-quality green tea and boost those nitric oxide levels. Green tea is great as is or you can add a little honey if you like it on the sweeter side.
Are There Other Drinks That Can Boost Nitric Oxide Levels?
Simply put, yes. There is no limit to the drinks you can use to boost your nitric oxide levels. Some other drinks that can boost your nitric oxide levels in some capacity include:
- lemon juice
- lime juice
- suped-up water (water with fruits/veggies added to it
- plain old water
- herbal teas
- apple juice
- tomato juice
Yes, the list goes on! If it is a fruit or vegetable that can be made into a juice, chances are it has some properties that boost nitric oxide levels to some capacity.
Can I Use Only Drinks To Boost Nitric Oxide Levels?
No. There are plenty of foods that you can eat to boost your nitric oxide levels. Furthermore, you can make some daily habit changes to boost your nitric oxide levels as well. Some tips you can implement today to bolster your NO levels include:
- limiting mouthwash use
- go for a brisk 15-minute walk
- practice nose breathing
- get a little sunlight
- get rid of your cigarettes
Final Thoughts
There are some other tips and tricks you can use to boost your nitric oxide levels, but this is a great start for making the changes necessary to keep your nitric oxide levels as high as possible as you get older. Implement the tips above and add some of these juices to your diet today and set yourself up for success. Nitric oxide is too essential of a molecule for you to not prioritize boosting your nitric oxide levels. For more healthy living tips and information on nitric oxide, check out the rest of our blog.
These Foods Kill Nitric Oxide
This article is likely to attack your guilty pleasure foods, so I’m apologizing right now in advance. I like junk food and fast food as much as the next guy, but the foods in this article are KILLING your nitric oxide levels. Why does this matter? Good question. Let’s explore the importance of nitric oxide as well as the foods we enjoy that kill our nitric oxide levels.
Let’s face it, most of us are suckers for crunchy foods, sweet foods, deep-fried foods, and other delicious guilty pleasures we all know are bad for our health. Some of us use these foods for comfort, for celebration, and for every occasion in between. However, despite the textures and flavors we crave from these foods, they come at a cost. We pay that cost with our vitality and health. In terms of health, the price is high blood pressure, high cholesterol, an increased risk of becoming obese, and more. In terms of vitality, the price is becoming sedentary, developing a lack of stamina and energy, and of course the death of nitric oxide.
Why Killing Nitric Oxide Is So Detrimental To Our Health
Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous molecule produced naturally in the body. It dilates our blood vessels and helps our cells communicate, among a plethora of other health benefits. The dilation of blood vessels is known as vasodilation, and this is the most important function NO has in our body for keeping us healthy. When blood vessels dilate, they widen and allow for greater blood flow. This improves the delivery of oxygen and key nutrients throughout the body. As I already said, nitric oxide is naturally produced in the body. However, as we age this production naturally decreases. This means we have to work harder to keep our nitric oxide levels up as we age.
Unfortunately, many of the foods we enjoy only kill nitric oxide faster rather than preserve it. These foods not only kill our nitric oxide levels, but they have detrimental outcomes for our overall health and unforeseen consequences for those that are dear to us. Nobody wants to watch someone they love consistently make poor food choices that hurt themselves and those around them. Our food choices have multiple consequences such as:
- Physical Health
- Mental Health
- Relational Health
- Financial Health
Let’s explore these consequences a little before diving more into the specific foods that will kill your nitric oxide levels.
Physical Health
This one is the most obvious for most people. When we consume foods that are overly processed, sugary, high in saturated fats, etc., we develop a multitude of health problems. Some of these include:
- High blood pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Increased risk of diabetes
- Risk of becoming overweight/obese
- Poor circulation
Other factors such as activity level, genetics, and environmental factors are at play as well. However, no one can deny that nutrition plays one of the biggest roles in overall health. As the saying goes, “you are what you eat.” We have to make good food choices to avoid killing our nitric oxide and developing these health problems.
Mental Health
This one is starting to get more attention in recent years but still needs to be addressed. Our mental health controls much of our physical actions. Many people turn to comfort foods to address mental health struggles, which only serves to increase physical health problems. People look to junk foods to cope with issues such as anxiety, depression, chronic stress, acute stress, grief, and more. So if we want to improve our physical health, we must also improve our mental health. Some quick tips for better coping strategies than eating foods that kill nitric oxide include:
- Exercise
- Set small goals for yourself
- Set up a healthier reward system
- Choose healthier comfort foods
- Do something you enjoy
- Spend time in nature
- Spend time with friends/family
- Engage in writing/journaling to express your emotions
Relational Health
Most of you might not have considered this consequence of food choices, but how you eat has a ripple effect that intersects with your relationships. These relationships can include significant others, friends, family, coworkers, and just members of your community. All of these are relationships that you are a part of. Your food choices can negatively impact all of these. Not only can poor food choices kill nitric oxide, but they can create problems in your marriage, problems in your friendships, problems at work, and so on. Obviously, some of these are less likely than others, but still in the realm of possibility if your food choices are taken too far too often. Your choices do not affect just you. Every choice you make has a greater impact than you might realize.
Financial Health
This consequence again is contextual. Junk food is in some cases cheaper than healthier options depending on where you live. However, over time those purchases can add up in a big way. Let’s say you buy a basic cheeseburger and fries meal three times a week because your schedule is hectic and you don’t think you have time to cook. If this meal costs approximately $8 per meal, you are spending $24 per week on fast food. That’s $96 per month and $1,152 per year. That cost adds up over time. Imagine the healthier foods and other purchases you could make if you weren’t spending over $1,100 per year on junk food.
How One Bad Meal Can Kill Nitric Oxide
Just to put the importance of food choices in perspective, there was a study conducted looking at how fast food affects nitric oxide. After just one meal, endothelial health was hindered for about 6 hours post-meal. The endothelium is where NO is produced. The meal led to tighter blood vessels and the endothelium function was impaired. While this effect is temporary, if you eat like this often, these effects last longer and take longer to recover from.
The impairment happens due to the free radicals released from fast food that create high oxidative stress. This oxidative stress inhibits NO production. Free radicals literally kill nitric oxide molecules. Making good food choices matters!
Which Foods Kill Nitric Oxide?
Now that we have discussed the impacts of poor food choices not just on nitric oxide, but on overall health and quality of life, it’s time to call out the foods that kill nitric oxide.
1. High Salt Foods
A high-salt content is common in heavily-processed foods because it enhances the flavor. A little bit of salt is good for you because it can replenish electrolytes in the body. However, too much salt restricts blood vessels. This can lead to high blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Studies have also shown that excess salt intake reduces nitric oxide production substantially. Research shows salt usage should not exceed 5 grams per day. The World Health Organization cautions against consuming more than 1 teaspoon of salt daily to reduce the risk of developing rdiovcaascular problems.
Foods that are high in salt you should avoid include:
- Canned veggies
- Salad dressings
- Chips
- Salted nuts and seeds
- Pre-packaged foods
2. High Saturated Fat Foods
This one is where fast food really shines. Most fast food options come packed with saturated and trans fats. These foods have been shown to reduce endothelial function for several hours after each meal. If you eat fast food all day, it can lead to 18-24 hours of endothelial impairment. Furthermore, eating foods high in saturated fats can lead to the development of high cholesterol, particularly your low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). As a general rule of thumb, you want your high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) to be high and your LDL to be low. Unfortunately, foods high in saturated fats raise your LDL, which is bad. Having high LDL reduces nitric oxide production. Since fast food is high in saturated fats and trans fats, your LDL will skyrocket over time.
If you want to avoid killing your nitric oxide, stay away from these foods high in trans and saturated fats:
- Fried foods such as french fries
- Fast food
- Cooking oils
- Fried processed foods such as potato chips
- Bacon
- Hot dogs
- Processed meats
3. Sugary Foods
I am a huge fan of sweets, but unfortunately, too much sugar can kill nitric oxide. Studies have shown that a high glucose diet leads to a drop in nitric oxide production. We can avoid this by watching our sugar intake to avoid sugar spikes. Foods that are high in glucose include:
- White bread
- White rice
- Milk
- Syrup
- Candy
- Cakes
- Cookies
- Ice cream
- Doughnuts
- Sugary drinks
- High starch foods such as potatoes
- Pasta
Substitute these white grains with foods such as quinoa, beans, and of course fruits and veggies. You do not have to cut all sweets, but you want to keep your sugar intake to no more than 24-36 grams per day to avoid the negative effects of excess sugar consumption.
Be Mindful To Not Kill Nitric Oxide
While it is essential to avoid foods that kill nitric oxide, you can also look into ways to boost nitric oxide as well to offset poor food choices. An occasional slip-up is something you can bounce back from. The key is making sure you are being mindful of your food choices as often as you can to avoid killing your nitric oxide. We all need that molecule as plentiful as we can keep it. Make sure you share this article with your family and friends. To learn more about healthy living tips and the importance of nitric oxide, check out the rest of our blog here.