Case in point: studies at Keele University in the UK found a high percentage of aluminum in the brains of those who died of Alzheimer’s disease. People exposed to the toxic effects of aluminum in the workplace were at high risk of getting this disease.
The connection between aluminum and Alzheimer’s
A 66-year-old Caucasian male developed aggressive early stage Alzheimer’s disease after 8 years of occupational exposure to aluminum dust. This, the scientists conclude, “played a decisive role when aluminum entered the brain through the olfactory system and lungs.” Such a case is not the only one. In 2004, high levels of aluminum were found in the tissues of a British woman who died in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. This happened 16 years after an industrial accident dumped 20 tons of aluminum sulfate into local water bodies. There are also many studies proving a link between high aluminum levels and neurological diseases.
Aluminum as a harmful effect of production
Unfortunately, there is an occupational risk for those who work in industries such as mining, welding and agriculture. Not to mention the fact that we inhale aluminum with cigarette smoke, smoking or being near smokers. Aluminum dust, getting into the lungs, passes through the blood and spreads throughout the body, including settling in the bones and brain. Aluminum powder causes pulmonary fibrosis, which is why people who deal with it in the workplace often get asthma. Aluminum vapor also has a high level of neurotoxicity.
The ubiquitous aluminum
Despite the fact that there is a natural addition of aluminum in soil, water and air, this rate is often significantly exceeded due to the mining and processing of aluminum ores, the production of aluminum products, the operation of coal-fired power plants and waste incineration plants. In the environment, aluminum does not disappear, it only changes its shape by attaching or separating other particles. Those who live in industrial areas are at increased risk. On average, an adult consumes 7 to 9 mg of aluminum per day from food and some more from air and water. Only 1% of aluminum ingested with food is absorbed by humans, the rest is excreted by the digestive tract.
Laboratory tests have found the presence of aluminum in food, pharmaceuticals and other market products, which indicates that the production process has problems. Shocking facts – aluminum has been found in baking powders, flour, salt, baby food, coffee, cream, baked goods. Cosmetics and personal care products – deodorants, lotions, sunscreens and shampoos are not left out of the black list. We also use foil, cans, juice boxes and water bottles in our household.
A study published in the journal Environmental Sciences Europe analyzed 1431 plant-based foods and beverages for aluminum content. Here are the results:
- 77,8% had an aluminum concentration of up to 10 mg/kg;
- 17,5% had a concentration of 10 to 100 mg/kg;
- 4,6% of the samples contained over 100 mg/kg.
Additionally, aluminum gets into food when it comes into contact with dishes and other objects made of this metal, since aluminum is not resistant to acids. Usually aluminum cookware has a protective oxide film, but it can be damaged during operation. If you cook food in aluminum foil, you are making it toxic! The aluminum content in such dishes increases from 76 to 378 percent. This number is higher when food is cooked longer and at higher temperatures.
Aluminum reduces the excretion of mercury from the body
The reason for this is that aluminum interferes with the production of glutathione, an essential intracellular detoxifier needed to reverse the oxidative process. The body needs sulfur to make glutathione, a good source of which is onion and garlic. Sufficient protein intake is also important, only 1 g per 1 kg of human weight is enough to get the required amount of sulfur.
How to deal with aluminum?
- Studies show that drinking one liter of silica mineral water daily for 12 weeks effectively eliminates aluminum in the urine without affecting important metals such as iron and copper.
- Anything that increases glutathione. The body synthesizes glutathione from three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. Sources – raw fruits and vegetables – avocados, asparagus, grapefruit, strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, melons, broccoli, peaches, zucchini, spinach. Red pepper, garlic, onion, Brussels sprouts are rich in cysteine.
- Curcumin. Studies have shown that curcumin has a protective effect against aluminum. It reduces beta-amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. In patients with this disease, curcumin can significantly improve memory. There are some contraindications: Curcumin is not recommended if there are biliary obstructions, gallstones, jaundice, or acute biliary colic.