Detoxifying Lead from your Canadian drinking water
Lead [Pb] is found in cheap petrol, paint, and batteries. It's the cause of a whole list of toxic effects. Lead is capable of causing damage to the heart and blood vessels, the kidneys, genitals and immune system. Damage to the brain can also lead to early-onset dementia.
In a key conclusion of a year-long investigation by more than 120 journalists from nine universities and 10 media organizations, including Global News and Concordia University’s Institute for Investigative Journalism, it was shown hundreds of thousands of Canadians could be consuming tap water laced with high levels of lead leaching from aging infrastructure and plumbing.
According to Global News:
"While the water generally contains no lead when it leaves municipal treatment plants, the main sources of the contamination are lead service lines — the pipes that connect homes and apartment buildings with eight dwellings or less to water mains — as well as plumbing fixtures that contain lead and lead solder..."
The good news first and foremost for all the physically active tuning in is, "People who do intensive training are [as a rule] protected against toxic metals that accumulate in our bodies as a result of environmental pollution.
Researchers at the University of Extremadura in Spain discovered that athletes eliminate many of the toxic metals in the urine..."
Source: Eur J Appl Physiol. 2011 Dec 17.
In regards to nutrient supplementation, Magnesium is proving itself a powerful chelating agent (detoxifier) for lead (Pb) and other heavy metals. In fact," Results suggest that oral treatment with magnesium, although inducing later Pb elimination than EDTA, has an even better effect on investigated biochemical parameters than chelating therapy..." Magnes Res. 1997 Jun;10(2):127-33.
Compared effects of high oral Mg supplements and of EDTA chelating agent on chronic lead intoxication in rabbits.
And for all our protein shake devotees, your choice has given you an edge. The amino acid Methionine has proven itself an additional chelating agent of merit.
"While chelating agents enhanced the urinary excretion of Pb, methionine increased the fecal excretion of Pb significantly..."
Biomed Environ Sci. 1989 Sep;2(3):265-70.
Influence of methionine supplementation in chelation of lead in rats.
High levels of methionine can be found in eggs, meat, and fish. For those of you working with your genetic profile and the work of Dr. Ben Lynch, methionine deficiency can be caused by mutations in the MAT1A gene (too deep for the span of this article but a starting point for your own research).
For Vegans, clearly, as in any dietary practice where a portion of the food supply is removed, deficiencies in methylating elements such as folate and B12 and the amino acid Taurine must be supplemented.
And for those taking large amounts of Vitamin D (not a bad thing), your need for Magnesium goes up even more. "People are taking vitamin D supplements but don't realize how it gets metabolized," study co-author Mohammed Razzaque, a professor of pathology at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania, said in a statement. "Without magnesium, vitamin D is not really useful."
Now yours truly was born and raised in Toronto, Canada- with many "charming old neighborhoods" where the water tasted of metals. Beyond the BRITA filter as step one, I did a hair metals analysis at the urging of one of my mentors, Coach Charles Poliquin. Despite much dosing of magnesium and zinc, I was having a tough time getting my levels up- levels pivotal to T levels amongst other priorities. (The test is here: https://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/metals-hair-test )
Cadmium was up for me- taking the "parking spots" for my Mg and Zn. I did about of Modified Citrus Pectin in lieu of EDTA as well as a judicious intake of various Mg chelates and Epsom salt baths (ideal for children as the body autoregulates only absorbing what it needs) and free form amino acid formulas.
Long story short- success. I redid the hair/ mineral test with an optimal mineral profile in my RBC readings.
For clients, fellow Coaches and friends concerned with their own exposures. I would recommend the following:
ATP Synermag (4 caps at night- a rich source of Mg chelates and Taurine)
ATP EAA formula (a very rich source of pure Methionine)- I use 2 scoops during my workout as training support
Workout hard and often- with much clean hydration (don't fill your water bottle from a tap of lead ridden water . .wise guy)
Taking care of your health always!
Who loves ya?
"Coach Mike"
