The way each dangerous heavy metal affects infants and toddlers
It is noteworthy that not all heavy metals are harmful to your health, as some are crucial for the proper functioning of your body, such as zinc and iron. Nevertheless, when we talk about heavy metal contamination, we refer to those who act as neurotoxins. The following are four of the most dangerous heavy metals and how they affect the health of babies in terms of neurodevelopment:
- Cadmium: This heavy metal can lead to nerve and brain damage, and exposure over a long period will result in selective accumulation in the liver and renal cortex. Up to 75% of the concentration of cadmium will be found in these regions of the body. Some of the symptoms of cadmium exposure that overlap those of autism spectrum disorders are disturbances of sensory and motor functions and poor verbal ability.
- Arsenic: Long-term exposure to arsenic takes a heavy toll on the brain and the nervous system as well, causing disorientation and agitation, both symptoms of some autism spectrum disorders. A recent study found a concentration of 50 ppb of arsenic stemming from drinking water or baby food to result in neurological impairments. Arsenic leads to autism spectrum disorders in children because their blood-brain barrier is still immature, which makes babies vulnerable to the negative health effects of heavy metals.
- Lead: Exposure to lead can have severe consequences for the health of children, as the heavy metal can damage the brain and central nervous system, leading to convulsions and coma. Children who survive lead poisoning often have to struggle with intellectual disability and behavioral disorders for the rest of their lives. The presence of lead in the bodies of children can also cause muscle weakness and trouble with the sense of touch.
- Mercury: The existence of high concentrations of mercury in the body of a child may induce changes in the central nervous system, resulting in behavioral changes, irritability, tremors, hearing, and cognitive loss, incoordination, and hallucinations. Several of these symptoms are akin to those of autism spectrum disorders, which is why only a medical specialist can diagnose a child who was heavily exposed to mercury from baby food.
If you have not been aware of the burning issue of heavy metals in baby food and have been feeding your child toxic products, we advise you to stop immediately and to replace the products with healthy and safe alternatives. By virtue of our new campaign, you can now receive a free package of baby food manufactured by ethical companies that do not skip testing their products for heavy metals.
Get your child tested to check their heavy metal levels
Undergoing testing for heavy metals is a very simple and rapid procedure. It is usually done by drawing a blood sample from their arm or collecting a sample of urine that will subsequently be examined in a laboratory.
Let us know if your child has any of the qualifiable diseases specifically neurological or developmental delay or autism by filling out the form, and we will call you back to see if you are eligible for free heavy metal testing.
