Did you know that IV therapy from our Toronto clinic has the potential to help alleviate anxiety? When combined with lifestyle modifications and nutraceuticals, IV therapy could play a role in mental health support.

The cause of a mental health concern isn’t always simple. Some patients undergo years of therapy to figure out the root of their mental health issues; they’ll even try various treatments without knowing the trigger behind something like major depression.

Now did you know that heavy metal exposure could contribute to poor mental, cognitive and neurological health? Indeed, this factor might play a role in a brain- or mood-related treatment plan!

If your health goals include refreshing your outlook on life, this article provides some insight on how heavy metal toxicity could be considered as a possible cause for suffering from mental illness. We discuss the link between heavy metal toxicities and mental health, treatments, and how to reach the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre for assistance.

The connection between heavy metals and mental health

Excessive exposures to metals like lead or mercury can cause chronic illness and acute health issues in the human body, including thyroid conditions.

Scientists are recognizing the fact that metals could also contribute to mental health conditions. In one study from Spain, “Among adults, exposure to lead (Pb) has been associated with depression, anxiety, panic disorder, reduced cognitive and response capacity, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, and, although not as consistently, with Alzheimer’s disease,” states a 2019 article from Environmental Research.

Heavy metals affect your cognition and mental health condition by impeding brain cell health and functioning. Excessive levels of lead, for instance, could impact cellular functioning and hinder dopamine and serotonin levels. Meanwhile, mercury exposure could increase oxidative stress in the brain, which could distort neurotransmission.

Excessive exposure to cadmium is another example of metal affecting brain health. One particular study that measured cadmium in patients was conducted on those already diagnosed with schizophrenia. In this study, it was shown that: “… lead and cadmium cause lesions including decrease in total cortical volume, white matter, enlargement of cerebroventricular system, changes in gray and white matter and abnormal laminar organization,” explains a piece from the North American Journal of Medical Sciences. 

Treatments that target mental health and heavy metal exposure 

So how do we find out how much heavy metal toxicities are in the body? And how do we remove these toxins with treatments?

Functional medicine programs and therapies could promote detoxification and heavy metal removal. For example, during your initial consultation/complete diagnostic session at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre, we may recommend a heavy metal/urine toxic element clearance profile. Then based on these lab test results, our functional medicine providers would determine a treatment that could eliminate heavy metals; this treatment could also help with supporting mental health concerns caused by heavy metal toxicity. 

Some of the treatments our clinic uses for alleviating heavy metal toxicities and for supporting the body and mind include: 

• Chelation therapy: this involves consuming a chelating agent, which binds to heavy metals. In the body, the agent would encourage the toxicity levels to reduce in both blood and tissue. The chelating agent is then urinated out of the body. Chelators used in this treatment may include EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), or DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid).
• IV therapy (intravenous infusion therapy/IV nutrient therapy): IV therapy drips can be used to relieve a nutritional deficiency and promote detoxification. Rather than ingesting a chelating agent, the agent could be inserted into a saline drip solution and connected to your veins; this allows for the agent to immediately enter the bloodstream and bypass your digestive tract. Other intravenous vitamin therapies may be considered for supporting mood, such as amino acids and additional B vitamins.

Take note: Other key vitamins and key antioxidants may also be recommended for their beneficial effects and for alleviating heavy metals toxicity-related symptoms.

If you think you’ve been exposed to metals and you’re experiencing unexplained depression and anxiety, please consider talking to us. A toxic metals urine test from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre could reveal new details about your wellness and contribute to optimal functioning.

Contact our clinic for functional medicine and IV therapy assessments 

The process of recovery from heavy metal toxicities can be a  journey – so let’s find a way to personalize your treatment plan to reach optimal health. Our functional medicine providers support integrative medicine, so that you can consider different treatments, such as: acupuncture, allopathic medicine, herbal medicine, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, and naturopathy. 

Our personalized service of functional medicine treatments can be applied to different health issues, including immune function, chronic pain, adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, cellular damage, mineral deficiencies, and substance withdrawal symptoms. If you’d like to learn how adjunct intravenous therapy could be combined with lifestyle modifications and nutraceuticals, don’t hesitate to ask! Combining these therapies could support your overall wellness.

Our freshly compounded vitamin drip treatments may include essential vitamins and beneficial ingredients, such as high-dose vitamin C, vitamin A, NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), B vitamins such as Biotin, a medley of amino acids, or major antioxidants. Each vitamin drip therapy is crafted with your energy levels, cellular function and health requirements in mind.

How can our clinic support your mind and body, while encouraging healthy detoxification? Let’s begin by customizing your treatment plan! Contact us at (416) 968-6961 to learn about our integrative approach and IV therapy in Toronto. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

References:

Arena JM, Drew RN. Toxicology-Symptoms-Treatment, Fifth Edition. 3rd Ed. Charles C. Thomas-Publisher, Springfield Il, 1986; & Merritt’s Textbook of Neurology. 9th Ed., Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore & Clinical Management of Poisoning; 1995. Poisoning 1995; p. 753.

Ayuso-Álvarez A, Simón L, Nuñez O, et al. Association between heavy metals and metalloids in topsoil and mental health in the adult population of Spain. Environmental Research. 2019 Dec;179(Pt A):108784. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108784. PMID: 31606614.

Mfem CC, Seriki SA, Oyama SE. Effects of Heavy Metal Toxicity on Anxiety Disorder. J Biomed Res Environ Sci. 2021 Aug 13; 2(8): 660-668. doi: 10.37871/jbres1294, Article ID: JBRES1294, Available at: https://www.jelsciences.com/articles/jbres1294.pdf

Orisakwe OE. The role of lead and cadmium in psychiatry. N Am J Med Sci. 2014 Aug;6(8):370-6. doi: 10.4103/1947-2714.139283. PMID: 25210669; PMCID: PMC4158644.

Rao TS, Asha MR, Ramesh BN, Rao KS. Understanding nutrition, depression and mental illnesses. Indian J Psychiatry. 2008 Apr;50(2):77-82. doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.42391. PMID: 19742217; PMCID: PMC2738337.