Toxic metal
Heavy Metals
The Vibrant Heavy Metals test is a urine-based test to screen for 20 of the most common heavy metals known to accumulate and cause adverse health effects in the human body. This test can be taken either provoked or non-provoked.
- Heavy metal toxicity is under-represented as a root cause of illness and disease in humans, is thought to affect over 1 million individuals annually, and can affect virtually all biological systems within the human body
- Heavy metals may be the root cause of common neurological disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, autoimmune diseases, and disorders associated with increased oxidative stress and cellular dysfunction
- Due to the ability of many heavy metals to deplete critical nutrients such as antioxidants and minerals, the Vibrant Heavy Metals test should be run alongside a Vibrant Micronutrient panel, to assess both intra- and extracellular levels of commonly affected nutrients
- Populations at greater risk of heavy metal toxicity include developing fetuses, children, and the immunocompromised, as well as individuals with impaired liver function and reduced antioxidant activity
- Heavy metals are present in all regions of the United States, and can accumulate in air, soil, and drinking or ground water sources in and around concentrated sources of heavy metals from industrial production or pollution
- Some professions and hobbies are at greater risk of heavy metal toxicity, including fuel, munitions, painting, rubber manufacturing, industrial smelting, mining, photographic processing, agriculture, semiconductors, welding, and waste or radioactive waste disposal sites
- The World Health Organization (WHO) considers 13 heavy metals of significance to human and environmental health: arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, mercury, manganese, nickel, lead, tin, and titanium, however, there are other metals and metalloids that may be significant causes of health problems in humans.
Biomarkers in this category
19 biomarkers · optimal ranges shown
a nonessential element considered by some to be more toxic than arsenic
Considered a carcinogenic heavy metal.
a silvery-white metal found in nature.
A percentage of assimilated Lead is excreted in urine. Therefore the urine Lead level reflects recent or ongoing exposure to Lead and the degree of excretion or endogenous detoxification processes. Sources of Lead include: - old lead-based paints, - batteries, - industrial smelting and alloying, - some types of solders, - Ayruvedic herbs, - some toys and products from China and Mexico, - glazes on (foreign) ceramics, - leaded (anti-knock compound) fuels, - bullets and fishing sinkers, - artist paints with Pb pigments, - and leaded joints in municipal water systems.
Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element found on earth found in nearly all rocks and soils. It is used as fuel for nuclear power plants and the nuclear reactors that run naval ships and submarines. It can also be used in nuclear weapons. Depleted uranium is used in military applications, including as a shield to protect against ionizing radiation, as armor in military vehicles, in munitions to help them penetrate enemy armored vehicles, and as a counterbalance on helicopter rotors. Uranium can be ingested through the lungs, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and can be absorbed through the skin. Uranium can stick to plant roots so unwashed root vegetables are a primary source of uranium in the diet. However, Brazil nuts are also found to have high levels. The majority of uranium that is inhaled through the lungs or ingested through the GI tract is not absorbed and leaves the body through the feces. However, water-soluble sources of uranium being ingested may lead to kidney problems. As a result, the kidneys are the most impacted organ system by uranium exposure, both chronic and acute. The primary mechanism of uranium toxicity is direct damage to DNA from alpha particle interactions. Therefore, uranium may also cause chromosomal abnormalities. The main manifestation of uranium exposure is cellular depletion of antioxidants and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as increased oxidative stress. Altered genomic stability and increased oxidative stress are hallmarks of aging. As a result, uranium intoxication may disrupt many biological processes which could lead to the risk of accelerated aging and developing age-associated conditions.