Structural and Functional Abnormalities Associated with Various Heavy Metal Toxins

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, April, 2001

                  Structural and Functional Abnormalities
                Associated with Various Heavy Metal Toxins
                       presented by Extended Health
Physiological Impairment
Brain and Central Nervous System
Neurofibrillary tangles                Aluminum
Neuritis, retrobulbar neuritis;        Aluminum, Arsenic, Thallium
neuropathy
Encephalopathy                         Aluminum, Arsenic, Lead, Thallium
Cerebrovascular disease                X metals
Alterations in nerve conduction        Lead
velocity
Alterations in the spinal cord         Thallium
Accumulates in CNS structures          Aluminum, Mercury
Abnormal EEGs                          Arsenic, Lead
Autonomic disturbances                 Copper, Lead, Mercury, Thallium
Peripheral Nervous System
Peripheral neuropathy                  Arsenic, Mercury
Alterations in peripheral nerves       Arsenic
Loss of feeling/numbness in the
extremities;
paresthesia                            Arsenic, Mercury, Thallium
Gastrointestinal Tract
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; loss of    Arsenic, Copper, Mercury, Thallium
appetite
Abdominal pain, stomach cramps;        Arsenic, Copper, Lead,
burning of the
throat and mouth                       Mercury, Thallium
Esophagitis; gastroenteritis; colitis  Arsenic, Mercury, Thallium
Cancers (colon, pancreatic, stomach,
or rectal)                             Arsenic
Renal and Hepatic Impairment
Hepatotoxicity; Liver dysfunction,     Arsenic, Copper, Thallium
damage
Cirrhosis of the liver; hepatitis      Copper
Kidney disease; kidney failure         Arsenic, Lead, Mercury
Renal toxicity; tubular proteinosis    Arsenic, Copper, Lead
Kidney Damage, histological            Arsenic, Lead
alterations
Cardiovascular System
Blood vessel damage                    Arsenic
Anemia; decreased red blood cell count Arsenic, Copper, Lead
Hypertension; increased heart
rate (tachycardia)                     Arsenic, Copper, Lead, Thallium
Peripheral vascular disease;
cardiovascular
disease; vascular collapse             Arsenic, Lead
Respiratory System
Pulmonary Fibrosis                     Aluminum, Arsenic
Pulmonary edema                        X metals
Pneumonia, laryngitis, pharyngitis,
bronchitis                             Aluminum, Arsenic, Mercury
Restrictive airway disorders,
asthmatic
conditions, pneumoconisis              Arsenic, Aluminum
Respiratory tract cancers              Arsenic
Nasal ulcers, perforation of the nasal X metals
septum
Immune System
Increased incidences of asthma,
autoimmune-like symptoms, & allergies  X metals
Inhibiton of lymphocytes, T-cells,     X metals
monocytes
Immunosuppression                      Lead
Decreased white blood cell count       Arsenic, Thallium
Reproductive System
Genital abnormalities                  Aluminum, Thallium
Disturbances in menstrual cycle;
menstrual pains                        Copper, Mercury
Birth defects; premature births;
spontaneous abortion                   Arsenic, Lead, Mercury
Reproductive dysfunction               Arsenic, Aluminum, Cadmium, Lead
Other Physical Disturbances
Hypotonia or hypertonia;
decreased muscular strength            X metals
Rashes, contact dermatitis, eczema,
itchy/irritating skin                  Aluminum, Arsenic, Copper, Mercury
Muscle pain; headache; acrodynia;      Arsenic, Copper, Lead, Thallium
colic
Alopecia (hair loss)                   Thallium