Nobody keeps a rattlesnake as a pet. Nobody pours turps in their morning coffee. We're pretty good at avoiding the poisons we can actually see.
The ones I want to talk about are sneakier. They're in your kitchen, your bathroom, maybe even your mouth. Most people have no idea they're there at all.
I'm talking about heavy metals.
My journey with toxic overload
This was a big piece of the puzzle for me when I was clawing my way back from years of chronic illness. When your body is already on its knees, the last thing it needs is an extra toxic load it can't clear. Lightening that load became one of the cornerstones of how I rebuilt my health.
So here's what's worth knowing. Where these metals hide, what they can do, and the practical stuff you can actually act on.
The usual suspects
Five metals do most of the damage: aluminium, mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic. They're more common in our environment now than they were a few decades ago, partly thanks to mining and industry. They can be found in our air, water, food, household products, cookware, cosmetics and even some medical and industrial materials.
While our bodies are designed to detoxify naturally, ongoing exposure combined with stress, poor gut health, nutrient deficiencies and toxic overload can place a significant burden on the body.
For some people, this toxic load may contribute to symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Headaches
- Hormonal imbalances
- Digestive issues
- Nervous system dysregulation
- Mood changes
- Joint pain
- Immune dysfunction
- Chronic inflammation
While heavy metals are rarely the sole cause of illness, they can be one piece of the puzzle when it comes to chronic health issues and feeling "off" in your body.
Common Heavy Metals & Where They're Found
Aluminium
Aluminium is in more places than you'd think. Cookware, foil, soft drink and beer cans, antiperspirants, antacids, baking powder, plenty of processed food. It's been associated with effects on the nervous system, and has been associated with issues such as headaches, memory concerns, fatigue and reduced mineral absorption.
Mercury
Mercury has one big source most people never consider: old "silver" dental fillings. Despite the name, amalgam fillings are mostly mercury, not silver. You'll also find it in certain fish like shark, swordfish and big tuna, and coal-burning power stations release it into the air. Mercury is known to affect the nervous system and immune system and may contribute to fatigue, mood disturbances, neurological symptoms and inflammation in sensitive individuals.
Lead
Lead lives in old paint and old pipes, especially in homes built before the late 1970s. It also shows up in some imported ceramics, cosmetics and hair dyes. It's particularly harmful to children, where it can affect development, behaviour and learning.
Cadmium
Cadmium comes mostly from cigarette smoke, and that includes the secondhand kind, so non-smokers cop it too. It's also in some plastics, batteries and fertilisers, and it's been detected in soft drink and processed food. It's classed as a known carcinogen and tends to accumulate in the kidneys.
Arsenic
Arsenic used to be a real worry in pressure-treated timber, which was once common in decks and kids' play equipment. That treatment was largely phased out for residential use more than twenty years ago, but older structures may still have it. Arsenic also appears in some pesticides and certain shellfish. Long-term exposure may impact the nervous system, skin health and overall cellular function.
You'll never get to zero, and that's fine
Here's the thing nobody tells you. You will never reduce your exposure to nothing. Heavy metals are part of living in the modern world. The goal isn't perfection, it's lightening the load enough that your body can keep up.
That mindset shift mattered for me. I spent too long believing I had to control every single variable, and the stress of trying was its own kind of poison. So take what's useful here and leave the panic at the door.
What actually helps
A few things genuinely move the needle.
Reduce what's in your control
Reduce what's in your control. Swap aluminium cookware for stainless steel or cast iron. Stop wrapping hot, acidic food in foil. Filter your water, particularly in an older house. Choose fresh over processed where you can. The small swaps in your kitchen and bathroom add up faster than you'd expect.
Have a chat with your dentist
Have a chat with your dentist. If you need new fillings done, you can ask for composite instead of amalgam. Whether to replace existing fillings is a much bigger call, and one to make with a professional you trust rather than on the strength of a blog post.
Eat for elimination
Eat for elimination. This is the part I care most about. Your body clears toxins through real food, not gimmicks. Plenty of fibre binds to metals and helps escort them out. Leafy greens, colourful veg, clean protein and enough water do more heavy lifting than any expensive detox powder on a shelf. When you're properly nourished, metals have a much harder time getting a foothold.
Prioritise Daily Detox Pathways
The body detoxifies every single day through:
- The liver
- Bowels
- Kidneys
- Skin
- Lymphatic system
- Breath
Simple practices that may help support these pathways include:
- Staying hydrated
- Gentle movement and exercise
- Sweating
- Dry body brushing
- Deep breathing
- Prioritising sleep
- Stress reduction
- Epsom salt baths
- Sauna therapy (if appropriate)
Work With a Qualified Practitioner
If you suspect heavy metals or toxic overload may be impacting your health, it's important to seek guidance from a qualified healthcare practitioner who understands holistic and functional approaches.
Testing and detoxification protocols should always be personalised and approached carefully, especially for those with chronic illness or nervous system dysregulation. If one practitioner waves you away, you're allowed to find another. I learned that lesson the hard way through years of being dismissed.
None of this is about fear. It's about awareness. You can't change what you don't know about, and now you know.
If cleaning up your home, your food and your environment is something you want to take further, that's exactly what I walk women through inside Mojo Detox. Even just starting with your kitchen this week is a brilliant place to begin.
