I’ve always passed detox trends off as phony wellness fads.
When I started to hear about the dangers of heavy metal toxicity, my feelings began to change.
Conversations around heavy metals have emerged in wellness circles many times over the years. Around 2020, it seemed like half my TikTok feed was filled with influencers chugging heavy metal detox smoothies, celery juice, and chlorophyll water — some were even taking heavy metal detox baths, and contemplating detoxes for kids.
I was first introduced to the concept by the wellness-obsessed Kourtney Kardashian, who wrote about her detox plans in a blog post on Poosh.
“My doctor actually put me on the keto diet a couple of years ago for a metal detox. He tested my muscles and found that I had high levels of mercury and lead in my system,” Kardashian shared.
“Once it gets going, I was told that being in a state of ketosis can also be anti-aging, produce higher levels of HGH in the body, reduce anxiety, and increase energy,” she added.
RELATED: The best heavy metal detox supplements, and advice from experts
Kardashian’s characterization of detoxing was pretty on point. According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, humans are exposed to various metals through the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and even personal care products that we slather on our bodies.
While small amounts of metals are safe and key to organ functions, too many can lead to unwanted side effects. Research has shown that metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic can accumulate in the body’s tissues and bind to cells, preventing them from functioning properly and causing harm to vital, organs, including the brain and the liver. Symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, and weakened immunity.
Jump to the present day, and I still hear “heavy metal detox” like it’s a ghost haunting me under my childhood bed, and it’s only a matter of time before I come face to face with it. I was desperate to find out: Was detoxing the secret cure for a cleaner, healthier body or just another empty promise in the wellness space?
After speaking with a detox specialist and arming myself with a bottle of liquid zeolite from Touchstone Essentials, I decided to try a month-long heavy metal detox experiment myself. The results were shocking.
What are heavy metals and why are they dangerous?
“Heavy metal poisoning is not a health concern to be left untreated, especially since the symptoms can be mild and easily overlooked,” explained Dr. Alicia Armitstead, the founder of Healing Arts, Manhattan’s Premier Integrative Health and Wellness Center.
Armistead, who also has an advanced post-graduate certification in Nutrition Response Testing Advanced Clinical Training, and 18 years of experience building personalized detox programs for her patients, warned that “If left untreated, heavy metal poisoning can result in death or permanent damage to the body.”
Armistead cited several examples of potentially dangerous heavy metals — lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, iron, copper, zinc, aluminum, beryllium, cobalt, manganese, and arsenic. According to Armistead, too much exposure to any of these heavy metals can affect the nervous, pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, skin, reproductive, and skeletal systems in varying degrees.
What are the symptoms of heavy metal toxicity?
Individuals may experience both internal and external signs of heavy metal toxicity.
“Symptoms of heavy metal toxicity include headaches, skin rashes, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, irritability, brain fog, low immune system,” explained Armistead.
There is no single image of what heavy metal poisoning looks like, as it depends on the levels and types of metals a person is exposed to. Some people could display all of these symptoms, while others only suffer from a few, or just one.
Besides evaluating symptoms, there are a few more accurate ways to diagnose heavy metal toxicity. Armistead has suggested a blood, urine, or hair analysis. These tests can reveal if individuals have above-average levels of metal in the blood.
How to detox heavy metals
When I asked her how to detox, Armistead suggested some lifestyle changes — like eating better-quality seafood, using aluminum-free deodorant, and ensuring my makeup was free of titanium. But, for a more serious cleanse, she recommended finding a high-quality detox supplement.
“We support the body using supplements to pull heavy metals out of the cells and into the lymphatic system,” said Armistead. “The lymph carries it Into the bloodstream. The blood carries the heavy metal to the liver and kidneys to be detoxed and then excreted out through the urine or bowels.”
According to Armistead, the highest-quality heavy metal detox supplements have chelating agents, which are chemical compounds that bind to heavy metals in cells. When paired with other binders like clay, charcoal, or fibrous foods, chelators should help pull heavy metals out of the liver and kidney and excrete them through the urine or bowels.
After doing some research, I landed on the Touchstone Essentials Zeolite Detox Pack, a daily formula that incorporates activated hydrated zeolites for a whole-body heavy metal cleanse.
Touchstone Essentials Zeolite Detox Pack
Why try Touchstone Essentials in a world filled with thousands of detox supplements that can be delivered to your door in no time? Not to mention, several superfood-packed diets also promise similar results.
For me, it was simple. The Zeolite Detox Pack from Touchstone Essentials is trusted by several doctors, backed by thousands of five-star reviews, and third-party tested for purity, safety, and efficacy.
Also, I hate dieting. I’ve struck a great balance between eating nutritious plant-based meals and indulging in an occasional glass of wine and midnight ice cream, and I have no plans to change that. I wanted to incorporate a supplement that would help remove metals on a deeper level — something even a better diet might not be able to erase.
Armistead also liked the ingredients in the Touchstone Essentials Zeolite Detox Pack,“[Pure Body] is a good-grade zeolite that helps detox at the cellular level,” she noted. “It’s a mineral that takes the place of the heavy metal, so as zeolite goes in and gets absorbed, heavy metal is pushed out of the cells.”
The science behind the Zeolite Detox Pack is simple and sensical — even for me, someone who hardly passed High School Biology. Pure Body Natural Liquid Zeolite detoxes the gut, while the Pure Body Extra Natural Nanosized Zeolite supplement reaches the cellular level. Together, they work together for a full-body cleanse.
Touchstone Essentials uses a natural, whole Clinoptilolite zeolite that undergoes a proprietary cleansing process to remove any pollutants from the zeolite so that it is primed and ready to trap new toxins. It’s also packed with minerals, so bad toxins are replaced with beneficial minerals.
My Touchstone Essentials heavy metal detox review
Full disclosure: Anything with the word detox lights up my nervous system like a Christmas tree. As I stated earlier, I am not someone who is great at sticking with a routine or committing to anything that requires time, energy, or, well…hunger.
With the Zeolite Pack, I planned to try it for 30 days and see how I felt. If nothing happened, I could always chuck it in the supplement graveyard beneath my sink, where all the other unproven pills are laid to rest. At best, I expected to have a little more energy through the day, like running on a slow-release of espresso shots.
Fortunately, the Zeolite Pack instructions were easy to follow, and no mixing or pill popping was necessary. All I had to do was use the tasteless drops and spray three times a day for a continuous, daily detox. So I did what any good detoxer does and started toting my little Zeolite Pack with me everywhere — work, the gym, dinners out.
And then, I waited.
Heavy metal detox diary
Day One: Nothing.
It was 5:30 A.M, and my toddler woke me up. I still felt exactly like myself. No less energy, no more energy. The same wave of stress rolled over me, and the inevitable internal dialogue began — How many minutes do I have to get ready for work? What is my daughter going to eat for breakfast? Did I forget to do the laundry last night?
I dropped my Zeolite into my coffee and began sipping. Its lack of smell and flavor was both somewhat relieving and mystifying. I expect chemical compounds to taste, well…. chemical-y. I carried on and headed to work.
Day Three: Small improvements.
At first, I was wondering if the detox was working at all. But, by the third or fourth day, I was noticing mild improvements in my overall energy level.
In the morning, I skipped my coffee altogether and survived the day just fine. In fact, by the time I got home, I was actually looking forward to working out rather than dreading it. Let me clarify: It wasn’t a supercharged, ready-to-conquer-the-world type of energy, but a clear, focused, and consistent energy.
Week Two: Snatched.
As I went to get dressed, I noticed something. My jeans fit better. Like, way better. It was a miracle. I wasn’t altering my diet much at all through this detox, but I suddenly felt like the typical bloating that I experienced after meals was just melting away. I felt lighter, even if it wasn’t showing on the scale.
I was also falling asleep faster and sleeping through the nights, something I hadn’t done for almost two years thanks to pregnancy and then a baby. Even my daughter seemed calmer before bed, and I was wondering if she was also adopting my new sense of zen.
Week Four: Enlightenment.
I wasn’t someone who thought I needed to detox. Besides the general fatigue of being a working mom, I didn’t have any clear symptoms of heavy metal toxicity. But based on the changes I endured in those 30 days, I now believe I seriously needed to detox.
By day 30, my thoughts felt sharper, my energy steadier, and my brain fog was nearly eliminated. For reference: I wasn’t even checking my mileage on my runs, I was just running. Physically, my skin was brighter, the bags under my eyes were almost gone, and I even lost three pounds. Some of my regular cravings were squashed — I found myself reaching less for the afternoon sweet treats. A friend mentioned I was smiling more.
Pros of a heavy metal detox
While it’s difficult to know how many metals were trapped and removed through this process, I can speak to how I felt and how I am still feeling post-detox. Energized. Awakened. Enlightened. Some might say I’m coo-coo for writing this, but I’ll say it anyway. This detox changed my life.
I’ve tried a variety of supplements and diets — from collagen powders to green juice cleanses, and even LED light therapy. This detox was extremely low-effort, and the results were tangible. After a couple of weeks with the Zeolite Pack, my energy, digestion, and sleep quality all kicked up a gear. That is more than I could ask for from a tiny bottle of liquid.
Cons of a heavy metal detox
Okay, let’s get the less exciting stuff out of the way.
For a minute, I found myself hung up on the word “daily” before “detox” — are there really any supplements that you should feel safe taking forever? Upon researching, I found that Zeolite Clinoptilolite has been granted GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status by the FDA. Fears eased.
As with any zeolite cleanse, dehydration is a possible side effect. Since zeolites attract water to facilitate the detoxification process, Touchstone Essentials also suggests drinking between eight to 10 glasses of water a day (something I already have taken care of thanks to my BrüMate Tumbler).
I never experienced this side-effect, but it’s worth putting out there for people who struggle to meet their daily hydration goals.
The final verdict
Don’t expect immediate results. It takes some time for the zeolites to begin trapping the heavy metals and flushing them out of your cells and gut. Over time, I began noticing more subtle changes that turned into mind-boggling ones — from one less coffee cup to a new waist size.
More importantly, I felt a new level of control over my thoughts and my body. When faced with the slightest adversity, I used to want to run and hide in a corner. Now, when work starts piling on, I feel invigorated by the challenge. I’m starting to wonder if the heavy metals in my body had made me go mad (or at least, high-functioning mad).
As Dr. Armistead pointed out, the science behind heavy metal detoxing is still evolving, and everyone’s body reacts to detoxing differently. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach for anything health-related, but if there is one detox I would recommend it’s the Zeolite Pack.
For me, heavy metal detoxing isn’t a myth — it’s real, it works, and it might just be the key to unlocking the healthiest version of yourself.
How we tested
I used three main criteria to evaluate the effects of the Touchstone Essentials Zeolite Pack over 30 days: physical health changes, cognition changes, and my overall well-being.
Physical Health
- Weight and digestion changes: Monitored bloating, inflammation, and digestion and took my weight once a week.
- Hair and skin changes: Looked for any differences in my skin texture, brightness, and redness, as well as how much hair I was losing in the shower.
- Energy levels: Tracked my level of fatigue or energy upon waking up, working out, and going to bed every night.
- Sleep patterns: Noted any differences in sleep, waking up through the night, and how rested I felt waking up in the morning.
Cognition and Mental Health
- Brain Fog: Assessed how focused I felt through the work day, and how many breaks I needed to re-focus.
- Mood and emotions: Monitored any shifts in emotional state, stress levels, and differences in overall mood, especially when tasked with work.
- Memory: Assessed my ability to retain both short-term and long-term memory.
Overall Wellbeing and Lifestyle
- Exercise performance: Marked any noticeable differences in stamina and strength while working out. Also tracked recovery, and soreness following workouts.
- Social impact: Evaluated whether there was any impact the detox had on my daily life — if side effects interfered at all with social life, appointments, or daily responsibilities.
- Dietary Changes: Noted any differences in hunger levels, cravings, and whether there were any food aversions through the detox.
- Sustainability: Considered how much effort it required to stay committed to this detox, using the Zeolite Detox Pack three times a day.
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