An expanding body of evidence pinpoints associations between exposure to environmental toxins—such as lead, mercury and cadmium—and disruptions in cellular functions, particularly within the liver and kidneys, organs that are central to detoxification and metabolic regulation.
In addition to exacerbating inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, research suggests that heavy metals can alter insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function. This can contribute to increasing the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease, as well as neurological disorders.
Findings from an investigation in over 6,000 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) published in the JAMA Open Network medical journal recently linked urine metal levels to cognitive decline and dementia risk.
Led by researchers from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, it evaluated urinary metal levels—both essential (cobalt, copper, manganese and zinc) and nonessential (arsenic, cadmium, lead, tungsten and uranium) individually and as a mixture—along with cognitive test scores, time to dementia diagnosis and the influence of additional factors like the APOE4 genotype.
“In this study, participants with higher concentrations of metals in their urine, compared with those with lower concentrations, had worse performance on cognitive tests and greater likelihood of developing dementia,” the study reported. “These findings could inform early screening and personalized interventions for dementia prevention based on individuals’ metal exposure and genetic profiles.”
Chronic exposure to neurotoxicant metals
Heavy metals in the environment can accumulate in the body with chronic exposure, potentially leading to the gradual onset of liver disease, kidney damage, development disabilities, cognitive decline, headaches, allergies, skin rashes, digestive problems, depression, anxiety, brain fog and infertility, among other issues.
On a recent episode of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) podcast, celebrity functional medicine doctor Mark Hyman, who struggled with diagnosing his own mercury poisoning acquired while living in China, discussed the importance of understanding the impact of toxic compounds like heavy metals on human health and the additional protocols now required to rid the body of environmental contaminants.
“These toxins are not just poisons in the sense that they are toxic to us, but they also have enormous effects on our metabolism, and they interrupt insulin functioning, they interrupt mitochondrial functioning—which is how we burn calories,” Dr. Hyman said.
He explained that although the body has its own detoxification systems, those systems are now overloaded with the burden of toxins, and he highlighted add-on elimination strategies like sweat through sauna, flushing through hydration and upregulation of compounds like “master antioxidant” glutathione through food or supplementation.
“Glutathione is the main detoxifying compound the body makes, and we get depleted in that,” he told podcast host and EWG president Ken Cook. “When people have depletion of glutathione, they tend to be sicker—we see this pretty universally in the data, and low glutathione just means that your body is trying to get rid of these toxins and can’t.”
Dr. Hyman, who launched a highly curated online supplement store in 2004, noted that there are a lot of products that can support the mobilization and excretion of toxins including N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), lipoic acid, methylating vitamins like B12, B6, folate, zinc, selenium and fiber.
The detox product market
According to Future Market Insights, the detox products market is projected to grow at a healthy compound annual growth rate of 5.9% from $38.5 billion in 2024 to $68.54 billion by 2034.
“The detox products market is witnessing remarkable growth, driven by the global shift towards health, wellness and natural lifestyles,” the market research firm noted. “As consumers increasingly prioritize functional and clean-label products, the demand for detox solutions has surged, positioning this market for robust expansion in the years to come.”
While data shows that the pharmaceutical segment dominated the space with the largest revenue share in 2024, dietary supplements from herbal products to probiotics continue to explore and promote cleanse claims. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any over-the-counter products for chelation or detoxification of heavy metals.
Prominent supplement brands selling toxin-elimination support include Standard Process, Metagenics, Nature’s Sunshine, Pure Encapsulations and Touchstone Essentials. Formulas rely on a variety of ingredients and extracts including choline, chlorella, zeolite, milk thistle, broccoli, green tea, zinc, selenium, N-acetyl cysteine, fruit pectin, alpha lipoic acid and L-methionine.
Dietary supplement company Thorne, which educates consumers about heavy metals and other environmental contaminants, offers MediClear-SGS—a rice-and-pea protein formula with a complete multi-vitamin/mineral profile, antioxidant nutrients and broccoli seed extract to “support the body’s detoxification processes against the toxic insults of a modern world.”
The Thorne portfolio also includes Liver Cleanse, a combination of berberine, milk thistle, burdock and chicory extracts formulated to “stimulate the production of bile, which helps carry toxins out of the body.” Its FiberMend product “supports the elimination of toxins from the body by binding the toxins released into the intestines from the liver and preventing their reabsorption,” according to the company.
Jennifer Greer, ND, MEd, director of medical education at Thorne, said that while associations as those reported in the JAMA Open Network paper on metal traces in urine do not equal causation, they are in line with previous research on individual heavy metals and cognitive function and may be one of many contributing factors in the development of cognitive decline.
“High levels of heavy metal exposure can have negative health effects regardless of age or previous health status, and the ubiquitous nature of metals in the earth’s crust along with modern farming and manufacturing practices have led to increased human exposure,” she said.
Regarding supplement ingredients that can help support the body’s normal detoxification processes, she listed vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, N-acetyl cysteine and glutathione.
“Before starting any kind of heavy metal detox support, it is important to discuss symptoms and concerns with a healthcare practitioner,” she added. “If testing is recommended, it will help to determine the level of heavy metal toxicity that might be present, and a healthcare practitioner can recommend specific treatment options accordingly.”
