What are Heavy Metals
Pollution in Urban Areas is a well-researched and well-documented issue. Even though steps are being taken to reduce its impact on the environment and human health, there are still a number of macro and micro-pollutants to consider and account for. In this case, understanding What are Heavy Metals is of key importance to individuals looking to lead a wellness-focused lifestyle.
The earliest focus on toxins impacting the body can be seen in Ashtanga Ayurveda’s Agatatantra branch. Roughly translating to toxicology, this branch focused not only on how toxins impact the body but also on methods for detoxification. Modern research has identified these toxins as ‘Heavy Metals’. These toxins, such as Lead, Chromium, Cadmium, Arsenic and Mercury, accumulate in the body over a period of time. This early Ayurvedic insight has inspired Dharana at Shillim’s focus on developing Heavy Metal detoxification treatments.
What is Heavy Metal Toxicity
According to the experts at the Dharana Wellness Retreat in India, contemporary research and diagnostic tools point towards food as being one of the main sources of Heavy Metal Toxicity in the body. A major impact can be seen in the gut, which sees a hampered ability to absorb nutrients, symptomatic of a sluggish metabolism.
A 2013 Paper published in the journal ‘Frontiers in Pharmacology’ further indicates Toxic Mechanisms of Heavy Metals. These include
- Disrupted Cellular events such as Growth, Damage Repairing, and proliferation
- Weakened antioxidant defence, leading to oxidative stress.
- Chromium, Cadmium and Arsenic may cause genomic instability, DNA Damage, and defects in DNA Repair.
How to Detox from Heavy Metals
In Urban settings, the presence of Heavy Metals tends to be inescapable, from heavy-duty industrial activities to something as ubiquitous as transportation. While air pollutants can carry these toxins, more common sources are foods, specifically, widely produced fruits and vegetables. This contamination arises from two key aspects – Utilization of synthetic pesticides and transportation into and within cities.
The Dharana Wellness Retreat in India presents the Art of Detox Wellness Programme to combat this. Set in the untamed nature of the Shillim Valley, the programme focuses on non-invasive Spectrophotometry analysis to identify the amount of Heavy Metal Toxicity. Combined with other approaches to Preventative Medicine and Diagnostics, the team of experts at the retreat devises a wholly individualised Dinacharya and Ritucharya – Ayurvedic daily and seasonal routines tailored to your body and needs.
A key detoxing experience at the Dharana Retreat is the focus on Organic, Farm-To-Table cuisine. Produce that is grown with the use of completely natural pesticides and fertilizers is harvested from the in-house organic farm, cooked into a luxurious, healthy meal, and served immediately, providing an experience devoid of Heavy Metal contamination.
While the threat of Heavy Metals is yet to see mainstream attention, a wellness perspective at the Dharana Wellness Retreat in India considers every aspect of the surrounding environment and how it potentially interacts with the Mind, Body, and Soul. In this scenario, it becomes prudent to embark on the Art of Detox Wellness Programme and account for the toxins impacting your body.