Purpose of running this test:

The Drinking Water Analysis Test determines if your drinking water is a source of the toxins noted on your other toxic metal tests, such as the HMT, UTM or FMT. For instance, if you are consistently excreting high doses of uranium, arsenic, aluminum, or lead on multiple toxic metal tests, it is possible that you are being exposed to an ongoing source of toxins. Your water supply is the first place to look. I have seen situations in which individuals have been chronically ill for years, trying everything they could to recover, only to find that they had been consuming high levels of arsenic or some other toxin in their water. Arsenic requires adequate methylation for excretion. In one individual, the continued ingestion of arsenic, along with suboptimal methylation, combined to create chronic illness.

Some water systems use potassium permanganate to treat the water. If you have this kind of system, and your system is not functioning properly, high levels of manganese can be left in your water supply. High manganese can impact your ability to utilize GABA, which is needed to balance glutamate. High manganese can impact other neurotransmitters as well, and cause some types of psychosis.

The balance between copper and zinc is important for attention and focus. High levels of copper in your water supply may upset this delicate balance. Running a water test on both your home and work water supplies is something to do earlier as opposed to later in this health program. It helps you rule out continued exposure to and ingestion of toxins that may be responsible for all or part of your symptom complex.

Primary METALS This table contains the rationale behind my suggestions. These suggestions are for your consideration. Defer your choices to your own health care practitioner, as always.
Antimony Antimony can bind to ‘thiol’, which means SH groups, which are needed to help escort mercury from your system. Also, antimony may inhibit the MAO enzymes, which may interfere with the natural breakdown of dopamine and serotonin. Antimony can accumulate in your adrenals and thus play a role in fatigue.Consider adding sources of ‘thiol’ groups, such as SeleniumMetalAway, or DetoxAway. Consider low dose Wasabi, low dose Selenocysteine, and/or low dose Ion Transport compound, which has both Wasabi and SelenocysteineBroccoli and Garlic are also options. Also, consider OraAdrenal for adrenal support.
Arsenic Methylation cycle function is needed for arsenic excretion. Arsenic can bind both to thiol, which are SH groups, as well as phosphate groups. It can cause vitamin A deficiency. Symptoms of arsenic toxicity can include white streaked nails, a garlic odor emanating from your body, and/or under pigmentation. Arsenic toxicity may also cause hair loss, problems with folate uptake, or weakness, among other symptoms. At the very least, consider short cut methylation support, support for the pathway that goes from homocysteine to methionine using the BHMT enzyme. All in OnePhosphatidyl Serine Complex (PS/PE/PC)DHA and Methylation Support nucleotide blend all support the short cut. If lithium is in balance, also support the long route, the route that uses the MTR and MTRR enzymes. These supports include low dose Methylmate AMethylmate B, and B12. Also, thiol supports may be useful, such as SeleniumMetalAway, or DetoxAway; low dose Wasabi, low dose Selenocysteine, or low dose Ion Transport compound, which has both Wasabi and SelenocysteineBroccoli may also be helpful. To support phosphate, consider phospholipids such as Phosphatidyl Serine Complex (PS/PE/PC) and Riboflavin-5-Phosphate.
Beryllium High levels of beryllium may affect lymphocyte proliferation and respiratory function, as well as cause adrenal insufficiency and fatigue. Consider T cell and B cell support capsulesOraAdrenal may also be used for additional support. The Muscle Fatigue Support compound supplement can be considered if fatigue is an issue. Low dose Respiratory Support nucleotide blend may also be helpful.
Copper

Ideally, your copper levels should be lower than zinc to favor a higher zinc to copper ratio. High copper has been implicated in ADD.

Copper is the cofactor that works with the enzymes MAO A and MAO B to break down dopamine and serotonin, so high copper may engender a higher degree of degradation of these two neurotransmitters. Running a Neurotransmitter Urine Test and a MAP test gives you an indication of both the levels of serotonin and dopamine, and a measure of their breakdown.

Excess copper has also been reported to cause fearful thoughts. If copper replaces zinc in your brain, it may be a factor in migraines, so zinc support may help you with this, as well as bring your copper into better balance.

Ways to help bring copper into better balance include the use of MolybdenumZincCarnosine, and increased EDTA. EDTA is found in MetalAwayEDTA soap or soak, and DetoxAway. You can also use BactiSolve if you have NO shellfish allergies.

Check molybdenum levels, because often copper will be high when molybdenum is too low. Molybdenum can be low due to high taurine, which is measured on a UAA test. When taurine is processed via sulfite oxidase, molybdenum can become depleted. In addition, high levels of sulfur can have the same effect of depleting molybdenum. Molybdenum may also be depleted due to chronic yeast infections, which can be checked on a Vaginosis Test, or in the gut via a CSA test and GI Test.

Lead

Lead can deposit in bone and replace calcium there. Lead can also affect ATPase, which reduces the production of this energy molecule. This negatively impacts both sodium and potassium levels, as well as energy production.Lead can bind melatonin, tryptophan, and serotonin. Consider a MAP test and a Neurotransmitter Urine Test to look at energy markers, as well as neurotransmitter levels.

Lead excretion can cause pica, teeth/jaw grinding & aggression. Eating inedible objects may be a sign that lead is being excreted. You may need to consider support to help escort it from your system. Elevated 5-amino levulinic acid (ALA) due to lead toxicity can inhibit Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), so consider extra GABA if needed.

Since lead replaces calcium in bones, consider low dose Bone Support nucleotide blend. Vitamin D and K impact calcium absorption, so add a mineral combination that includes vitamin D and K, such as Cal/Mag/VitD/VitK. Also, for bone health, watch strontium and boron levels. Consider MTR/MTRR/SUOX capsules to support strontium and boron. Also, consider EDTA and MetalAway (or selenium + horsetail grass + low dose EDTA + malic acid) to help escort lead from your system. Also, use additional EDTA in EDTA soap or soak as tolerated. Consider using BactiSolve if you have no shellfish allergies, as another source of EDTA. Consider ATP and/or MitoForce to support ATPase.

Thallium Thallium inhibits mitochondrial energy and ATP. It also inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis. It may cause hair loss and anorexia. Thallium can also cause riboflavin to be sequestered in the body. So Riboflavin-5-Phosphate support should be used, especially if MAP test results show imbalances in the Krebs energy cycle. Consider support with ATPRiboflavin-5-Phosphate, and/or MitoForce to address the impact on energy. Also, All in One for low dose DNA and RNA support, and AHCY/SHMT compound, or direct addition of nucleotides.
Uranium

Uranium can readily combine with nucleotides in your body and can deposit in your bones. It can also cause chronic fatigue. Consider All in One for low dose nucleotide support. Consider AHCY/SHMT compound for nucleotide support, or direct nucleotide supplementation. Consider using Muscle Fatigue Support compound and low dose Bone Support nucleotide blend.

Ultifend and Quercetin can be considered to help with damage to DNA nucleotides secondary to uranium.

Barium Barium can displace potassium, and may cause an increase in stress hormones. It may also cause tingling and weakness of muscles. Consider potassium support with Potassium Citrate. If Krebs intermediates are low on a MAP test, then use Krebs Magnesium-Potassium Chelates. If gut pH is very low then consider Potassium Bicarbonate. Also, Stress Foundation nucleotide blend and low dose Muscle Support nucleotide blend may be a help. In addition, Padma Basic may help with weak muscles and restless leg syndrome if they are issues.
Cadmium

High levels of cadmium will definitely cause symptoms. Your body uses zinc as a cofactor for over 50 critical enzymes. However, if zinc is deficient, your body will replace it with cadmium. Cadmium is just below zinc in the periodic table, so it fits perfectly into zinc binding sites. Enzymes that make protein, such as RNA transferase, and alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme involved in alcohol processing, are impacted by this problem. Other important enzymes are also negatively impacted. Cadmium may also bind to glutathione (GSH) making it ineffective. It may also negatively impact bone health and cause respiratory symptoms. Consider supporting with Zinc Lozenges, or Krebs Zinc, if your Krebs intermediates are low on a MAP test. Also, use MetalAway and/or EDTA to help escort cadmium from your system. Since cadmium can bind GSH, consider supporting with GSH. Low dose Bone Support nucleotide blend may also be helpful.

Cadmium may decrease the Cytochrome P450 enzyme system, so consider I-3-C Plus (Indole-3-Carbinol and DIM) capsules to support CYP 450. Since cadmium replaces zinc in arteries, adults may want to consider low dose Heart Support nucleotide blend and Hawthorn Extract. Also, use Vitamin E and low dose Ion Transport support capsules for cadmium, as it helps to prevent the cadmium induced suppression of the CFTR enzyme. Also, work on supporting methylation, as weak methylation capacity is related to susceptibility to cadmium.

In addition, lithium, which is in both Be Calm Spray and All in One, may help to protect against the negative impacts of cadmium, especially with respect to hormones such as testosterone, LH, and FSH.

Mercury

In addition to a wide range of neurological symptoms, mercury can also cause increased salivation, rashes, and metallic taste in your mouth. It can impact cytochrome P450, and may replace selenium in the T4 to T3 reaction, thus causing thyroid hormone imbalances. Consider support with Selenium or MetalAway. Also, GSH and I-3-C Plus (Indole-3-Carbinol and DIM) capsules may be considered. Ultimately, you can support re-myelination with Sphingolin.

Work on methylation cycle support to help allow the natural detox of mercury. Also, the use of low dose Ion Transport compound may help support detox because it contains Selenocysteine and Wasabi to aid in escorting mercury from your system.

Basic methylation support includes All in OnePhosphatidyl Serine Complex (PS/PE/PC)DHA and Methylation Support nucleotide blend. Once lithium is shown to be in balance on a HMT, then consider low dose Methylmate A and Methylmate B, along with extra B12.

Nickel

Nickel can cause significant skin rashes, allergies, dermatitis and inflammation. Consider Riboflavin-5-Phosphate, especially when phosphorus is low and nickel toxicity is present.

Consider nucleotide blends such as General Support nucleotide blend and Cytokine Balance nucleotide blend to help with itching.

Clear Skin spray may be used for topical skin support.

Selenium

Very high levels of selenium are toxic, so the goal is to be within normal range for this mineral. Methylation cycle function is needed to remove excess selenium, so until methylation support is in place, and you know you have good methylation pathway function, do not use high dose selenium. Consider support with MetalAway or other sources of Selenium. Use low dose Ion Transport compound as a source of selenocystene, or just use low dose SelenocysteineGSH and Vitamin E succinate aid in maintaining selenium levels. Excretion of mercury, antimony, arsenic, and/or thorium may lead to a greater need for selenium support. DetoxAway can be considered for higher dose support during detox once effective methylation support is in place. As always, work with your doctor.

Basic methylation support includes All in OnePhosphatidyl Serine Complex (PS/PE/PC)DHA and Methylation Support nucleotide blend. Once lithium is shown to be in balance on a HMT, then add low dose Methylmate AMethylmate B, and extra B12 in the appropriate form.

SecondaryMETALS

 

This table contains the rationale behind my suggestions. These suggestions are for your consideration. Defer your choices to your own health care practitioner, as always.

Aluminum Aluminum can impact the Krebs energy cycle, so consider a Metabolic Analysis Profile (MAP test) if high levels are seen on in the water supply. Also, aluminum can negatively impact tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) levels, which in turn affects dopamine, serotonin and melatonin levels. A Neopterin / Biopterin Profile Urine Test can be run to help evaluate BH4 levels. Consider adding MetalAway, or selenium, horsetail grass, low dose EDTA, and malic acid. Also, consider additional EDTA and EDTA soap or soak as tolerated. If you do not have shellfish allergies, consider using BactiSolve. Use MTHFR A1298C Liver Support capsules and/or BH4 to help support BH4 levels. Use Vitamin E succinate if succinate levels are low on the MAP test. You can consider a UAA test to look at phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan levels to see if additional BH4 support can be considered.
Iron

Excess iron is pro-oxidant and drives bacterial virulence. Iron helps to increase SHMT activity, which diverts methylation intermediates from both the MTR/MTRR enzyme reaction, what I call the long route around the methylation pathway, and the BHMT enzyme reaction, the short cut. Limiting iron is particularly important for those who are SHMT +.

Iron can bind tryptophan, so it may reduce serotonin levels.

H2S frees up iron, so check taurine and sulfur levels. If taurine and sulfur are high, then consider that excess iron may be an issue.

High iron levels may be related to high methionine, so if your methionine is high on a UAA test, check your iron levels.

Lactoferrin and/or AHCY/SHMT compound may help bind and transport iron to where it is needed in your body. Also, if your iron is high, work to shift acidic environments to alkaline environments, because acid increases iron. So, consider Buffer pHVitaOrgan, and/or Stomach pH Balancing nucleotide blend. Either sodium bicarbonate or Potassium Bicarbonate can be used to help balance pH depending on your need for sodium or potassium. Check pH on a CSA test, GI Test or by testing urine with pH strips.

Also, consider VDR/FOK Pancreatic Support capsules, because iron can cause blood sugar issues when it replaces zinc.

Manganese

If high manganese is the issue, consider increased EDTA support. Excessively high levels of manganese can cause psychosis as well as seizures.

Toxic doses of manganese can impact both GABA and taurine levels and affect their transport. If an individual is intolerant to GABA supplementation in spite of symptoms that suggest a need for GABA, this may be related to high manganese in the water supply.

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Related Tests to Run

Fecal Toxic Metal test and Urine Toxic Metals and Essential Element tests can be run, along with the HMT to get a more complete picture of toxic and essential minerals in your body. To save on costs, you can consider rotating the HMT with FMT and UTM/UEE so that one of these tests is run every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on your finances.

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Iodine Test