Chapter 7: Starved and Poisoned: The Dual Crisis of Missing Minerals and Rising Metals
What happens when the building blocks of life vanish — and their toxic counterparts take their place?
The Real World Health Consequences Of Trace Mineral Deficiencies
Research continues to uncover the links between deficiencies of trace minerals and a wide range of chronic illnesses, immune dysfunction, and increased susceptibility to infections.
A 2022 comprehensive review of nutritional deficiencies, emphasized that micronutrients are crucial for sustaining life. The inadequacy of any component of the metabolic system directly affects both individuals and societies, manifesting as poorer health, reduced work capacity, decreased educational accomplishment, and lower earning potential.
Scope of the Problem
In both industrialized and developing countries, micronutrient deficiencies (as currently known and measured) affect more than 2 billion people of all ages, particularly pregnant women and children under five. Micronutrient deficiencies have been linked with almost 10% of child deaths.
Iron, folate, zinc, iodine, and vitamin A rank among the most commonly occurring micronutrient deficiencies worldwide (again, I argue these are repeatedly mentioned largely because we routinely look for and measure their presence or absence).
Studies show that these deficiencies contribute to intellectual impairment, poor growth, perinatal complications, and higher morbidity and mortality. In addition, research associates micronutrient deficiencies with accelerated mitochondrial decay (a big one here) and degenerative diseases of aging..
What We Don’t Measure
Although the above should be unsettling, I maintain it is not unsettling enough. Nearly every scientific paper I have read on this topic focuses on a couple of handfuls of minerals—iron, folate, zinc, iodine, sometimes selenium, copper, and boron.
But again, as above, what about molybdenum, vanadium, manganese, lithium, silver, sulfur, cadmium, chromium, and dozens of others? What happens when we are deficient in any one—or several—of those? Very little is known. And what happens if we are deficient in the even broader array of trace minerals that exist and whose names you have never heard of? I maintain these have been “forgotten” or “ignored,” or what I think is more likely, “unmeasured”
Now you know why I am calling the under-recognition of and lack of research into trace and rare minerals one of the biggest “black holes” in the biomedical sciences, something that, as in a prior chapter, AI now recognizes?
Enter The Growing Scourge of Heavy Metal Excess In Our Soils
If you thought the problem of rapidly dwindling trace minerals and/or the lack of study into the broader array of dozens of trace minerals was bad enough, the story gets worse for planet Earth and its citizens. We are also living in a world where heavy metals are being deposited into our soils at a similarly rapid rate.
From this 1987 study:
Human civilization and a concomitant increase in industrial activity has gradually redistributed many toxic metals from the earth’s crust to the environment and increased the possibility of human exposure. Among the various toxic elements, heavy metals cadmium, lead, and mercury are specially prevalent in nature due to their high industrial use.
One study, terrifyingly titled, “Human Exposure to Heavy Metals over the Last 100 Years,” concluded that widespread heavy metal contamination remains a significant global issue impacting food safety. More specifically this review, titled “Heavy Metals in Foods and Beverages: Global Situation, Health Risk, and Analytical Methods,” discussed how industrialization and intensive agriculture have contributed to increased concentrations of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury in soil and crops over the years.
The authors highlighted the risks posed to human health through accumulation in staple foods like rice, vegetables, and meat, emphasizing a growing trend of contamination linked to human activities and pollution.
Know that the “heavy metals” that are most commonly absorbed by the human body from food or water consist of: lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, chromium. Although aluminum is not a heavy metal it is often mistaken for one despite the fact it is actually the second lightest metal next to titanium. Most, but not all of these metals have no physiological role in the human body and are considered toxic, with the potential to cause organ damage, neurologic effects, cancer, and other chronic diseases when exposure or accumulation occurs.
Some metals (like chromium) exist in both toxic and non-toxic forms; for instance, trace amounts of chromium(3+) are essential, but chromium(6+) is highly toxic and carcinogenic. Aluminum, although present in literally everything we eat, is not considered essential, and excessive accumulation can have adverse neurological and bone effects.
The potential sources of these heavy metals vary, and all are harmful when absorbed in significant amounts.
Lead: Found in contaminated water, pipes, some foods, and food containers.
Mercury: concerning amounts of methylmercury are absorbed from fish and seafood.
Arsenic: Present in groundwater, rice, and some drinking water sources.
Cadmium: Found in certain grains, vegetables (from contaminated soil), and shellfish.
Chromium: Can be found in water and some foods, especially if contaminated.
A Double Worry: How Mineral Deficiency and Heavy Metal Overload Are Associated With A Large Spectrum Of Human Diseases
Now let’s ask the question: “Is the specific combination of trace/rare earth mineral deficiency (TMD) and heavy metal excess (HME) associated with the development of specific illnesses?
Now, before I get accused of scaremongering, it is probably a good time to include a disclaimer before we go further. What I am about to present are “associations” which are not to be interpreted as “causations”, OK?
But still, hang in and hold on to your hats, folks, the answer to the question of how many diseases are “associated” with TMD/HME is beyond disturbing. So, I will just start us off slowly, OK?.
Alzheimers Disease
Numerous studies find that Alzheimer’s patients have increased levels of heavy metals, while other studies find that Alzheimer’s patients have significantly reduced levels of Copper, Zinc, and Selenium. Shocker.
Autism
In this Saudi Arabian study, hair samples from 77 children with autism were compared to controls. They found significantly higher levels of toxic heavy metals mercury, lead, arsenic, antimony and cadmium in autistic spectrum disorders as compared to the control children. Moreover, hair samples from children with autistic spectrum disorders contained significantly lower concentrations of calcium, copper, chromium, manganese, iron and cobalt, as compared to normal children..
Cardiovascular Disease
One study compared Iranian farmers with cardiovascular disease (CVD) to those without and found that the group with CVD consumed rice, bread, and vegetables that had higher levels of arsenic, lead, and strontium. These elements were also present in elevated concentrations in their urine. Unsurprisingly, deficiencies in the trace minerals zinc and iron were also found.
What door have we “slowly” opened here? Are there other diseases associated with the combination of TMD/HME? I asked AI, “List all the disorders and diseases where research studies have found an association of trace mineral deficiency with an excess of heavy metals.”
I warned you, the answer is absolutely terrifying (references are all hyperlinked under category title)
Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Cognitive impairment, neurodegeneration (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s)
Developmental disorders: reduced IQ, ADHD, behavioral problems in children
Encephalopathy, seizures, hearing loss, memory problems, ataxia
Psychiatric and Behavioral Disorders
Fatigue, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, irritability, schizophrenia
Kidney and Liver Diseases
Chronic kidney disease, renal tubular dysfunction, proteinuria
Changes in liver function
Hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart attack, arrhythmias, vascular damage, stroke
Autoimmune Diseases and Immune Dysfunction
Increased risk of autoimmune disorders, immune system dysfunction, inflammation
Bladder, lung, kidney, liver, stomach, prostate, pancreas, and skin cancers
Chromium, arsenic, cadmium are recognized human carcinogens
Chronic respiratory disorders (asthma, COPD), pulmonary edema, cough
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, GI bleeding, pancreatitis
Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
Type II diabetes, thyroid disorders, metabolic syndrome
Reproductive and Developmental Effects
Infertility, premature delivery, birth defects, earlier menopause, miscarriage
Bone softening (osteomalacia), skeletal malformations
Dermatitis, skin lesions
If you are asking yourself, “Is Dr. Kory seriously providing scientific evidence that TMD/HME has been found associated with 56 different human diseases and/or symptoms across 12 different organ systems?”
Now, although the answer is “Yes, I am,” I have to add another disclaimer: although studies have found correlations between trace mineral status and various health conditions, correlation does not establish causation. Mineral supplementation has not been proven to prevent or treat these conditions. The associations described are preliminary and based on observational data. They do not demonstrate that mineral deficiency causes these conditions, nor that supplementation can treat or prevent them. Ultimately, you should consult a healthcare provider for medical advice.
But, in that vein, the above body of scientific research represents one of the core hypotheses presented in this book, similar to two-time Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling’s hypothesis from many decades ago:
“You can trace every sickness, every disease, and every ailment to a mineral deficiency.“
Now, clearly, the above quote does not read as a hypothesis. I want to strongly argue that it most definitely was, because the evidence available to him to make such a statement did not exist (recall it was in the pre-ICP-MS era).
In more modern times, I would say it differently, that TMD (actually should be TREMD - trace and rare earth mineral deficiency) is associated with a broad spectrum of human illness, and that, as per a previous answer from AI,
“This suggests that the dietary presence of the essential elements may contribute to the protection of man and animals.”
To the above, I would argue that it ain’t just the essential minerals, but equally likely are the depletion of rare earth elements - recall that we haven’t studied them so we don’t even know how important they can be. This again brings us to an important objective of this book - to spur research into this area of biomedical science.
A Path Forward: How Trace Minerals Can Protect Us From Heavy Metal Toxicity
Here is where things start looking up — and pointing to a solution. Numerous animal studies have found that when trace minerals are deficient, the body compensates by “substituting” those missing minerals with toxic heavy metals.
This raises a fascinating (and long over-looked) hypothesis: perhaps the core problem is not simply that we are overexposed to heavy metals in these modern times, but that we are underprotected. In other words, it may not be exposure alone that determines toxicity, but the.absence of trace minerals that would normally block or buffer their absorption in the first place.
And no, I didn’t just dream this up. This idea was documented decades ago. A review published nearly forty years ago summarized it plainly:
Studies of metabolism and toxicity of these elements have revealed important interactions between them and some essential dietary elements like calcium, zinc, iron, selenium, copper, chromium, and manganese. In general, a deficiency of these essential elements increases toxicity of heavy metals, whereas an excess appears to be protective. Numerous studies in cohorts of both laboratory animals and humans demonstrate this relationship.
Let’s look at a few examples of how this protective effect occurs:
Supplementation Effects
A study of rats found that supplementation with zinc and selenium significantly decreased both the concentration and toxicity of various heavy metals, including lead, mercury, and aluminum. Selenium deficiency, by contrast, indirectly increased lead toxicity, “confirming protective roles in humans.”
Competitive absorption
A human study found clear “competitive absorption interactions” between essential trace minerals and toxic heavy metals, indicating that adequate mineral intake can reduce heavy metal uptake from the gut.
Antioxidant defense and binding mechanisms
Another study detailed additional protective mechanisms of trace minerals, such as their ability to:
Enhance the activity of key antioxidant enzymes (e.g., glutathione peroxidase, which depends on selenium), to reduce free radical damage induced by metals.
Compete for absorption and binding sites, limiting heavy metal uptake and integration into tissues.
Enzyme Protection
Another study also found that sufficient intake of trace minerals can prevent heavy metals from binding to sensitive enzyme sites, thereby preserving normal cellular functions.
Excretion and Elimination
In addition to the above mechanisms, this study found that trace minerals can increase excretion of heavy metals by altering reabsorption and promoting elimination. More specifically, this study gave some examples of how this occurs:
Zinc upregulates metallothioneins — proteins that bind and aid in the excretion of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium.
Selenium forms inert complexes with mercury and arsenic, which are then safely eliminated through urine or feces.
Practitioner Observations
Beyond formal research, several clinicians have observed similar outcomes in real-world settings, but I also want to state at the outset—which you will read more about below—that none of them documented these findings in the form of transparent or organized data to validate:
Gary Price Todd, MD
As described in Elmer Heinrich’s The Untold Truth, Dr. Gary Price Todd — a board-certified ophthalmologist in Waynesville, North Carolina — conducted a five-year toxicity trial with his patients. His protocol included three ounces of plant-derived liquid minerals, three grams of vitamin C, and a daily multivitamin.
Dr. Todd “apparently” used hair analysis to monitor aluminum, cadmium, lead, and mercury — believing it offered a more accurate long-term measure than blood levels, which fluctuate as the body clears these elements.
The purported results followed a clear pattern (I say “purported,” again, because he never produced individual patient-level data; instead, he simply reported his observed findings verbally):
At three months, aluminum, lead, and cadmium rose slightly — a sign he interpreted as mobilization of metals from storage in bone, teeth, and tissue. Mercury levels were largely unchanged.
By four to six months, all four metals had dropped sharply.
In another group measured at eight and sixteen months, aluminum, cadmium, and lead continued to decline, while mercury remained undetectable both before and after.
Todd concluded that effective heavy metal detoxification appears to occur in two stages: first, mobilization of storage metals, and second, excretion — both seemingly supported by mineral sufficiency.
Brian Clement, ND
Brian Clement, co-director of the Hippocrates Health Institute (now Hippocrates Wellness), reported comparable findings. In a 2013 article in Healing Our World, he described patients receiving trace mineral support who consistently showed gradual reductions in measured heavy metal levels over time. His observations reinforced the same idea: maintaining robust mineral balance appears to enable the body to gradually shed toxic metals.
Where Things Stand Now
Although these practitioner reports are not randomized controlled trials, they align strikingly with decades of biochemical and animal data. The convergence of mechanistic evidence, laboratory results, and clinical observation builds a coherent and compelling picture—one that deserves continued scientific attention (and validation).
So, for what it’s worth, my practice partner, Scott Marsland, NP, has submitted an IRB application to formally test this hypothesis at our Leading Edge Clinic. My hope is that this study, if positive and then published, will finally bring rigorous data to a subject long discussed but rarely investigated in a systematic way.
Wrapping It Up
Should I go on—or are we good with the myriad ways in which trace minerals may counteract heavy metal toxicity?
From AI: This suggests that the dietary presence of the essential (Ed: and the non-supposedly essential?) elements may contribute to the protection of man and animal from the effects of heavy metal exposure. Appropriate dietary manipulation thus may be valuable in the prevention and treatment of heavy metal toxicity.
I know, I know —you want to get to the part where I explain how best to address trace mineral deficiency. As you will learn later, my friends, that is what I am dedicating the rest of my research career to exploring.
This body of evidence suggests that adequate dietary intake of minerals may help protect against heavy metal toxicity in both animals and humans, though more research is needed to confirm optimal strategies and establish causality. Appropriate dietary approaches may prove valuable in both prevention and support, but should not replace standard medical care for heavy metal toxicity.
Next: Chapter 8 - Ignored, Then Vindicated: Early Voices on Minerals, Water, and Health
Upcoming Book Publications
Yup — not one, but two books are dropping from yours truly. At the same time? What?
From Volcanoes to Vitality: if, instead of (or in addition to) this Substack version, you prefer the feel of a real book—or the smell of paper—or like to give holiday gifts, pre-order my grand mineral saga, shipping before Christmas.
The War on Chlorine Dioxide: if you want to read (or gift) another chronicle of suppression, science, and survival, grab the sequel you didn’t see coming—shipping mid-January. On this one, I say: “Buy it before they ban it.” Hah!
© 2025 Pierre Kory. All rights reserved.
This chapter is original material and protected under international copyright law. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
I'm trying to buy the e-book (only) for about $10. When I go to the cart it shows that I'm about to buy the combination for $28 something. Cannot find a way to buy only the e-book. Minor problem to solve. So .... Great work, Pierre! Thank you.