Background: The continuous exposure of the population to xenobiotics inevitably leads to accumulation along with the resulting increased inflammation, related chronic diseases and cancer risk. The authors aim to study dietary factors which modulate the effects of environmental toxicity related to the presence of “heavy metals” in order to minimize the risk of chronic damage in subjects who are exposed to high-toxicity risk areas.

Patients and Methods: Sixteen subjects living in the high-risk pollution in areas between Caserta and Naples which had received a diagnosis of heavy metal poisoning for various reasons were recruited. The following assays were carried out: i) analysis of the composition of membrane lipids, as biomarker of cellular metabolic imbalance; ii) bioelectrical impedance analysis for the evaluation of phase angle and sodium/potassium exchangeable ratio, as biomarkers of inflammatory and metabolic alterations; iii) mineralogram to assess the levels of heavy metals accumulated in hair.

Results: After ninety days of diet and supplementation, there was a significant reduction in the average levels of toxic metals. In particular, 81% of partecipants reported a decrease in the value of lead, 69% in the value of cadmium, 44% in the value of aluminium, 31.3% of participants shown a decreasing in the normal range of mercury due the food plan. In addition, statistical analysis were performed.

Conclusions: The results show that proper food hygiene which leads to fundamental changes in lifestyle can effectively counter bio-accumulation, thereby representing not only a primary prevention strategy but also acquiring real drug value given the therapeutic effects it produces in existing cases of overt pathology.