We live in an increasingly toxic world and heavy metals are a common source of toxicity. They are ubiquitous in our environment ̶ stemming from a legacy of mining, industrial emissions, lead in paint and gasoline, chemicals in everyday products, amalgam dental fillings, contrasted MRIs, and the use of novel technologies such as nanomaterials.
Although most of these metals play no essential biochemical roles in the human body, they adversely affect multiple organ systems, binding to tissues, creating oxidative stress, hindering hormonal function, and interfering with essential metals in the body like magnesium and zinc. Heavy metal toxicity can play a significant role in chronic fatigue, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s), cardiovascular conditions (heart disease), endocrine dysfunction (hypothyroidism), cancer, etc.
There are some challenges and controversies regarding the diagnosis of heavy metal toxicity and the extent to which it affects an individual. Toxic metals tend to be sequestered in bone and soft tissue. Common blood and urine tests tend to only measure exposures occurring over days and are poor surrogates to measure metals accrued over a lifetime. A potentially more accurate measure of lifetime exposure or “body burden”, is a provocative challenge. This is the measurement of heavy metal excretion (typically in urine) after the administration of a pharmaceutical chelator (a substance that binds to and facilitates the excretion of metals from the body).
We can reduce our burden of toxins by choosing organic, eating fish with lower mercury burden (S.M.A.S.H.: Sardines, Mackerel, Anchovy, Salmon, Herring), asking for composite fillings from our dentists, having our toxic metal fillings removed safely, drinking filtered water, avoiding contrasted imaging studies, and using aluminum-free deodorants.
We can engage in activities that enhance the removal of heavy metals from our bodies:
Drinking plenty of clean/filtered water
Sweating regularly with exercise or sauna7
Eating foods known to be natural chelators. These foods can also prevent the absorption of metals from our diet.
Insoluble fiber
Foods rich in sulfur (onions, garlic, broccoli)
Cilantro
Chlorella
Taking supplements that support the production of glutathione (one of the main natural chelators/detoxifiers produced by the body).
Collagen peptides (rich in glycine and glutamine)
N-acetyl-cysteine
Selenium
Supplementing with glutathione (preferably the liposomal form)
Frequently, diet, lifestyle modification, and supplementation aren’t enough to overcome the negative impact of toxic metals on our health. Specific pharmaceutical chelators need to be employed to facilitate the clearance of heavy metals from the body. They can be administered intravenously (IV), orally, or rectally. The intravenous form tends to be the most effective and best tolerated. We currently offer IV chelation with EDTA, DMPS, and DTPA.
During chelation (key-LAY-shun) therapy, you recline comfortably in a lounge chair for one to three hours while an intravenous solution slowly trickles into your bloodstream. In the meantime, you can nap, talk, or read. Any discomfort or pain is unlikely.
The intravenous solution includes a chelating agent — usually a synthetic amino acid called ethyl-enediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) — along with various vitamins and minerals. The EDTA seeks out toxic metals within your body, such as lead, cadmium, aluminum, and mercury. It also finds certain minerals such as calcium, the “glue” in artery plaque. EDTA then wraps itself around these substances and pull them out of your body via your kidneys. Good minerals may also be wasted, so caution is needed.
Chelation therapy is not accepted by mainstream medical entities and disliked by the medical boards, etc. We make no claims as to the effectiveness and mainly give it to people who request it and have had prior possitive experience with it.
If you suspect food is causing symptoms, contact us today to discuss the best testing options for you.
Huat TJ, Camats-Perna J, Newcombe EA, Valmas N, Kitazawa M, Medeiros R. Metal Toxicity Links to Alzheimer’s Disease and Neuroinflammation. Journal of Molecular Biology. 2019;431(9):1843-1868. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2019.01.018.
Lamas GA, Navas-Acien A, Mark DB, Lee KL. Heavy Metals, Cardiovascular Disease, and the Unexpected Benefits of Chelation Therapy. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2016;67(20):2411-2418. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2016.02.066.
Liu L, Zhang B, Lin K, Zhang Y, Xu X, Huo X. Thyroid disruption and reduced mental development in children from an informal e-waste recycling area: A mediation analysis. Chemosphere. 2018;193:498-505. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.11.059.
Jue Tao Lim, Yue Qian Tan, Linda Valeri, et al. Association between serum heavy metals and prostate cancer risk – A multiple metal analysis. Environment International. 2019. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2019.105109.
Patel H. Comparative Literature Review – Sauna Therapy for Cardiovascular Diseases Due to Heavy Metal Accumulation. Townsend Letter. 2019;(430):22-27. http://search.ebscohost.com.libproxy.uthscsa.edu/login.aspx?direct=true…. Accessed April 6, 2020.
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To create community with patients, and between patients, who value optimal health and alternatives to conventional medicine. To relentlessly pursue answers for each patient’s health challenges while guiding them toward complete healing of body, mind, and spirit.
To provide Christ-centered healthcare where people feel heard andwhere their hope to live and to fulfill their God-given purposes are restored.
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
To create community with patients, and between patients, who value optimal health and alternatives to conventional medicine. To relentlessly pursue answers for each patient’s health challenges while guiding them toward complete healing of body, mind, and spirit.
To provide Christ-centered healthcare where people feel heard and where their hope to live and to fulfill their God-given purposes are restored.
Hours:
Monday – Tuesday, Thursday-Friday: 8:30am – 4:00pm
Wednesday: 9:30am-4:00pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
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Fill in the form below and we’ll give you a quick call as soon as possible to get you on the schedule. If it’s early enough, we may be able to book you same day. If it’s outside our normal business hours, we’ll call you the next day.
Fill in the form below and we’ll give you a quick call as soon as possible to get you on the schedule. If it’s early enough, we may be able to book you same day. If it’s outside our normal business hours, we’ll call you the next day.
Seema first came on almost 2 years ago to work for a separate company owned by the Wells’s. Her and her family have been patients of Dr. Wells at Whole Health for years so for her to find this opportunity was not a far stretch! Though she often works “on the other side”, because the two businesses are right next to each other, in her free time during work she has crossed over to help in a variety of ways whenever she has free time during the work day. She can be seen helping scribe for our providers when the need arises, helping with packing and shipping supplements as time allows, and many other little things. You can say that she is a jacquelyn-of-all-trades! Whichever role she is working in, she truly felt like “God was calling [her] to work at Whole Health” and it has abundantly been a blessing to both her and to us!
Seema graduated with an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at Trinity University and she is currently studying and attending classes to apply for PA school. So to be in the jobs that she has been in, has been a great testimony that the Lord orchestrated her steps to have this experience already as she goes back to school!
Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, taking walks, working outside on her family’s farm, reading, and doing yarn crafts.
As a former EMT and a relatively new Houstonian, when Wyatt first applied for the position, he applied to be a patient advocate. At the time, store and IV associate was in more need, so he was hired for that position. He graciously accepted the offer and served that position with a smile, always learning and striving to help patients and staff feel safe and at home. Both patients and staff alike soon grew to love his humor, friendliness, and heart. He has loved getting to know the patients and making those personable connections with them. Whether talking about sad and hard to take news, obnoxious conspiracy theories, snake bites, or just friendly conversation, he has enjoyed developing those relationships with both patients and staff alike.
After working at that position for a little over a year, his original intent to be a patient advocate came true! He has transitioned seamlessly and helps patients with even greater intentionality, heart, and personableness as before. Like Michelle, he is another bridge from provider to patient when questions need to be answered. He has enjoyed being a part of each patient’s health journey and their path to healing.
When his boots aren’t striding in the office, you will find him, his wife, and three boys loving the outdoors. They enjoy camping (the true, primitive kind), hiking, and hunting. He loves connecting with God’s nature and creation. He also loves to play board games and host game nights with friends.
When Pat and her husband first moved to Orlando in 2012, her husband encouraged her to follow after her dreams. She had desired to do something in the medical field for years. She was intrigued by how you can find out so much about a person by their blood. She got her Phlebotomy certificate and started working at a hospital.
In 2017, her husband went to Houston to help with the Hurricane Harvey clean up. He felt like that there was where they were supposed to be, so she started looking for a job. She really wanted to be in a doctor’s office where she could learn, and also be able to share God’s love with others. After several months of looking, and much prayer, God opened a door for her to become a phlebotomist with the Whole Health team. In her years she has worked in the office, she has not only learned so much, but she has been able to enjoy ministering to patients whether it was treating them, listening to their story, or simply just loving on them. From children to adults, she was adored by many.
In November 2021, her and her husband felt called to move back to Florida, this time to North Ft Myers, to pastor a church. Though working remotely, she still contributes tremendously to the practice. She does the practical job of filing faxes, labs, and so forth, as well as does research for some treatments. However, she still fulfills the ministering part of her job by mailing cards to patients in need of a prayer, word of encouragement, or just a simple Happy Birthday.
She loves being a mom and a grandma and adores spending time with her children and grandchildren!
Coming from being a receptionist at car dealerships, she was introduced to our practice through her friend, Meg Hanley, who just so happened to be one of our providers! Seeking for a fresh start on a new job path, Kayleb took the opportunity to become a front receptionist with us.
Being a receptionist is no small job and she has been thriving greatly! From getting patient appointments set up for the day, talking to patients, relaying calls to the right person, and checking people in, she has done it with such thoroughness, care, and a smile. She has loved creating personable relationships with the patients she interacts with. She has also enjoyed getting to know her co-workers as well. Her words, “best work environment I’ve come to know”.
Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with family, going to the beach, and traveling.
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In Mariela’s first year with us, she started off as our front receptionist. Through her experience then, she found her niche in handling billing and accounts for our patients, thus bore the role that she has today. While that is her primary job, she is still always willing to lend a hand in checking in or checking out patients or any other small task when things get backed up. Whichever job she is doing, she always makes an effort to make our patients’ experience as personable and comfortable as possible.
Before joining us, she has done a wide array of jobs over the years and even attended ministry school (fun fact)! The dynamic skills and experience she has acquired in those environments has shaped her in who she is today. She loves her work family and to be able to work in a Christian-centric environment, where she continually is being shaped into the beautiful human being she is.
In her spare time, she enjoys time with her dog, Oreo, watching funny videos, and listening to her favorite music artists (her favorite being Michael Bublé).
Patient Advocate doesn’t even begin to describe Michelle’s integral role in our practice. Though her role is primarily known to be a bridge between the provider and patient to answer questions, you can make a laundry list of all the things she helps our staff and patients with on a daily basis. She wears many hats, which isn’t too far off from the job she had as a former high school teacher (plus being a mom of 4).
To quote it simply, she believes it was true “divine intervention” that the door was opened for her to join our team. She has demonstrated such leadership and compassion to everything she does. To be able to work in a faith-filled environment on a daily basis to minister to others and pray with them has been such a blessing to her. Combine that with being able to work with an incredible team and interact with our beloved patients, it has been an amazing and purposeful experience.
When not being the “office mom”, she loves being a mom to her kids alongside her husband, Humberto. Sports run heavily in the family, so she will be seen running around with them, cheering them on in any sport they participate in.
While relatively new to our team, Brant has fully immersed himself in the medical realm for about 4 years. Before that, he was a middle school science teacher for more than 20 years, but was always fascinated by the medical field, thus prompted the switch in career paths. One of his passions has always been to help people so in some ways, his jump from helping kids to helping patients with their health is not that far off!
Brant handles much of the supplement sales and always makes sure that our patients, especially our IV ones, feel supported and cared for optimally and personably. As he has been working here, he has been learning something new every day, which always excites him. He also enjoys seeing the teamwork it takes to support everyone from patients to staff.
Along with learning new things, he loves traveling and animals, both of which he enjoys with his wife.
Evelyn has been with the Whole Health family for about 2 years now. You wouldn’t believe it when we say that she studied both her undergrad and master’s in Education! After being a teacher for 5 years, the Lord called her to move elsewhere. Unexpectedly taking a gap year, doing temporary jobs in between, she then was introduced to job openings at Whole Health through a mutual connection. Long story short, she has molded into her role of Design and Marketing Administrator. She manages graphical designs, delegates our supplement store business, and markets for all the things we offer and continue to expand to offer at Whole Health. She is discovering new passions, gifts, and skills as well as developing old ones through her job and enjoys helping even in the smallest of details.
Evelyn enjoys serving in her home church, listening to worship music, spending time with the ones she loves, and eating her favorite foods and cuisines. She hopes to travel more in the future as she also loves exploring nature and God’s creation.
