Fecal metal analysis

Fecal metal analysis reflects the dietary metal intake. Minerals, trace elements and potentially toxic metals may be found in food, drink, medication and nutritional supplements. Whatever metals are not absorbed are excreted via various pathways, including the hepato-intestinal system, and for certain elements such as antimony and uranium, biliary excretion into feces is the primary route of natural excretion from the body.

Certain foods such as fish from polluted water may be high in arsenic or mercury, and consumption naturally increases the fecal metal content. Studies performed at Trace Minerals International indicate that most algae product contain various amounts of potentially toxic metals and through fecal testing we evaluate metal excretion.

Due to exposure of mercury in the oral cavity, people with amalgam fillings typically show higher mercury concentration in feces than individuals without amalgams.

Bjorkman L, Sandborgh-Englund G, Ekstand J. Mercury in Saliva and Feces after Removal of Amalgam Fillings. Toxicology & Applied Pharmacology 144:156-162. 1997