There is ever-growing evidence on the toxicity of aluminium being published in leading medical journals such as the BMJ. The harmful effects of aluminium have been known to practitioners of homoeopathy for many years and have been supported by a wealth of anecdotal evidence. In cases of suspected sensitivity to the toxic effects of this metal and its many salts it is most important, therefore, that they should be avoided. This is not an easy task but everyone can reduce their exposure once they know where it comes from.
In general all aluminium cooking utensils such as pots, pans, chip pans, teapots, kettles, pressure cookers, jelly moulds, colanders, baking tins, aluminium foil, etc., should be removed from your home. Most ‘Teflon’ coated pans are made of aluminium. As a quick test — if the metal of a cooking utensil will attract a strong magnet then it will be safe to use it. If not, a complete set of new pans can be bought quite cheaply. Glass, ‘Pyrex’, enamels, stainless steel and cast iron are all safe alternatives. When eating out try to select food that is unlikely to have been prepared in aluminium utensils (this also applies to canned foods).
If you like Chinese ‘take-away’ meals, enquire about the metal of the wok, and if it is safe, use your own ‘Tupperware’ instead of the usual foil containers for transport home. Do not buy cakes, pies, puddings, etc., cooked in aluminium moulds. Avoid any food wrapped in aluminium foil or supplied in containers with foil tops (such as yoghurt). Fruit juices often come in aluminium-lined cartons, beer and soft drinks in aluminium cans. Pub beer may be drawn from aluminium casks. Many teabags have aluminium added in the process of manufacture, so it is safer to use loose tea. Instant coffee is often a source of aluminium toxicity too. If booster immunisations are required request them without the adjuvant aluminium acetate.
Aluminium is used frequently by the food processing industry as a bleaching, emulsifying and raising agent, so look at the labels on all pre-prepared foods. E173 (aluminium) must be completely avoided. E541, E554, E556 are aluminium salts, and they also should be avoided. Most ‘table’ salts have aluminium added so use a ’natural’ sea salt if possible. Processed cheeses contain aluminium. Do not use any antacid tablets (or other remedy) for indigestion unless it contains no aluminium salts e.g. Magnesium Trisilicate Mixture. Aspirin is believed to enhance the absorption of aluminium into the body. Buy toothpaste in a plastic tube and of the gel type, usually available in health food shops. Some water authorities add aluminium salts to the water supply to act as a clearing agent, but this is giving way to iron which is cheaper. Use Brita or reverse osmosis filters in this case.
Avoid sitting near to radiators with aluminium reflectors or backing. Pharmaceutical products in heat sealed aluminium "blister" packs are also a risk.
The general rule is that, wherever heat or other radiation is used in conjunction with aluminium, toxic effects appear in food and the body of the consumer. In some cases a copper bracelet worn on the wrist is a protection but in such cases a zinc supplement may be necessary.