Metal and Vitamin Toxicity

I have a strong interest in integrative medicine and I think complimenting modern medicine with Ayurvedic practices is a good idea. But upon doing some research I think there is an area where people should limit their intake. The Center for Disease Control found that, “Some Ayurvedic medicines contain metals and minerals that can lead to toxicity of the liver. “During 2000-2003, a total of 12 cases of lead poisoning among adults in five states associated with ayurvedic medications or remedies were reported to CDC.”
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2004 Jul 9;53(26):582-4.
Another study found that herbs, minerals and metals have led to cases of, “status epilepticus,5 fatal infant encephalopathy,6 congenital paralysis and sensorineural deafness,7 and developmental delay.8 Since 1978, at least 55 cases of heavy metal intoxication associated with Ayurvedic HMPs in adults and children have been reported in the United States and abroad. JAMA. 2004 Dec 15;292(23):2868-73.
The medicines that were found to contain it were; Bal Chamcha, Bala Guti, Bala Sogathi, Balguti, Kersaria, Gesari, Karela, Maha Sudarshan Churna, Mahalakshmi Vilas Ras, Navratna Rasa, Safi, Shilajit, Swarna.
So I would take some caution taking more than the prescribed dosage on these medications.
Also I think this applies to any vitamin or mineral. People have the same problem when they take too much vitamin D. It can lead to vitamin toxicity. Sometimes people think the more vitamins the better but that is not true in this case.