Does Your Body Absorb Heavy Metals? Bioavailability Explained

The body doesn’t absorb all heavy metals people ingest from food. Heavy metals occur naturally in soil and water and can enter the food chain, but the gastrointestinal tract acts as a selective filter that blocks, binds, and helps eliminate much of what’s eaten. The article explains bioavailability—the fraction absorbed—depends on factors such as other foods consumed, nutrient status, gut health, and age. It distinguishes nonessential metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic from essential minerals that also fall under the “heavy metal” chemical category. It cites adult absorption estimates: lead 3%-10%, cadmium 3%-8%, mercury 12%-79%, and arsenic 60%-70%.