Aluminum and the Brain

I wanted to start with aluminum’s effect on the brain because I discovered this topic very recently, and I was astounded by how potentially toxic aluminum is, despite its frequent use in society, which possibly suggests that it is safe. Many of us have heard of microplastics and heavy metals being bad for our bodies, but aluminum? It doesn’t seem harmful at all.

Aluminum’s Use in Food

Aluminum is often used in kitchen as aluminum foil and disposable aluminum trays used to cook foods at high temperatures in ovens. Aluminum cans are used to store sodas, energy drinks, and long-lasting canned foods. Aluminum is an industry standard in food processing, being used at high amounts in processed cheese, baking products, artificial coloring like Red 40, and more. The majority of antiperspirants contain aluminum as an active ingredient that blocks sweat glands. Aluminum is a very common metal in our lives.

Aluminum in the Brain

Aluminum is different from many toxins in that it binds strongly to the proteins in the brain and is very hard to remove. How specifically long it takes for the brain to remove aluminum or IF the brain can remove it at all has not been studied extensively in humans. According to this source, the elimination half-life of aluminum is reported to be 7 years. Another source extrapolates 50 years for complete elimination from findings about aluminum removal in rats to humans. Although the study acknowledges the low level of accuracy in this extrapolation, such a high number is concerning, and even if it’s much lower, taking years to naturally remove aluminum will lead to heavy accumulation in the brain and chronic symptoms.

Aluminum’s Effect on the Brain

Due to aluminum accumulation in the brain over years and potentially a lifetime, it can cause devastating effects on the central nervous system. Aluminum has been consistently linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Multiple Sclerosis. It’s also been suggested by studies that aluminum disrupts memory function and can potentially cause dementia.

There are several mechanisms of action for aluminum’s neurotoxic effect. Aluminum has been shown to promote creation of Beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s. Aluminum can also increase free radicals in the brain causing DNA damage and cell death.

However, despite very strong evidence, many authority sources don’t acknowledge or don’t fully acknowledge aluminum’s effect on the brain, probably since they have strong liability reasons and they wouldn’t want to place blame on people and say “you caused your [neurodegenerative disease]” without absolutely irrefutable evidence.

But still, the evidence is clear that although we can’t say for 100% certain that aluminum will directly CAUSE these issues, it’s undoubtedly neurotoxic. It’s extremely difficult to avoid all exposure to aluminum due to it’s heavy use in processing, but limiting use of aluminum foil when making hot/acidic foods would be a good place to start.

Listen to these authority sources if you want. Take anything you read on this website with a grain of salt. I have no scientific background, just an interest. It’s up to you to make decisions regarding your health and always do your own research.