Fulvic Acid - detox and heal

Fulvic Acid – The Lowdown

 25^th October 2021. Written by Emily Birch for VitalOrganico

Read time: 3 minutes

 So, you’ve heard about fulvic acid, the new nutraceutical kid on the block and you want to know more about it?

 The first thing you should probably know is that whilst it may seem new to the nutritional world, this powerful supplement is actually very, very old. So old in fact, that it’s been around for as long as plants and soil have!

 Fulvic acid has actually been well understood and utilised in Ayurvedic medicine (traditional Indian medicine) for more than 3,000 years. Ancient texts noted that a medicinal substance called Shilajit, a tar-like exudate from the Himalayas containing around 20% fulvic acid, could be used as an immune modulator, a diuretic, could help to lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels and could also be used topically as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic. In Ayurvedic medicine today, Shilajit, and the fulvic acid within it, remains widely known and trusted as a potent and very safe dietary supplement, with the ability to restore energetic balance and prevent several diseases.

What is fulvic acid?

Fulvic acid is a completely natural substance which is found in soil, peat, streams and lakes. Formed by millions of beneficial microbes as they organically break down decaying plants, fulvic acid is found in the humus, which is the highly nutritious layer of earth that feeds existing plants, ensuring that they grow strong and healthy. Humus is like compost; a great natural fertiliser, full of minerals and nutritionally dense. And just as the minerals within it are required for optimum plant health, they’re also required for optimum human health.

Fulvic acid contains more than 70+ bioavailable minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, amino acids and electrolytes. It is soluble in water under different pH conditions, is well absorbed in the intestinal tract and is eliminated within hours from the body.

In the years gone by, we consumed optimum levels of fulvic acid without even realising it, and without the need for additional supplementation. It was present in the fresh fruits and vegetables that we consumed regularly. Sadly, modern farming methods and industrial agriculture mean that this is no longer possible, as by placing maximum crop yield above maximum nutrient yield over many decades, we’ve almost depleted our soils of their nutrients. In turn, we’ve depleted our foods and our bodies of many of the very substances that we need in order to thrive.

Did you know that it’s estimated that you would have to eat more than 36 apples today, to get the same amount of iron as one apple supplied in the 1950s? At the same time, the standard western diet is moving further and further away from the consumption of fresh whole food produce, lowering daily mineral consumption still further.

It comes as no surprise that mineral depletion in our food supply is directly related to mineral deficiency diseases. Indeed, Linus Pauling, Biochemist and two-time Nobel Prize winner once said "You can trace every sickness, every disease, and every ailment to a mineral deficiency."

So, what does fulvic acid do?

• Boosts nutrient absorption. Just as fulvic acid boosts nutrient absorption in soil, studies suggest that it can do the same in the body. Research shows that when nutrients are joined to fulvic acid, they are more easily absorbed by cells. So not only does fulvic acid feed your body with its own nutrients, it enhances the action of other nutrients too.
• Acts as an antioxidant. In plants, fulvic acid behaves in a unique way, in that it can both donate and accept negatively-charged electrons. The donation of electrons is what allows it to work as an antioxidant.
• Supports brain health and may protect against Alzheimer’s Disease. One of the most researched benefits of fulvic acid to date is its ability to support the brain and protect against cognitive decline. A 2011 study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (vol. 27) outlined that “Fulvic acid, a humic substance, has several nutraceutical properties with potential activity to protect cognitive impairment”, and may help stop disease progression of Alzheimer’s. It concluded, “thus, fulvic acid is likely to provide new insights in the development of potential treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease using natural products.”
• Helps to remove wastes – including heavy metals.As fulvic acid delivers beneficial nutrients into cells, it exchanges them for cellular waste which it then removes from the system. It can also bind to and filter out toxic heavy metals - a major cause of lack of vitality and disease in the body.
• Has anti-inflammatory capabilities. Many studies, including one 2018 study, entitled ‘Therapeutic Potential of Fulvic Acid in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases and Diabetes’ indicate that fulvic acid can act as an anti-inflammatory, potentially at levels similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This particular study promised “the potential of fulvic acid to treat overactive immune disorders, specifically eczema”,whilst another study published in 2015 strongly suggested that there was “abasis for using fulvic acid in pharmaceutical therapy against inflammation.”
• Can induce apoptosis in hepatic (liver) cancer cell lines. ‘Apoptosis’ is cell death and yes, you read that right. Research has shown that fulvic acid may play a useful role in reversing liver cancer.
• Defends against fungal and bacterial infections.One study in The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgeryfound fulvic acid to be useful topically, against fungal and bacterial pathogens resistant to other drugs.

Quality is important

It’s important to note that the quality and mineral content of fulvic acid can change with the geographic location from which it was sourced. At VitalOrganico we only source the highest quality, pure fulvic acid and are very careful to ensure that it contains no nasties or unnecessary added extras.

When introducing fulvic acid to your diet, it’s a good idea to start slowly and not exceed the dosage listed on the packaging, as you may experience some symptoms of detoxification at first.

As fulvic acid has shown some potential to increase absorption of certain medications, we also recommend letting your Doctor know if you intend to supplement with fulvic acid.   

VitalOrganico is the official distributor for Ireland and Northern Ireland of Mother Earth Fulvic Acid