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A low nickel diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce excess nickel in the body, but the detox process can be challenging. The right supplements can make a tremendous difference by helping bind and remove nickel, calming inflammation, supporting healthy mineral levels, improving gut health and making detox symptoms much easier to manage. Below are the supplements my doctor recommends, along with the ones that have helped my family the most during our own nickel detox journey.
Low Nickel Diet key supplements help:
- relieve symptoms as nickel detoxes
- bind nickel to expedite its removal from the body
- reduce inflammation and pain caused by nickel
- aid its detoxification in various ways (other than binding)
- improve mental health challenges associated with detox (including anxiety, depression and more)
Best Supplements for a Low Nickel Diet
Binders
My doctor recommends taking a binder for one month before starting a low nickel diet, to make it more gentle and reduce symptoms. This may not be necessary if you’re only reducing nickel and not other toxins. Either way, the detox can be very intense, so be prepared for potential symptoms (headache, GI issues, change in one’s cycle and related symptoms [women], mood swings, aching joints and more).
Which binders bind nickel
Zeolite grabs hold of nickel, as do pectins and a seaweed compound called alginate.
These four supplements can be used to bind nickel as it detoxes:
- Zeolite (Read more about how to use this and which one to choose here.) I also write more about zeolite below.
- Pectaclear (Modified citrus pectin, potassium + alginate — Most recommended by Dr. Garrett Smith, both my husband and daughter take this.)
- Pectasol (Modified citrus pectin and potassium — I find this one gentler personally for my body.)
- Apple Pectin (Taking apple pectin has similar benefits to eating a lot of apples, as far as the pectin it provides. I find this supplement to be very gentle, yet helpful.)
Protective
- PEA (or find it here in bulk)– PEA doesn’t remove nickel from the body directly like a binder does. Instead, it helps calm the inflammation and immune reactions (including mast cell) that nickel can trigger, which may make it easier for the body to recover while nickel levels are being reduced. PEA can help reduce symptoms (stress) during a nickel detox.
- Regarding stress, PEA also helps reduce anxiety. I personally experienced this benefit. As nickel detoxes, new symptoms can surface over time. About two months into my nickel detox, my stress mechanisms shifted, and I started feeling acute stress every afternoon. Upon Dr. Smith and Kelsey’s suggestion, I added PEA 3x daily, one with each meal, alongside NA (flush niacin) 3x daily, and I had significant benefits, with the stress symptom and anxiety greatly reduced and mostly disappearing.
- Some people also report that PEA helps them with joint pain.
- Basic information on PEA: PEA (palmitoylethanolamide) is a natural fat made by the body that helps calm inflammation, support the nervous system and improve the body’s ability to handle stress. The fatty acid helps prevent the breakdown of the body’s natural relaxing compounds (like anandamide). It may take several weeks to three months of taking 300–1,200 mg daily to notice the full benefits.
- New research also shows that nickel allergy increases the growth of tiny blood and lymph vessels in the skin, which can worsen inflammation and allergic reactions. Scientists believe that palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) may help because it calms overactive mast cells (immune cells involved in allergies), reduces inflammation, slows this abnormal blood vessel growth and helps repair the gut barrier. Because of these combined effects, PEA may be useful for both nickel allergy on the skin and systemic nickel allergy that affects the whole body.
Minerals (and related) on a low nickel diet
What are we missing in all modern diets — not just restricted ones?
Certain minerals like magnesium, zinc, potassium, selenium and molybdenum aren’t abundant enough in our soils or foods to meet the requirements of our bodies.
You may have heard that around 300 processes in the human body require magnesium. Similarly, hundreds of functions require zinc.
As mentioned in this article on what foods to eat on a low nickel diet, calcium needs to be obtained from food sources.
Vitamin D (not a mineral, but a needed nutrient) needs to be made by the body itself, after exposure to sunlight or a safe light source.
But the other minerals mentioned are best taken through wise supplementation. What follows are the minerals I take, with dosage options, based on my doctors’ recommendations. (Please see his website for more information or to join his community of like-minded patients and followers.)
Specific minerals that help with nickel detox
One important aspect of a low nickel diet is supporting adequate mineral levels, because certain mineral deficiencies allow nickel accumulation — and for nickel to become more disruptive within cells. Proper mineral balance helps protect the body from nickel’s effects — and supports normal cellular function. When nickel displaces essential minerals inside cells, dysfunction can occur.
Conversely, with proper supplementation, minerals like magnesium and zinc can kick nickel out to restore normal function.
Mineral supplements to take:
- Magnesium — Here’s the best lotion. Read more here about other forms of magnesium if constipated.
- Zinc — Read more here about how to add in zinc and how much, if you’re not already doing this.
- Potassium — Learn more about how to supplement potassium here.
- Selenium
- Molybdenum
Dr. Smith sells a mineral supplement (here) that contains zinc, selenium and molybdenum all in one capsule. It’s perfect for many people and simplifies daily pills, but not everyone can tolerate these minerals. Choose his product if you know you tolerate all three minerals, or buy them separately to introduce them one by one.
Soluble fiber
Consider not only apple pectin, but also two sources of modified citrus pectin that uniquely grab onto nickel and may help to reduce symptoms as it detoxes: Pectasol, and Dr. Smith‘s recommended Pectaclear — that even grabs nickel from the bloodstream. Pectaclear includes a seaweed compound, alginate, known to grab nickel in studies.
Dose: Start slowly with these, and if no excess gas or other symptoms, increase gradually. Dr. Smith recommends up to six capsules of Pectaclear 3 times daily. (Two doses of three capsules may be a gentler approach for some bodies or children.)
Real life examples of how people are different
I find that I tolerate more apple pectin, whereas I am more sensitive to higher doses of Pectaclear. However, my eight year old daughter does best on three capsules of Pectaclear twice daily.
Both Pectasol and Pectaclear make a huge difference for our daughter as she detoxes nickel. These two supplements really can make a night or day difference with how uncomfortable the detox process is. She thrives, with high positive energy, when she takes these, and conversely, really suffers without them.
Personally, since I don’t tolerate “the Pectas”, I eat a couple of apples each day, reduce stress and get outside to exercise. I also take most of the other supplements in this article (just not Pectasol or Pectaclear).
Niacin
Only one form of niacin is recommended, and that’s nicotinic acid (flush niacin).
Nicotinic acid helps to detox all extremities of the body, reaching into organs and detoxing out through the skin. Taken more than once per day (three times daily with meals), it provides constant detox support, expediting the process. (For some, niacin improves the detox process, but it’s not gentle for everyone when taken more than once a day. For some, it can aggravate symptoms. As always, start slowly. Flushing with this supplement is normal and to be expected, but what we don’t want is for other detox symptoms to become uncomfortable.)
We see in studies, niacin makes a measurable difference in getting rid of H. pylori and restoring immune system health and normal digestion.
Since we know that nickel is required for H. pylori to thrive, it stands to reason that niacin is a great addition to a low nickel diet.
Lower dose flush niacin here, and higher dose here.
Zeolite
Zeolite is my personal favorite among long term supplements. It adsorbs a variety of toxic heavy metals, including nickel. Zeolite is even used commercially — to reduce the nickel content of soil and for improving farming yields.
Zeolite is also healing to the gut as nickel detoxes: Often times a low nickel diet yields bloating, reduced appetite and other uncomfortable symptoms in the GI tract — as nickel detoxes from the gut. Zeolite helps with these symptoms and can be taken once or twice daily, including with the onset of any symptoms.
Read more about how to use zeolite and which one to choose here.
Probiotics and prebiotics
The gut microbiome plays an important role in Systemic Nickel Allergy Syndrome (SNAS). Studies show that a low-nickel diet combined with specific probiotics — especially Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 — help reduce GI symptoms, inflammation and skin flares.
Studies also indicate that prebiotics such as partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG), find it here under the brand name SunFiber, can support beneficial gut bacteria, improve regularity and strengthen the intestinal barrier. SunFiber also helps regulate immune responses linked to nickel toxicity.
Combining the probiotic (L. reuteri DSM 17938) with the prebiotic (SunFiber) has shown to be effective when overcoming nickel toxicity, preventing nickel from passing through the gut lining.
If you have low ferritin, this study showed an improvement in the bioavailability of iron from taking SunFiber (PHGG). Because high nickel is associated with low ferritin, SunFiber may be especially helpful for those on a low nickel diet who need to improve their iron levels.
SunFiber also helps with the uptake of other nutrients like calcium and magnesium. We know that magnesium helps with nickel toxicity.
(I haven’t personally used this dynamic duo yet, but it’s likely I will at some point.)
Mental Health and 40Hz
If you’re like me, as you go through your own nickel detox, your emotions and mental health are affected.
One modality has helped me more than anything else — to fight PMS type emotions — to have joy. And that’s my 40 Hz lamp.
Read more on this topic here, where you’ll also find the link to the lamp I use.
Ginger
This study shows ginger grabbing hold of nickel to aid in its elimination from the body.
Personally, ginger has been one of the most helpful supplements I’ve taken for relief of nickel detox symptoms.
I find that organic crystallized ginger (three to four cubes) works better to address symptoms than ginger tincture or tea. Another approach is to take freshly grated peeled ginger (in water or on its own).
I found the effectiveness of ginger before finding PEA. Once I found PEA, I used ginger only occasionally.
Sauna
Sauna use is effective for detoxing nickel! It’s a great tool I use about three days a week. If you don’t have a home sauna, consider buying one or using one at a local gym.
Here’s an article about detoxing copper through sauna use, but it applies just as much to nickel.
I can really shift nickel symptoms with the use of my sauna! Just hop in whenever you don’t feel well to shift symptoms.
This modality is under-utilized in America. Although many have heard of the benefits, few take advantage of this great and powerful tool that allows us to detox nickel through our sweat.
I always feel, and even look, better after a sauna.
Pin The Best Nickel Detox Supplements here:
Carol Ramsay says
Hi Megan, I have been low VA for 1.5 years now and will do the nickel detox after I have an infected tooth removed. I used to make l-reuteri yogurt before starting low VA. Do you think that would be ok on the nickel detox? I have heard some people are eating a small amount of dairy on the diet?
Megan says
Hi Carol, good question. In my experience, it’s not a good idea to add dairy into a low vA diet, but if you only plan to eat 1 to 2 Tablespoons of yogurt a day, you might tolerate it. Even though I included butter and cream for the first few years of my low vA diet, once I eliminated them, I saw additional improvement, and if I eat them now (regularly), they immediately produce vA symptoms. I don’t think it’s a good idea. I do think many people can tolerate a very occasional source of dairy, one time (like once a month, for example), and then back to the stricter protocol, but repeating dairy daily is problematic, and understandably, as it keeps reintroducing the toxin that we’re trying to detox. In this case, I think taking the supplement is a better choice. And then, one day, the yogurt would be appropriate again, but years from now, after all possible vA is detoxed. (For calcium, I eat masa.)
Carol Ramsay says
Thanks Megan.
Megan says
You’re welcome. 🙂
Elise says
I am grateful to hear you did not do well with the “Pectas” either. I will work my way through them however I can only take one of every several days then need to take lots of magnesium to clear the bowels. I wonder if the product is helping me identify a sort of blockage or is just very uncomfortable for me? Hard to tell but will keep exploring.
Megan says
Hi Elise, thanks for sharing your experience, too. As I’ve observed some, it looks like the “Pectas” stir up nickel detox: The products free up and release nickel, producing symptoms. I know one person who can’t take any dose of Pectaclear as it makes her very uncomfortable, and she hasn’t even started the diet yet. It starts releasing her stored nickel. For others, it grabs what’s already in their GI tract or blood and relieves/calms symptoms. Many people experience bloating and related GI distress, changes in bowels, with nickel detox in general. So it makes sense that the Pectas could be stirring up nickel in your GI tract and slowing your bowels.
Elise says
Thank you! I appreciate the explanation. It definitely does something in my bowels. It’s a different kind of constipation. I feel completely full for a very long time after taking it and then have trouble moving my bowels without a lot of magnesium, oxide or glycinate. I appreciate your knowledge and great newsletters. I too follow Dr. Garrett Smith and you really knock it out of the park in making his information accessible and easy to understand while it’s still getting a lot in a newsletter.
Megan says
I’m so glad it’s helpful, Elise; my pleasure.
MAGGIE WILLIAMS says
Thank you for breaking down the nickel & vitA detox. I’m in the LYL community, but I don’t have time to sit through Dr. Smith’s livestreams. I’m not sensitive at all, and am trying to figure out when to take the different supplements.
I just started taking 3 capsules of Pecta Sol on an empty stomach. So far so good. I tried ZeoLyte a2-3 times but didn’t really notice any changes. I like your idea of taking NA 3 times a day rather than once in the evening. Sometimes I would itch all over for 20-30 minutes. With the NA, I take charcoal, magnesium Pidolate, and apple pectin.
I know we shouldn’t take zinc and NA unless it’s the Keystone Mineral w/ NA, but are there any other restrictions we should watch for?
Also, I bought the Homichef pots you recommended, but does it help to line SS baking sheets with parchment paper?
In the morning, I take zinc, molyb., potassium, and selenium.
Megan says
Hi Maggie, happy to help, nice to meet you, and I apologize for the delay in responding! Last week was busy, and I didn’t answer comments as quickly as I like to. Firstly, just to clarify, the idea to take NA 3x daily comes from Kelsey. She first suggested it to Dr. Smith, he agreed, and they both shared it with me. I have also preferred it, and feel it’s improving the detox process and speeding it up. I also had the question about taking NA with zinc, and Dr. Smith said not to worry about that anymore. He didn’t tell me why, but I think they’ve both decided it’s not necessary. So that frees things up a bit timing wise 🙂 (no more restrictions on when or how to take NA). I do take my first high dose of NA in the morning with my zinc now, but could easily do it at bedtime/with dinner, instead. Re baking sheets and parchment paper, more and more I try to limit my use of parchment paper to muffin tins, unless you have silicone muffin liners that release muffins easily (although not perfect either), because: Parchment paper may indeed slough off certain chemicals. Instead, I use pure aluminum baking sheets (nickel-free) and don’t use acidic foods on them, so they are non-reactive. Or, you could consider a silicone liner for your baking sheets, like these, but they’re not completely clean either.
Heather Hollinger says
Such great information, thank you! You mentioned in the comments that you eat masa for calcium. But masa has about 35 mg of calcium per 1/4 cup and Dr Smith recommends getting at least 300 mg a day (if I remember correctly). That means you would have to eat a lot of masa! Also, isn’t masa a whole food? So it would have some Nickel content right?
Megan says
Hi Heather, good question! Happy to share my perspective. Masa has 35 to 40 mg of calcium for a quarter cup. Using my pancake recipe, plus my recommended white masa tortillas or tortilla chips and/or my new Posole Stew recipe or masa porridge, we can each easily get in two to three times that amount of masa a day, so let’s say 120 mg! I call that a lot better than nothing. 😉 Add a handful of blackberries to that, and increase it a bit more (20 mg). Then, some still mineral water, depending on one’s concern with calcium, that’s 45-90 more mg, depending how much of it you drink, and then beef (or ground turkey, almost as high): 27 mg for 4 ounces; I easily eat 1/2 to 3/4 pound beef daily plus more meat overall, so that’s another 90 to 100 mg. It’s all about adding up the sources, and masa is one of the best ones, but only if we prioritize it by making stew, porridge, pancakes or eating tortillas. We get pretty close to the 300! The alternative is dairy, and my body can’t tolerate it yet, not after 7+ years; I’m still detoxing vA! 🙂 So, I think masa leads the way as an excellent source when added up with the other sources, even if none of them seem significant on their own. Lastly, no masa is not a whole food. The nixtamalization process changes corn significantly, removing harsh compounds and replacing them with calcium. Masa is a low nickel food. 🙂
Theresa says
Thank you so much Megan! I tend to understand your explanations much easier than other sources. How do you give PEA to children? I don’t believe mine could swallow a capsule. What dosage is recommended?
Thank you again!
Theresa
Megan says
Hi Theresa, I’m so glad. 🙂 For my 8 year old, I give her 1 capsule (600mg), 3x daily, with meals. This is a higher dose approved by Dr. Smith. But PEA does come in bulk (here), with the basic/starting dose of 600mg for adults. Kids’ doses are typically 1/3 of adults’, so 200mg for most kids, up to 3x daily. You can ease into that, by starting with whatever lower amount you choose, for example, 50mg, and increase slowly to assess. Some get quick obvious results from PEA; for others, it has to build up in the system for longer before results are noticed. A couple ways to take it, because it doesn’t mix into water well: You can put it under the child’s tongue, and then they can take a few sips of water/juice. Or you can mix it into something like applesauce.
Heather says
Thank you for all this great information! Quick question about a reply you made to another commenter: if you eat masa for calcium wouldn’t you have to eat a lot of it as it only has about 35mg of calcium per 1/4 cup? And Dr Smith’s recommendation is 300 mg a day for women I think?
Also, masa is a whole grain food so high in Nickel? I love masa and stopped eating it a few weeks into the low Nickel diet, but I did not experience any detox symptoms. Would love your thoughts on all this! ☺️
Megan says
Hi Heather, yes, you can add it back into your diet, as masa compliments a low nickel diet beautifully. I saw your other Comment, and answered your other questions there. 🙂
Heather Hollinger says
Thank you for the reply! Sorry for the repeat question! I checked back to see if you had answered and I couldn’t find my question, so I figured I probably forget to press send or something 😆
Megan says
No problem!! 🙂
MAGGIE WILLIAMS says
Please don’t apologize. We’re all busy.
I just ordered the PEA, but I have been taking the Pectasol on an empty stomach. Are they the same or different? Are they safe together?
Also, I used to use silicone muffin liners, but I thought they weren’t as safe as everyone thought.
Megan says
Hi Maggie, they’re completely different. Pectasol binds nickel (so can reduce symptoms) and is best on an empty stomach, but can be taken either way. PEA is a fatty acid amide that helps control inflammation (and reduce symptoms), and I take mine with b, l and dinner. Yes, they’re safe to take together if needed.
Re silicone vs. parchment paper, there’s no perfect solution, yet, unfortunately. Perhaps the best bet is the old fashioned method of: grease and flour your bakeware. Otherwise: Research generally shows low migration from quality food-grade silicone under normal baking conditions. Honestly, both high-quality silicone and coated parchment paper can release very small amounts of compounds during baking under certain conditions. If you want the most inert baking surface, glass or some ceramic remain the best choices, but many consider high-quality silicone a reasonable option that may be preferable to disposable parchment paper. Interestingly, activated charcoal adsorbs silicone-derived compounds (such as cyclic siloxanes) that are found in both, so that’s one more reason to take AC. I love taking binders in this imperfect world, because we also can’t worry about everything.
MAGGIE WILLIAMS says
Thanks so much.
One more quick question.🙋 I notice you’re using baking soda in many of your recipes and not baking powder. So many of my sourdough recipes call for the baking powder. How do I substitute it with baking soda?
Thanks for the answers in advance.
maggie
Megan says
Hi Maggie, happy to help. In many cases, you can sub in 1/2 teaspoon baking soda when a recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of baking powder. The acidity of the sourdough reacts with the baking soda, creating a nice rise. It doesn’t necessarily work as a direct substitution in recipes that rely on double-acting baking powder, which provides a second burst of lift during baking. 🙂
MAGGIE WILLIAMS says
Okay, thank you.
That’s probably why most people use baking powder in biscuits to get that extra rise during cooking.
I’ll start experimenting with baking soda more often when I bake.
Megan says
Sounds good, Maggie!