Is there a difference between injected aluminum and ingested aluminum? Yes, let’s take a look!
When we inject a drug it tends to stick around and be completely absorbed. However, when we eat something harmful there are naturally many systems in place that filter it before it reaches our blood stream. Our stomachs, kidneys, liver etc., if they are working correctly help filter most of it out. This is known as the first pass effect: “reduced concentration of the active drug upon reaching its site of action or the systemic circulation.” Nih First Pass
We talk about this medically in terms of bioavailability which is, “the proportion of a drug or other substance which enters the circulation when introduced into the body and so is able to have an active effect.”Lexico definition
I have heard some people say why should I be concerned about aluminum in vaccines? Doesn’t my kid get just as much aluminum in formula or from their environment? Let’s look into that misconception. Check out this video below explaining when you ingest a drug orally how much of it can be broken down vs when you inject it.
“Gastrointestinal absorption of aluminum is low, generally in the range of 0.1–0.4% in humans, although absorption of particularly bioavailable forms such as aluminum citrate may be on the order of 0.5–5%.” Toxicological profile of aluminum Because the general gastrointestinal absorption of aluminum is only 0.1-0.4% that means that you would have to eat 250-1000x more aluminum compared to what is injected, for it to be comparable absorption amounts. If something is given through an IV, 100% is bioavailable as it goes directly into the blood stream; the amount injected is absorbed completely. Does that make sense?
For example if you ate 1 mg of aluminum and injected 1 mg of aluminum, your body would eventually absorb the entire 1mg of the injected aluminum (100%). In comparison it would absorb only .001mg – .004mg of aluminum through what you ate. Clearly there is a tremendous difference.
A study of Al absorption following single underarm applications of 26Al chlorohydrate to two subjects suggested up to 0.012% of the 26Al might eventually be absorbed, presumably through the skin (Flarend et al. 2001). When looking at injected aluminum the study was done on rabbits injecting them with aluminum, “….all of the injected Al may eventually be absorbed,” Aluminum Toxicokinetics.
This actually completely blew my mind when I was researching it. Think about that. Only 0.012% is absorbed from deodorant which can lead to problems, only 0.1-1.4% is absorbed when we eat it. How much more should we be worried about the Al in vaccines when 100% is eventually absorbed! Our children now get so many vaccines in the first few years of life, did you know many of them contain aluminum?
Thus we have found there is clearly no comparison between injected and ingested. You would have to eat up to 1000x more aluminum to be able to say you get just as much aluminum from food compared to a vaccine. I am glad we have been able to learn together. The amount absorbed is key. How you get something matters more than the amount you get. The next time someone says you get just as much aluminum in your diet, you will know that is a misconception & false comparison!
Want to learn more about what is in your kids’ vaccines? I will do more on that coming soon!
Cheers!