Heavy Metal Uptake in Plants and How to Prevent It

Last Updated on June 5, 2025 by higherring

How Healthy Soil Can Help Reduce Heavy Metals in Your Food

Watch to learn insights from those important conversations, including why the condition of our soil—especially the topsoil—is so critical. Many experts suggest that improving soil health may be one of the most effective ways to help reduce the risk of heavy metal contamination in crops. Healthier topsoil, with greater organic matter and microbial activity, can play a role in limiting the uptake of heavy metals by plants. These discussions reflect a growing focus on soil quality. This is an important key factor in cultivating more resilient food systems.

“All of them have said resoundingly one of the best ways to prevent heavy metal uptake is to build up the health of the soil—the volume of topsoil and the microbiology in it—which has been eroded over time through chemical farming and tilling.” – Colleen

That’s why at ZEGO—and through our work with the Collaborative Integrated Value Chain (CIVC)—we’re not only sourcing purity protocol oats. We’re also creating supply chains that help farmers regenerate their soil by using crops like millet in rotation with oats. Millet can act as a natural weed suppressant, allowing farmers to reduce or eliminate tilling. We then purchase that millet, completing the cycle and supporting a cleaner, more sustainable food system.

Why it matters:

• Healthier soil = reduced heavy metal uptake into food crops
• Millet grown in rotation = less need for tilling = less soil degradation
• Farmers benefit by selling us both oats and millet = a more sustainable food system

We’re proud to be creating closed-loop supply chains that are better for the planet, safer for your health, and supportive of farmers.

Watch Colleen’s video to hear it in her own words. Learn how ZEGO is working to create lasting change from the ground up.