ARSENIC

How Your Body is Affected by Arsenic

Sources of Arsenic

Organic arsenic (arsenate) is found in a variety of foods
Inorganic arsenate or arsenite: pesticides, beer, table salt, water, paint, cosmetics, pigments, rat poison, glass and mirror manufacture, fungicides, wood preservatives, commercial chicken feed

Roles In The Body

Several laboratories believe that arsenic is an essential element in small quantities. Its functions are not clear, but may have to do with growth, and blood formation.

Symptoms Associated with Arsenic Deficiency

Laboratory rats deprived of arsenic showed slower growth, iron-laden spleens, and rough hair. Their offspring had fragile red blood cells.

Symptoms Associated With Arsenic Excess

Enzyme inhibitor
Interferes with uptake of folic acid
Inhibition of sulfhydryl enzyme systems

Chronic symptoms:

abdominal pain
abnormal ECG
anorexia
dermatitis
diarrhea
edema
fever
fluid loss
goiter

hair loss
headache
herpes
impaired healing
jaundice
keratosis
kidney damage
liver dysfunction
muscle spasm

pallo
peripheral neuritis
sore throat
stomatitis
stupor
vasodilation
vertigo
vitiligo
weakness

Antagonists

iodine, selenium

Hair Analysis Notes

Arsenite accumulates in the hair tissue, and hair analysis is considered a valuable means of detecting arsenic toxicity.