WELLNESS 148
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How Your Body is Affected by Cadmium
Sources Of Cadmium Toxicity
- food grown on cadmium contaminated soil - sewage sludge, fertilizers, and irrigation water can contaminate the soil
- large ocean fish - tuna, cod, haddock
- refined and processed foods
- processed meats, cola drinks and instant coffee
- cigarette smoke
- contaminated drinking water
- occupational exposure - battery manufacture, semiconductors, dental materials
- solder used in food cans
- motor oil and exhaust fumes from cars
- artists paints
- air pollution - incineration of rubber tires, plastic and paints
Children today are commonly born with cadmium toxicity passed from mother to child via the placenta.
Detection Of Cadmium Toxicity
"...Cadmium data from blood have little diagnostic value" (Cranston & Passwater, 1983). This is because cadmium is rapidly removed from the blood soon after it is ingested.
Blood challenge tests can detect cadmium in the blood and arteries.
Cadmium levels in hair show good correlation with cadmium levels in the kidneys. Often, however, several months of nutritional therapy and several hair tests are required before cadmium is revealed in the hair.
How Cadmium Affects Health
| Energy - | cadmium causes strong inhibition of essential enzymes in the Krebs energy cycle. |
| Nervous System - | cadmium inhibits release of acetylcholine and activates cholinesterase. This results in a tendency for hyperactivity of the nervous system. Cadmium also directly damages nerve cells. |
| Bones and Joints - | cadmium alters calcium and phosphorus metabolism, thus contributing to arthritis, osteoporosis and neuromuscular diseases. |
| Cardiovascular System - | cadmium replaces zinc in the arteries, contributing to brittle, inflexible arteries. |
| Digestive System - | cadmium interferes with production of digestive enzymes that require zinc. |
| Male Reproductive System - | prostate problems and impotence can result from cadmium-induced zinc deficiency. |
| Endocrine System - | zinc is required for growth and insulin release. Cadmium can contribute to failure to thrive, delayed growth development and diabetes. |
| Excretory System - | cadmium accumulates in the kidneys, resulting in high blood pressure and kidney disease. |
| Dental - | alterations in calcium and vitamin D activity, caused by cadmium toxicity, can result in cavities and tooth deformities. |
| Psychological - | cadmium toxicity is associated with learning disorders and hyperactivity. This may be due to zinc deficiency, or to inhibition of acetylcholine release in the brain. |
Possible Conditions Associated With Cadmium Toxicity
| alopecia (hair loss) | cholesterol, elevated | hypoglycemia |
| anemia | cirrhosis of the liver | inflammation |
| atherosclerosis | diabetes | lung disease |
| arteriosclerosis | emphysema | migraine headaches |
| arthritis, osteo | enlarged heart | osteoporosis |
| arthritis, rheumatoid | failure to thrive syndrome | renal (kidney) disease |
| bone repair, inhibited | fertility, decreased | schizophrenia |
| cancer | hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in blood) | sex drive, reduced |
| cardiovascular disease | hyperactivity in children | strokes |
| cerebral hemorrhage | hypertension | vascular disease |