Cadmium Poisoning

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that cadmium and cadmium compounds are known human carcinogens. According to the U. S. Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, cadmium has been shown to cause lung cancer. The primary source for that level of cadmium poisoning is smoking tobacco and/or breathing cigarette smoke, as the tobacco plant readily takes up cadmium from the soil. For the general, non-smoking public, the main source of cadmium exposure is through the diet.  In addition, the risk of cadmium poisoning or toxicity is increased where nutritional deficiencies exist.

The presence of toxic metals in the body can cause serious health issues as they interfere with normal, healthy biologic functions. First, they can accumulate in organs and eventually impede their operation. Second, metals can supplant essential dietary minerals (such as calcium) needed in biochemical reactions. This can then impede correct enzyme activity required for proper metabolism and good health.

Normally, the levels of cadmium in the soils, water, and air of North America are not a health concern. However, many of our foods are grown, or in the case of seafood, are caught, in areas of the world where the environments do suffer from cadmium contamination. In addition, sweets, refined grains, rice, organ meats, and even instant coffee can contain cadmium. The solders used in cans for foods and drinks can leach cadmium into the contents. 

Workplace exposure occurs most often where cadmium products are made and/or used (e.g.; manufacturing batteries, smelting operations, soldering, welding, zinc refining).  Those who work in the arts and theater can be exposed to cadmium through its use in pastels, dry pigments, paints, and the coloring compounds for ceramic and pottery glazes.

One of the lesser known sources of cadmium exposure is through jewelry made overseas. The following is an excerpt from an Associated Press article reported by MSNBC in February 2010:

LOS ANGELES - Concern about the heavy metal cadmium in jewelry grew Tuesday as a California environmental group said new testing of adult necklaces and bracelets bought at three leading retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Aeropostale, detected high levels of the toxic material — as much as 75 percent by weight.

…..Based on the results of its testing, the Center for Environmental Health said it would seek a ban on cadmium in all jewelry….

This report is particularly disturbing in light of the fact that much of the jewelry involved was made for children. Cadmium is particularly dangerous for children as growing bodies readily absorb substances, and cadmium accumulates in the kidneys for decades. There have been some studies done with animals which found that younger animals absorb more cadmium than adults. While this correlation has not been definitely linked to humans, the implication is nonetheless worrisome.

Besides the issue of lung damage, depending on how a person is exposed, cadmium poisoning can also result in skeletal damage (bone loss/deformation, osteoporosis), and impaired kidney function (including kidney stones). Long-term exposure has been shown to cause chronic bronchitis, gastro-intestinal disorders (including stomach pain and vomiting), and even the loss of the sense of smell.

However, symptoms of cadmium poisoning are not always so dramatic. They can be seemingly innocuous – headaches, cavities, flu-like illness – or seem totally unrelated to what we would usually associate with heavy metal toxicity – high cholesterol, arthritis, diabetes, anemia. Many of these symptoms of cadmium poisoning are often misdiagnosed and treated with medications that never really address the core issue causing the problem. As a result, one never gets better, and can spend a lot of time and money going from doctor to doctor seeking relief.

Equally, the above issues can be the result of a variety of causes totally unrelated to cadmium poisoning. What we are trying to do here is to raise your awareness of the possibilitythat metal toxicity could be the root cause of a health issue you are dealing with, and if conventional testing and treatments are not helping, it may be time to consider the possibility of cadmium poisoning.

Today, there are products available without prescription or medical affiliation that the public can purchase to help remove heavy metals from the body. Heavy Metal Detox

by Enerex Botanicals of Canada is a complex organic mineral carrier/detoxifier that acts as a detoxifier of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury. Essentially, it helps to remove heavy metals from the body, and helps to prevent the absorption of toxic substances, such as heavy metals and dangerous chemicals.

The bottom line is that we cannot shield ourselves from our environment and the toxins that the modern world has put into it. The best defense is to be aware of the issue and the effects it could have, and then know how to identify and treat the problem.

* Products listed here can be found at EssentialVitaminsAndMinerals.com.