Masters of Health Magazine August 2019 | Page 119

Cadmium (Cd)

•strongly inhibits essential enzymes in the Krebs energy cycle.

•inhibits release of acetylcholine and activates cholinesterase, which results in hyperactivity and directly damages nerve cells.

•alters calcium and phosphorus metabolism, contributing to arthritis, osteoporosis, and neuromuscular diseases.

•replaces zinc in the arteries, contributing to brittle, inflexible arteries.

•interferes with production of digestive enzymes that require zinc.

•can result in prostrate problems and impotence from a Cd-induced zinc deficiency.

•can cause to failure to thrive, delayed growth development, and diabetes.

•accumulates in the kidneys, resulting in high blood pressure and kidney disease.

•alters calcium and vitamin D activity, which can result in cavities and tooth deformities.

•associated with learning disorders and hyperactivity, which is related to zinc deficiency and inhibition of acetylcholine release in the brain.

Cd is associated with alopecia (hair loss), anemia, artherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, osteo arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inhibited bone repair, cancer, cardiovascular disease, cerebral hemorrahage, elevated cholesterol, cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, emphysema, enlarged heart, failure to thrive syndrome, decreased fertility, hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in blood), hyperactivity in children, hypertension, hypoglycemia, inflammation, lung disease, migraine headaches, osteoporosis, renal (kidney) disease, schizophrenia, reduced sex drive, strokes, and vascular disease.

After Cd is ingested, it is quickly removed from the blood and transported into other parts of the body. Thus, blood has little diagnostic value (Cranston & Passwater, 1983).

Children are commonly born today with Cd toxicity passed from mother to child via the placenta. Cd in hair show a good correlation with Cd levels in the kidneys.

Cd is found in food grown in soil contaminated from sewage sludge, fertilizers, irrigation water, large ocean fish (tuna, cod, haddock), refined and processed foods, processed meats, cola drinks, instant coffee, cigarette smoke, contaminated drinking water, occupational exposure (battery manufacture, semiconductors, dental materials), solder in food cans, motor oil and exhaust fumes from cars, artists paints, air pollution (incineration of rubber tires, plastic and paints).

Copper (Cu) is involved in the

•structure of blood vessels, aorta and heart muscle, bone, and connective tissues.

•formation of hemoglobin.

•maintenance of the myelin sheath on nerves.

•reproduction (fertility and menstrual cycle).

•synthesis of stimulatory neurotransmitters.

Symptoms associated with a copper excess are acne, adrenal insufficiency, allergies, alopecia, anemia, anorexia, anxiety, arthritis, autism, elevated cholesterol, cancer, cystic fibrosis, mental depression, diabetes, estrogen imbalance, emotional distress, fatigue, fears, bone fracture, migraine headaches, hemorrages, heart disease hyperactivity, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, hypochlorhydria, hypoglycemia, infections, inflammation, insomnia, mind racing, mood swings, multiple sclerosis, myocardial infarction, nausea, pancreatic dysfunction, premenstrual tension, schizophrenia, sexual inadequacy, spaciness, strokes, tooth decay, urinary tract infection, and vitamin deficiencies.