Exposure to heavy metals causes living cells to undergo stress with the production of charged particles.  This leads to tissue and organ damage.  Supplementation with antioxidants has been reported to help in cases of heavy metal toxicity.  Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a cooking herb which has medicinal uses, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neutralization of charged particles.

The present study was done to see if ginger is protective of the liver (hepatoprotective) from cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb).  The heavy metals were given to laboratory rats in their drinking water.  Group 1 received rat chow and one of the heavy metals.  Group 2 received ginger at the same time as the heavy metal exposure.  Group 3 received ginger a week after heavy metal exposure, and group 4 received ginger a week before the heavy metal exposure.

At autopsy, the amounts of heavy metal in the livers were determined.  Weight loss resulted from exposure to ginger and heavy metals.  Ginger alone reduced body weights, and the weight loss resulting from the heavy metal exposure was not altered by ginger treatment.

Ginger given at the same time as the heavy metals altered the bioavailability, elimination and uptake of heavy metals by the liver.  Cd was reduced the most by ginger, followed by Hg, and then by Pb.  Cd protection got better at two weeks, and best at week 4.  Ginger offered no protection from lead at 4 weeks.

When ginger was given one week after the exposure to heavy metals (group 3), the level of protection from Cd was increased compared to Hg and Pb.  Alternatively, when ginger was given before heavy metal exposure occurred (group 4) protection increased for Pb and Cd compared to Hg.  These results cannot be fully explained at this time.

Chelation is an effective treatment to eliminate heavy metals, and diets and nutrients can alter their actions in the body.  The authors found that ginger offers some protection from heavy metal concentrations in the liver, especially from Cd.  Ginger offered the least protection from Pb.

CONCLUSION:  Cadmium accumulation in the liver was significantly reduced by ginger treatment after heavy metal exposure.  Ginger is protective from mercury and lead to a lower degree.

To read the author’s abstract of the article, click on the title of the article.  Then, to read the full article, click on the full text icon.

Rainbow Grocery has the following products:  Ginger whole, powder, capsules and tablets.

PMID:  23225964.

Summary 957.  nutrientmedicine