Arsenic and cadmium toxicity are serious sources of illness with exposure coming through food, water and industrial sources.

Arsenic toxicity causes skin lesions, anemia, increased heart and vascular disease, diabetes and liver damage. Cadmium alters kidney function, causes osteoporosis and osteomalacia and increases cancer risk.

S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), alpha-lipoic acid, glutathione, selenium, zinc, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), methionine, cysteine, alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid all play roles in protecting humans from heavy metal toxicity. NAC, zinc, methionine and cysteine aid chelating agents in removing arsenic and cadmium from the body.

Glutathione and selenium can combine with arsenic in the body and assist in removing arsenic through the bile. SAMe acts to methylate arsenic in the liver to assist in arsenic elimination in the bile according to several studies. Selenium aids in the elimination of arsenic.

Cadmium absorption is increased when the body has a low level of protein, zinc, iron, calcium or copper. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) protects cells from cadmium damage. Selenium can complex with cadmium and reduce toxicity.

CONCLUSION: Arsenic and cadmium can cause serious illness to the body. The author lists a number of supplements that can reduce the toxicity of arsenic and cadmium and aid in eliminating them from the body.

PMID: 12777158.

Summary #069.