Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that accumulates in the body, primarily affecting the liver and kidneys, with increasing levels in humans typically peaking around age 50. It has no known biological function and competes with zinc, potentially inhibiting enzyme reactions and increasing the risk of kidney damage, hypertension, heart diseases, and certain cancers. Cadmium is primarily sourced from cigarette smoke, refined foods, and industrial processes, and its toxic levels vary with exposure and environmental factors.

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CADMIUM - TOXIC HEAVY METALS FACTSHEET
Cadmium levels in humans tend to increase with age, usually peaking at
48 around age 50. No cadmium is present in newborns. Cadmium is not very
well absorbed, with a rate of about 20 percent, but this is still a higher
Cd
rate than that of other minerals. Cadmium is not particularly well elimi-
nated by the body, mainly through feces and urine. This mineral is stored primarily
in the liver and kidneys. Cadmium like zinc is also stored in the testes in higher
concentrations than in other tissues. Cadmium accumulation in the kidneys (with
112.41
aging) may cause hypertension.
Number 48 on the “periodic table” of elements Image source: http://images-of-elements.com/cadmium.php
SOURCES Cigarette smoke, refined foods, water pipes, coffee and TOXICITY Cadmium has no known useful biological functions.
tea, coal burning, and shellfish are sources. Cadmium Cadmium competes with zinc for binding sites and can
is a component of alloys, used in electrical materials, therefore interfere with some of zinc’s essential func-
and is present in ceramics, dental materials, and storage tions. In this way, it may inhibit enzyme reactions and
batteries.Refined flours, rice, and sugar have relatively utilization of nutrients. Cadmium may be a catalyst to
higher levels of cadmium. One pack of cigarettes con- oxidation reactions, which can generate excessive free-
tains about 20 mcg. of cadmium, or about 1 mcg. per cigarette. Water radical activity. The exact levels where organic cadmium
pipes may be another source of contamination. Air pollution of cad- becomes toxic is not clear. About 40-45 mcg. intake daily is probably
mium comes from zinc mining and refining, and from burning of coal. safe. Below 0.015 - 2 ppm is considered current normal ranges. The
Cadmium is an industrial contaminant from the steel-making process. reading for inorganic cadmium presence should be 0.
TOXICITY Cadmium concentrates in the kidney can cause kidney TESTING Check out cadmium levels in your body with our easy to
tissue damage and hypertension, and an increased use, home-based, HMT Cadmium Test Kit
SYMPTOMS incidence of calcium kidney stones. It may also con-
tribute to heart diseases as well. In rat studies, higher Osumex HM-Chelat is most
levels of cadmium are associated with an increase in
effective in eliminating
heart size, higher blood pressure, progressive ath-
heavy metals contamination
erosclerosis, and reduced kidney function. Cadmium
in the body
appears to depress some immune functions. It may
increase cancer risk.Cadmium toxicity has been im- For more information, visit
heavymetalstest.com/
plicated in generating prostate enlargement. Cadmium also affects the cadmium.php
bones. It has been known to cause bone and joint aches and pains.