Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal with no known biological function. Cadmium exposure is much more wide spread than nearly anyone realizes. It is a neuro-toxin, inhibits the formation of many enzymes, and disturbs the actions of various nutrients within the body. Like other heavy metals, it is bio-accumulative and can be passed to the fetus through the placenta. Like mercury, it is toxic to every body system however it is ingested.
It impairs calcium metabolism, replaces calcium in the bones, and can contribute to conditions such as osteoporosis and osteomalacia, ureter and kidney stones, excessive calcium in the urine (hypercalcuria), pain in the low back and legs, rheumatoid arthritis and decreased production of active vitamin D. It accumulates in the joints and can cause osteoarthritis. It stimulates portions of the adrenal cortex which results in a magnesium loss and in the retention of sodium contributing to high blood pressure. The higher sodium gives the appearance of faster oxidation. It also causes sodium retention due to its effect on the kidneys. Toxic metal accumulation in the kidneys also contributes to kidney infections, kidney stones, electrolyte imbalances, back pain, and edema.
In addition, it affects the uptake and utilization of other elements resulting in malabsorption of iron, copper and manganese, in increased concentrations of cadmium, zinc and calcium in the liver and kidneys, in an increased cadmium/zinc ratio, in increased phosphorus in the urine, and in iron deficiency anemia. It promotes the sequestering of copper into the tissues creating hidden copper toxicity.
The toxic metal strongly displaces zinc from its proper sites in the body. It replaces zinc in the arteries causing stiffness, inflammation and high blood pressure. High cadmium and low zinc in the arteries can promote aneurysms. It is stored in the body in place of zinc. Many symptoms of cadmium poisoning are the same as those of zinc deficiency such as decreased appetite, dry scaly skin, loss of hair, loss of body weight, decreased body temperature, decreased growth, immune suppression, reduced testosterone activity and impotence, prostate cancer, loss of sense of smell, and copper toxicity. Cadmium is associated with cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many other major degenerative diseases. It's ability to replace zinc is an important reason for this. Zinc is required for over one hundred critical enzymes. Zinc is essential for insulin production, insulin release and it prolongs the action of insulin. Cadmium and copper toxicity are frequently involved in glucose tolerance problems such as hypoglycemia and diabetes.
The toxic effects of cadmium are kept under control in the body and brain by the presence of zinc, its primary antagonist. Zinc is very protective against cadmium absorption in the intestines. The increasing prevalence of zinc deficiency increases toxic metal retention and the toxic effects. Refining flour and sugar removes most of the zinc, chromium and selenium. Refined grains including rice and frozen vegetables, promote zinc deficiency due to the low levels in the food and refined sugars and carbohydrates increase the demand for zinc. Sugar from any source including fruits and fruit juices, causes zinc depletion. Whole wheat has a cadmium/zinc ratio of about 1 to 120. White, refined wheat flour has a cadmium/zinc ratio of about 1 to 12. Eating mostly refined foods is a major source of toxicity due to the effect on this ratio. The ideal hair tissue mineral ratio is 1 to 500. Higher levels of protein, iron, calcium and manganese also have a protective effect.
It is in the air as an industrial contaminant and is part of or released during the manufacture of numerous industrial products such as: black polyethylene, black rubber, burned motor oil, cadmium alloys present in dental prosthetics, cadmium vapor lamps, ceramics, copper refineries, drinking water, dust, electroplating, evaporated milk, fungicides, marine hardware rustproofed with cadmium, nickel-cadmium batteries, organ meats such as kidney and liver, oysters and other seafood, paint pigments, paper, pesticides, plastic tapes, polyvinyl plastics, processed foods, rubber carpet backing, rubber tires, sewage sludge, silver polish, soft water causing uptake of cadmium from galvanized pipes, solders, superphosphate fertilizers, zinc and polymetallic ore smelting. No effort is made to recover the toxic metal released as vapor. No records are kept of the cadmium content of metallic scrap. Fungicides sprayed on apples, tobacco and potatoes contain it.
Smoking cigarettes is the worst source of toxicity as it is the primary metal found in cured tobacco. It is sprayed on the tobacco plant as a fungicide. It is also present in the cigarette papers. In each cigarette the residual cadmium concentration averages 1.4 micrograms. Passive smoke also contains substantial amounts. One pack of cigarettes deposits at least 4 mcg. into the lungs which is ten times the amount that the body can assimilate and excrete in a day. It will be retained in the kidneys, blood vessels, brain and lungs. It weakens the immune system and gives rise to the typical smokers diseases: lung infections, lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease, and malignant tumors.
Cadmium is associated with toughness and hardness. However, it is a brittle and stiff toughness, a toxic hardness that is not true strength. It is a toughness prone to anger and abuse. Zinc and iron provide a true strength, and healthy masculinity.
Cadmium will shore up the weakness and vulnerability that is felt in the presence of zinc deficiency and copper toxicity, by driving the copper back into the tissues. Many sensitive, emotional people (these are the copper traits) smoke to calm their emotions. They can become very attached to the pseudo strength imparted by the cadmium in cigarettes. When the crutch is removed, it can feel quite crippling at first, but over time real strength will be built with proper corrective nutrition.
The body will retain the metal as a adaptive defense against the effects of stress. It raises the sodium level (an aldosterone-like effect) which helps support a collapsing body energy system. Anything that raises the sodium will provide an energy boost and a temporary feeling of well-being. This is part of why smoking can become so addictive. In order to allow the toxic metal to be released from the tissues and eliminated, the need for this adaptation must be removed. Balancing the oxidation rate is very important. The adrenal function must be supported and rebuilt and the bio-availability of essential nutrients such as zinc, copper, iron, manganese and calcium must be restored.
As biochemical energy production in the cells is restored, the bodys natural ability to chelate and excrete heavy metal resumes. Vitamin C will drive cadmium out of the body through chelation. Zinc supplementation is essential and effective in supporting detoxification. Saunas and other therapies that induce sweating are very helpful. Cadmium often takes longer than other metals such as copper, aluminum and mercury to be released. The detoxification often causes flu-like symptoms and transient emotional states as the metal moves through the blood to be eliminated. Reducing exposure to cadmium is essential.