Cadmium is linked to both depression and anxiety. In the United States in 2015-2018 one in eight adults used an antidepressent.

ANTIDEPRESSANT USE AMONG ADULTS: UNITED STATES, 2015-2018

During 2015–2018, 13.2% of adults aged 18 and over used antidepressant medications in the past 30 days. Use was higher among women (17.7%) than men (8.4%). Antidepressant use increased with age, overall and in both sexes—use was highest among women aged 60 and over (24.3%).
​
Brody, Debra et al. "Antidepressant use among adults: United States, 2015-2018." NCHS Data Brief No. 377, September 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db377.htm

Higher levels of PFOA, arsenic, boron, lithium, chromium, copper, tin, barium, lead, and more are significantly associated the development of cancers. Selenium is associated with lower cancer rates.

A METALLOMIC APPROACH TO ASSESS ASSOCIATIONS OF SERUM METAL LEVELS WITH GALLSTONES AND GALLBLADDER CANCER

We found there were several metals associated with either gallstones or gallbladder cancer. Among them, arsenic, boron, lithium, and molybdenum were significantly associated with both gallbladder diseases. 
​
Lee, Mei-Hsuan et al. “A Metallomic Approach to Assess Associations of Serum Metal Levels With Gallstones and Gallbladder Cancer.” Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) vol. 71,3 (2020): 917-928. doi:10.1002/hep.30861

CADMIUM TOXICITY AND TREATMENT: AN UPDATE

​Cadmium compounds were categorized as carcinogenic in humans by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It may be considered as lung carcinogen, also inducer of prostatic or renal cancers .The important point is that cadmium can disorder testosterone production and induce testicular interstitial cells hyperplasia. Some reports suggested that cadmium may be involved malignancies of liver, hemotopoitic system, bladder and stomach. Furthermore, cadmium may be a potential risk factor for breast cancer. Another study suggested that cadmium exposure may be involved in pancreas cancer because of inducing increased risk for neoplasia.
​
Rafati Rahimzadeh, Mehrdad et al. “Cadmium toxicity and treatment: An update.” Caspian journal of internal medicine vol. 8,3 (2017): 135-145. doi:10.22088/cjim.8.3.135

THE ROLE OF HEAVY METALS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF COLORECTAL CANCER

Colorectal cancer was positively correlated with Vanadium, Chromium, Copper, Arsenic, Tin, Barium and Lead, but negatively correlated with Selenium. 
​
Li, Yongsheng et al. “The role of heavy metals in the development of colorectal cancer.” BMC cancer vol. 23,1 616. 3 Jul. 2023, doi:10.1186/s12885-023-11120-w

AN OVERVIEW OF CARCINOGENIC HEAVY METAL: MOLECULAR TOXICITY MECHANISM AND PREVENTION

Direct or indirect exposure of heavy metals induces disruption of intracellular processes via complex pathway. In pathway analysis, we found some genes and processes that are common to the toxic effects of As, Cd, Cr, and Ni. These processes might be candidates for markers of heavy metal-induced carcinogenesis. In particular, oxidative stress-mediated pathways are common to toxicity of As, Cd, Cr, and Ni. We might suggest that antioxidative phytochemicals and chelating agents including phytochelatins will be helpful for prevention of heavy metal-induced cancers.
​
Kim, Hyun Soo et al. “An Overview of Carcinogenic Heavy Metal: Molecular Toxicity Mechanism and Prevention.” Journal of cancer prevention vol. 20,4 (2015): 232-40. doi:10.15430/JCP.2015.20.4.232

Cumulative exposure to heavy metals including mercury, cadmium, lead, and arsenic have an association with diabetes. Particularly exposure to multiple heavy metals is associated with diabetes.

ROLE OF HEAVY METALS IN DIABETES: MECHANISMS AND TREATMENT STRATEGIES

Cadmium and arsenic not only spread widely in our atmosphere but are also linked to a wide range of health hazards. These are primarily accumulated in the liver, kidney, and pancreas once they reach the human body, where they have deleterious effects on the metabolism of glucose and its association with other metabolic pathways, particularly glycolysis, glycogenesis, and gluconeogenesis, by altering and impairing the specific activity of major enzymes. Impairment of hepatic glucose homeostasis plays a crucial role in diabetes mellitus pathogenesis. 
​
Javaid, Anam et al. “Role of Heavy Metals in Diabetes: Mechanisms and Treatment Strategies.” Critical reviews in eukaryotic gene expression vol. 31,3 (2021): 65-80. doi:10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.2021037971

Female infertility is associated with arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Male infertility is related to lead, cadmium and other heavy metals.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HEAVY METALS EXPOSURE AND INFERTILITY AMONG AMERICAN WOMEN 

Urinary Arsenic was significantly associated with female infertility, and the risk of infertility increased with higher urinary Arsenic levels. To some extent, urinary Cadmium was correlated with infertility. Blood/urine Lead was related to infertility in advanced age and overweight/obese women. 
​
Lin, Jie et al. “Association between heavy metals exposure and infertility among American women aged 20-44 years: A cross-sectional analysis from 2013 to 2018 NHANES data.” Frontiers in public health vol. 11 1122183. 14 Feb. 2023, doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1122183

ABOUT LEAD AND OTHER HEAVY METALS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Lead and other heavy metals can alter men's hormones and affect sperm health, reducing fertility.
Exposure to lead and other heavy metals before or during pregnancy might increase risks of miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects.
Lead and other heavy metals can enter breast milk and harm a child's brain development.
​
CDC. “About Lead and Other Heavy Metals and Reproductive Health.” Reproductive Health and the Workplace, 2024, www.cdc.gov/niosh/reproductive-health/prevention/lead-metals.html

Research in the 2020's is demonstrating a link between PFAS / heavy metals and cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerosis (the hardening of the arteries).

HEAVY METAL EXPOSURE COULD INCREASE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK, STUDY FINDS

Now, a new study is adding to emerging research showing that exposure to metals such as cadmium, uranium and copper may also be associated with the leading cause of death worldwide — cardiovascular disease.
​
Rogers, Kristen. “Heavy Metal Exposure Could Increase Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Study Finds.” CNN, 20 Sept. 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/09/20/health/heavy-metal-exposure-cardiovascular-disease-wellness/index.html. Accessed 29 Sept. 2024.

The endocrine system releases hormones telling our bodies when do everything. This includes growth, development, metabolism, reproduction, mood, homeostasis, and our sleep-wake cycle. Toxins disrupt the normal release of hormones from our various endocrine glands.

PERSPECTIVES IN ENDOCRINE TOXICITY OF HEAVY METALS- A REVIEW

Toxic metals can cause structural and functional changes in the adrenal glands. Certain metals can cause injury to the endocrine pancreas. Exposure to them can cause diabetes mellitus and disturb insulin homeostasis. 
​
Rana, S V S. “Perspectives in endocrine toxicity of heavy metals--a review.” Biological trace element research vol. 160,1 (2014): 1-14. doi:10.1007/s12011-014-0023-7

EFFECTS OF ENDOCRINE-DISRUPTING HEAVY METALS ON HUMAN HEALTH

​This review collects current knowledge regarding the endocrine-disrupting roles of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn), summarizes the possible molecular mechanisms of these endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and briefly evaluates their endocrine toxicity on animals and humans.
​
Liu, Dongling et al. “Effects of Endocrine-Disrupting Heavy Metals on Human Health.” Toxics vol. 11,4 322. 29 Mar. 2023, doi:10.3390/toxics11040322

Even low blood lead levels are linked to increased levels of tooth decay and cavities in 2-6 year olds.

BLOOD LEVELS OF THE HEAVY METAL, LEAD, AND CARIES IN CHILDREN AGED 24-72 MONTHS 

This study indicates that even low blood lead levels are associated with increased dental  caries extent/severity in early life. Dental caries are also known as tooth decay or cavities.
​
Wiener, R Constance et al. “Blood levels of the heavy metal, lead, and caries in children aged 24-72 months: NHANES III.” Caries research vol. 49,1 (2015): 26-33. doi:10.1159/000365297

Lead, mercury, and cadmium are linked to increased arthritis. Arthritis includes Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Psoriasis, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, and Gout.

​COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF HEAVY METALS IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND HEALTHY CONTROL IN PAKISTANI POPULATION

​Concentration of heavy metals in serum samples of rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy control individuals differ significantly which shows that heavy metals may have contribution towards development of rheumatoid arthritis.
​
Irfan, Shazia et al. “Comparative Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Healthy Control in Pakistani Population.” Iranian journal of public health vol. 46,5 (2017): 626-633.

HEAVY METALS IN FISH AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH AUTOIMMUNITY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS: A PROSPECTIVE BIRTH COHORT STUDY

Moderate exposure to heavy metals, associated with fish consumption, during pregnancy and early childhood may cause effects on the immune system of the offspring, resulting in ANA positivity and JIA.

Aluminium is a potent stimulator of the immune system, which is the very reason it is used as an adjuvant. In the absence of Al most vaccinations fail to launch an adequate immune response. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 and interleukin-6, are needed for adequate stimulation of antibody-producing B-cells. These cytokines are induced by Al adjuvants in vaccines. Our results showed that cord blood aluminium does not correlate with fish consumption, but correlate with development of JIA. We have no explanation for this results. One can speculate about the source of the aluminium that leads to higher cord blood levels of Aluminium in JIA patients. Certain families may have been cooking in aluminium containers more often than other families. Another source could be intake of aluminium from foods (other than fish) or consumed by using aluminium-containing pharmaceuticals.

Kindgren, Erik et al. “Heavy metals in fish and its association with autoimmunity in the development of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a prospective birth cohort study.” Pediatric rheumatology online journal vol. 17,1 33. 2 Jul. 2019, doi:10.1186/s12969-019-0344-3

METALS AS A COMMON TRIGGER OF INFLAMMATION RESULTING IN NON-SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

In this study, reduction of inflammation-causing metals resulted in an alleviation of symptoms and long-term health improvement. The decrease of metal-specific lymphocyte responses in vitro after removal of sensitizing metals supports the clinical relevance of these findings. 

In addition to their well-known toxic effects, heavy and transition metals might function as immunologically active haptens as well as possess potent adjuvant inflammatory potential. In susceptible patients, chronic low dose exposure to metals may trigger inflammation and exacerbate already existing diseases. Cytokine release with deregulate the HPA axis and trigger non-specific symptoms, including profound fatigue and joint pain. In patients suffering from CFS, fibromyalgia or ASIA, laboratory markers of metal allergy, such as metal-specific memory lymphocytes, should always be measured. The proposed treatment protocol follows the standard procedure used in allergology and dermatology: namely, avoidance of exposure to sensitizing agent(s).

Lastly, it is of utmost importance to increase awareness among health professionals regarding the risk for systemic side effects caused by metal exposure in immunologically sensitized patients.

Stejskal, Vera. “Metals as a common trigger of inflammation resulting in non-specific symptoms: diagnosis and treatment.” The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ vol. 16,12 (2014): 753-8.

Copper and manganese may be associated with increased immunoinflammatory markers. These markers are associated with coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MULTIPLE-HEAVY-METAL EXPOSURES AND SYSTEMIC IMMUNE INFLAMMATION IN A MIDDLE-AGED AND ELDERLY CHINESE GENERAL POPULATION 

Plasma metals Copper and Manganese were positively correlated with immunoinflammatory markers SII, NLR and PLR. While plasma metal Iron was negatively correlated with immunoinflammatory markers SII, NLR, and PLR. 
​
Zhao, Linhai et al. “Correction: Association between multiple-heavy-metal exposures and systemic immune inflammation in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese general population.” BMC public health vol. 24,1 1745. 30 Jun. 2024, doi:10.1186/s12889-024-19124-2

Heavy metals impact the function of our brains in ways that mimic or exacerbate autism spectrum disorders and ADHD.

MECHANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL IMPAIRMENT INDUCED BY ARSENIC EXPOSURE

Inorganic and methylated arsenic species can accumulate in different tissues including the brain, in which the accumulation is region-specific. Perinatal exposure to arsenic leads to long-term behavioral, cognitive, and motor deficits. The neurotoxic mechanisms of arsenic include exacerbated oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired synaptic activity, which drive cell damage and, ultimately, cell death.
​
Vázquez Cervantes, Gustavo Ignacio et al. “Mechanisms Associated with Cognitive and Behavioral Impairment Induced by Arsenic Exposure.” Cells vol. 12,21 2537. 28 Oct. 2023, doi:10.3390/cells12212537

METAL PROFILES IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS: A CROSSTALK BETWEEN TOXIC AND ESSENTIAL METALS

Intriguingly, metals affect the critical molecular aspects of ASD, including oxidative stress, inflammation, synapse development, synaptic communication, brain connectivity, and gut-brain signaling.
​
Błażewicz, Anna, and Andreas M Grabrucker. “Metal Profiles in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Crosstalk between Toxic and Essential Metals.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 24,1 308. 24 Dec. 2022, doi:10.3390/ijms24010308

HEAVY METALS' EFFECT ON SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER: IMPLICATION OF LEAD, CADMIUM, AND ANTIMONY

Our findings indicate metals’ relationship to susceptibility to ADHD, especially for lead, cadmium, and antimony. Children’s neurocognitive function is particularly correlated to lead levels. 
​
Lee, Min-Jing et al. “Heavy Metals' Effect on Susceptibility to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Implication of Lead, Cadmium, and Antimony.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 15,6 1221. 10 Jun. 2018, doi:10.3390/ijerph15061221

Heavy metals are hard on your brain. There are associations between toxins and Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, ALS, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Guillain–Barré disease, Gulf War syndrome, Huntington's disease, MS, and Wilson's disease.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HEAVY METAL EXPOSURE AND PARKINSON'S DISEASE: A REVIEW OF THE MECHANISMS RELATED TO OXIDATIVE STRESS

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a gradually progressing neurodegenerative condition that is marked by a loss of motor coordination along with non-motor features. Although the precise cause of PD has not been determined, the disease condition is mostly associated with the exposure to environmental toxins, such as metals, and their abnormal accumulation in the brain. Heavy metals, such as iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb), have been linked to PD and contribute to its progression.
​
Pyatha, Sarita et al. “Association between Heavy Metal Exposure and Parkinson's Disease: A Review of the Mechanisms Related to Oxidative Stress.” Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 11,12 2467. 15 Dec. 2022, doi:10.3390/antiox11122467

METALS AND NEURODEGENERATION

Once metals have accumulated in the nervous system, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and protein misfolding are the most common deficits associated with metal-induced toxicity. Once injured, neurons have to expend greater energy to synthesize neurotransmitters and maintain homeostasis. The increased burden combined with the neurotoxicity may lead to neuronal death. When some neurons are lost, the job has to be passed on to other neurons, initiating a vicious cycle of toxicity. Given that the nervous system does not regenerate as well as other systems do, the neurodegeneration and impairments usually become progressive with age, as typically seen in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. 

Chen, Pan et al. “Metals and Neurodegeneration.” F1000Research vol. 5 F1000 Faculty Rev-366. 17 Mar. 2016, doi:10.12688/f1000research.7431.1

PFAS and heavy metal mixtures are associated with obesity.

ADIPOTROPIC EFFECTS OF HEAVY METALS AND THEIR POTENTIAL ROLE IN OBESITY
Recent findings demonstrated the association between heavy metal exposure and prevalence of obesity. Exposure to markers of mercury, cadmium, lead, and arsenic as well as metal mixture were found to be correlated with anthropometric and metabolic parameters in obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Tinkov, Alexey A et al. “Adipotropic effects of heavy metals and their potential role in obesity.” Faculty reviews vol. 10 32. 26 Mar. 2021, doi:10.12703/r/10-32

Chronic fatigue symptoms lessen when you reduce the toxic load on your body. This suggests that fatigue can be caused by heavy metal and toxin exposure.

IMPROVED CHRONIC FATIGUE SYMPTOMS AFTER REMOVAL OF MERCURY IN PATIENT WITH INCREASED MERCURY CONCENTRATION IN HAIR TOXIC MINERAL ASSAY: A CASE

As the primary target is the nervous system, chronic mercury exposure can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, headache, and poor recall and concentration. 
Our patient's toxic chronic fatigue symptoms improved after he was given mercury removal therapy, indicating that he was correctly diagnosed with chronic exposure to organic mercury.
​
Shin, Sae-Ron, and A-Lum Han. “Improved chronic fatigue symptoms after removal of mercury in patient with increased mercury concentration in hair toxic mineral assay: a case.” Korean journal of family medicine vol. 33,5 (2012): 320-5. doi:10.4082/kjfm.2012.33.5.320

Mean difference and 95% confidence interval in intensity of local and general health complaints. A) Baseline – 1-year follow-up (Q1–Q2) and B) Baseline – 5-year follow-up (Q1–Q3) in the Amalgam cohort. Positive value indicates improvement of symptoms after removal of amalgam restorations. The dashed line indicates zero change.

​Sinha, Nivedita et al. “Health complaints before and at one and five years after removal of dental amalgam restorations - data from a prospective cohort study in Norway.” Acta odontologica Scandinavica vol. 83 219-229. 3 May. 2024, doi:10.2340/aos.v83.40260

The numbers are in. We are dying earlier. More people are suffering from chronic illness. More people are suffering from multiple conditions.

CHRONIC DISEASE PREVALENCE IN THE US: SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND GEOGRAPHIC VARIATIONS BY ZIP CODE TABULATION AREA
​
​An increasing proportion of people in America are dealing with multiple chronic conditions; 42% have 2 or more, and 12% have at least 5.
​
Benavidez GA, Zahnd WE, Hung P, Eberth JM. Chronic Disease Prevalence in the US: Sociodemographic and Geographic Variations by Zip Code Tabulation Area. Prev Chronic Dis 2024;21:230267. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd21.230267

There are so many different studies referenced on this site. Many of them demonstrate a correlation between higher levels of heavy metals and increase/worsening of chronic diseases. Some studies even demonstrate a causal relationship. 

CORRELATION VS. CAUSATION​
Correlation is a relationship between two variables, and causation occurs when one of those variables has an effect on the other. A common mistake reporters make when writing about medical studies is confusing correlation and causation. Two variables in a study can be related without one actually being directly caused by the other.
​“Correlation vs. Causation.” Association of Health Care Journalists, healthjournalism.org/glossary-terms/correlation-vs-causation/.

Heavy metals block the absorption of Vitamin D. Additionally, Vitamin D may "help" heavy metals be absorbed and retained in your body. 

Some metals such as copper, manganese, zinc, selenium, iodine, and cobalt are needed in specific quantities for our bodies to function properly. We call these trace elements. However, too much of a good thing can also be bad. This is a bit of a goldilocks situation, but some metals like cadmium, lead, nickel, chromium, mercury, and arsenic are not needed at all. 

HEAVY METALS AND HUMAN HEALTH: POSSIBLE EXPOSURE PATHWAYS AND THE COMPETITION FOR PROTEIN BINDING SITES

Heavy metals enter the human body through the gastrointestinal tract, skin, or via inhalation. Toxic metals have proven to be a major threat to human health, mostly because of their ability to cause membrane and DNA damage, and to perturb protein function and enzyme activity.

Witkowska, Danuta et al. “Heavy Metals and Human Health: Possible Exposure Pathways and the Competition for Protein Binding Sites.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 26,19 6060. 7 Oct. 2021, doi:10.3390/molecules26196060