Scientists discover how nanoparticles of toxic metal used in MRI scans infiltrate human tissue (Oxalate or Vitamin C the cause)

Medical Xpress / University of New Mexico / Magnetic Resonance Imaging ^ | April 5, 2025 | Michael Haederle / Ian M. Henderson et al

[ConservativeMind]

Researchers studying the health risks posed by gadolinium, a toxic rare earth metal used in MRI scans, have found that oxalic acid, a molecule found in many foods, can generate nanoparticles of the metal in human tissues.

In a new paper, Brent Wagner, MD sought to explain the formation of the nanoparticles, which have been associated with serious health problems in the kidneys and other organs.

"The worst disease caused by MRI contrast agents is nephrogenic systemic fibrosis," he said. "People have succumbed after just a single dose." The condition can cause a thickening and hardening of the skin, heart and lungs and cause painful contracture of the joints.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents are injected prior to MRI scans to help create sharper images, Wagner said.

Scientists are left with intertwined puzzles: Why do some people get sick, when most don't, and how do gadolinium particles become pried loose from the other molecules in the contrast agent?

In their study, Wagner's team focused on oxalic acid, which is found in many plant-based foods, including spinach, rhubarb, most nuts and berries and chocolate, because it binds with metal ions. The process helps lead to the formation of kidney stones, which result when oxalate binds with calcium. Meanwhile, oxalic acid also forms in the body when people eat foods or supplements containing vitamin C.

In test tube experiments the researchers found that oxalic acid caused minute amounts of gadolinium to precipitate out of the contrast agent and form nanoparticles, which then infiltrated the cells of various organs.

The finding points to a possible way to mitigate some of the risks associated with MRI scan, he said.

"I wouldn't take vitamin C if I needed to have an MRI with contrast because of the reactivity of the metal," Wagner said.

[jurroppi1]

Interesting info on ProHance the label.

I wonder if it would’ve been indicated for my scans at the time, which were hip related. I did not have kidney issues at the time, nor any indication that I would be dealing with kidney stones for at least 5-7 years after the fact.

I remember being warned about gad poisoning (the small risk), or Guillain-Barre, the supposedly smaller risk, both of which were presented as very low risk, but had to be warned of. I looked up gad poisoning and the highest likelihood symptom was hip pain. I thought, hell, I’ll never know.

[kelly4c]

The hives did go away after they forced a Benadryl pill on me. I don’t do well with Benadryl either lol.

[kelly4c]

Good to know. I hope it doesn’t involve Benadryl though I don’t do so well with that.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

C.M. Thanks for this article. I had an MRI that used this contrast dye and I have not really felt the same since. This might explain it.