Posted on 07/03/2025 9:54:22 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
A new multi-cohort study has found that exposure to certain metals, detected in urine, is associated with a higher risk of heart failure (HF).
"In our analysis of over 10,000 adults we observed consistent associations between elevated urinary metal levels and increased HF risk over long-term follow-up."
The study pooled data from three large cohorts with more than 20 years of follow-up.
Key findings included:
—Higher levels of the mixture of five metals in urine—arsenic, cadmium, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc—were associated with a 55% higher risk of heart failure in rural American Indian adults (SHS), a 38% higher risk in urban and suburban diverse populations (MESA) and a 8% increased risk in adults in Spain (Hortega).
—In the analysis of metals individually, a doubling in the levels of urine cadmium, a toxic metal found in tobacco products, foods and industrial waste, was associated with a 15% higher risk of heart failure.
—Similarly, a doubling in the levels of molybdenum and zinc was associated with 13% and 22% higher risk of heart failure across the three cohorts. These metals have an essential function in the body, but high levels can be toxic.
The sources of exposure to these metals can vary from urban and rural environments. Toxic metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and tungsten can occur as a result of mining and industrial activity, leading to contamination of drinking water, foods that grow in contaminated soils, and air pollution.
Many of these metals are also present in smoking devices, consumer products, and certain foods, observe Martinez and her co-authors: "Essential metals such as zinc and selenium are needed for biological functions, but high levels can be toxic."
"We consistently found higher urinary levels of cadmium, molybdenum and zinc linked to increased heart failure risk," noted Ana Navas-Acien, MD, Ph.D.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I know growing up on a farm that you may not know what is in your water source. Our well was found to have high nitrates that put us kids at risk of baby blue syndrome, but we only found that out after we grew enough that the risk had now lessened, due to being bigger, it seemed. This is an example of the kind of testing you can do or find to see if you have unknown risks, without expensive blood tests. Your own metro water district gets tests done. Read the table, if nothing else.
Check your choice of chocolates against tests done by Consumer Reports, ConsumerLab.com, and other organizations. Chocolate can have higher levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic. Consider supplements that could at least slightly chelate bad minerals out of the body.
Finally, double-check your supplements against daily food intake mineral expectations. Stop supplementing as much or lower your intake of minerals, if already high.
I designed/built fuel systems. 30 + years
. Surprised I don’t have a cancer.
Messed with diesel and avgas.
So... The more lead you have in your pencil... The better off you are?
Drs prescribe zinc these days.
He was turned to steel
In the great magnetic field
When he traveled time
For the future of mankind
Nobody wants him
He just stares at the world
Planning his vengeance
That he will soon unfurl
Can you hang magnets from your body? You probably have a problem.
You do want to be careful with zinc supplementation. Daily zinc dosing can cause a build up in your body to the point of toxicity. A lot of journals point to 50 mg zinc per day as the absolute high point, and since zinc is naturally occurring in foods, esp. leafy greens and red meat, you want to be careful.
Zinc is outstanding for immune support when you’re not feeling well, but for most individuals, daily supplementation of zinc isn’t necessary.
This is enormous. Easy to measure, too it seems.
I take zinc a few times a week. Prophylacticlly.
Cut back?
What about other elements excreted otherwise?
Seems it should matter.
The Upper Tolerable Limit of zinc is 40 mg/day. Zinc opposes copper in various bodily functions. The Upper Tolerable Limit of copper is 10 mg/day.
Our bodies need the total copper to zinc ratio to average 1 mg copper : 7.5 mg of zinc.
I had signs of too much copper and too little zinc from food, water, and supplement sources. I calculated I got 4-5 mg of copper a day but only 15-20 mg of zinc a day, for many years. There aren’t good common sources of zinc, but there are for copper, in my diet. We also have copper pipes with high amount of chloramines from the city, and chloramines peel away copper. The annual water report showed .5 mg/copper per liter of water. That, coupled with food choices, the amount of chocolate I was getting, and supplements, helped me see what I had allowed (or done) to get me in this unexplainable place with my symptoms.
Add up your total sources of copper and zinc and see if you are maintaining that “magic ratio.” If you aren’t, your body will excrete the opposing mineral to get you to the right ratio, unfortunately. For me, it took years, but it showed up.
We now bleed the water at the kitchen sink for a few minutes every morning to get rid of what the sitting chloramines pulled into the water. I cut down on chocolate eating. I started taking 22 mg of zinc a day on too of my vitamin and minerals. Note that my vitamin and my mineral formulations had that magic ratio already in them. I needed to adjust what I did outside of those.
Check your total daily sources out and determine if the zinc is an issue. It likely isn’t, but seek that ratio of 1 mg copper to 7.5 mg of zinc.
What were signs of too much copper and zinc?
If it isn’t one thing, it’s another that’s gonna get us.
Rice and other grains naturally contain arsenic and other heavy metals from the soil, which is why you’re suppose to rinse it. They say brown rice is good for you but it contains the most. Rinsing only gets out 10%. Of course, everything comes from the soil as does the water we’re rinsing it in.
Welcome to Free Republic!
I don’t take zinc. I’m just saying the doctors are prescribing it out there.
Hello thanks.
I am currently on a 'Town' warte system .
I have noticed a significant debris residue under my dish drying rack, as I only hand wash my dishes.
The other day, while in a local store I noticed a man who was purchasing spring water by the 24 pack,
and I began to think back to the residue in my drying rack and thinking it may be high in mineral content and perhaps other debris.
Now I am beginning to rethink my water supply since I now question the quality of the local water supply, especially after all the recent rain.
Look up your local town/city annual water report. It will show you useful stuff.
Calcium and magnesium are good.
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