|
People who are exposed to higher levels of cadmium
have an increased risk of osteoporosis and
fractures. Cadmium also affects the kidneys. A
doctoral thesis at Sahlgrenska Academy explored this
issue in a study of over 900 older men.
We
are exposed to low levels of the heavy metal
cadmium, daily. This occurs primarily through food,
but smokers are also exposed from cigarette smoke.
Cadmium in food and cigarette smoke is absorbed and
stored by the body, primarily the kidneys.
It has long been known that exposure to high levels
of cadmium can cause severe damage to the skeleton
and the kidneys, but the effects of low levels have
not been studied as thoroughly.
In
her thesis, Maria Wallin, MD and PhD student at
Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg,
studied over 900 older men.
“Those with higher levels of cadmium in their urine
had lower bone mineral density and an increased risk
for future fractures. The increased fracture risk
applied to osteoporosis related fractures of the
hip, pelvis, forearm and shoulder,” says Maria
Wallin.
In
another study, the effects of cadmium on the kidneys
of 109 healthy kidney donors were examined.
“In this study, we had access to biopsy material
from the kidneys, which is unique as normally you
are unable to measure cadmium levels in kidneys. The
results showed that persons with higher cadmium
exposure had an increased excretion of calcium in
their urine, which could be due to effects on the
skeleton or on the kidneys. These persons also had
increased excretion of small proteins in their
urine,” says Maria Wallin.
The
studies indicate that cadmium can affect the
skeleton and maybe also the kidneys, at the low
levels found in the Swedish general population.
The
spread of cadmium in the environment must be
reduced,” believes Maria Wallin.
Cadmium is a heavy metal that occurs in our
environment, both naturally and as a contaminant
resulting from agricultural and industrial
activities. Cadmium can be found in phosphate
fertilizers, but is also spread to agricultural soil
by air deposition. Many plants easily absorb cadmium
from the soil, which causes cadmium to end up in our
crops and tobacco. For the general population, food
and cigarette smoking are the two main sources of
cadmium.
Link
to thesis
Link...
Sahlgrenska akademin
Link...
MDN |