Study: Gut Bacteria Transforms Arsenic, Increases Its Toxicity
By admin on Jul 29, 2010 in Supplement and Vitamin
For many people, worrying about arsenic poisoning is akin to worrying about catching the bubonic plague. They mistakenly believe that it’s something only found in history books. Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is, even in today’s world, arsenic poisoning is still a very real concern.
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In fact, certain forms of arsenic are found naturally in geographic areas with high concentrations of metal ore. When these metals are mined and brought up to the surface, arsenic is often times released into the surrounding soil. Once it is in the soil, it will eventually work its way into any nearby ground water, which in turn may contaminate the agriculture and drinking water in surrounding communities.
This isn’t a big secret. Regulatory agencies throughout the world monitor the levels of arsenic found in these areas to make sure that they remain within the perceived tolerable limits.
Unfortunately, new research shows that arsenic leached from contaminated soil may become even more toxic as it is processed by the human digestive system. This means that the level of exposure that our bodies are able to cope with may be significantly lower than regulators previously believed.
How Did They Test It?
Researchers cultured samples of bacteria that are naturally found in the human intestines and placed them into simulated digestive tracts. Four different types of soil known to have relatively high concentrations of naturally occurring arsenic were then added to the artificial digestive systems. A pure processed from of organic arsenic commonly used in metal smelting and certain forms of manufacturing was added to a fifth “digestive tract” as a control measure.
Once processed, the arsenic was retested to determine if any changes to its chemical composition had taken place. Their findings, as you may have already guessed, were much more dramatic than the researchers originally anticipated.
Finished samples taken from both the pure and soil-based arsenic being tested were found to have been transformed from their original states into significantly more toxic compounds. Specifically, monomethylarsonous and monomethylmonothioarsonic acids, which are known to trigger cancer in the lungs as well as the liver, kidneys and bladder.
What Can I Do To Protect Myself?
Even with this new information, protecting yourself and your loved ones from arsenic is difficult. After all, it is a naturally produced substance that has always been found in portions of the food supply. That said, there are steps you can take to both reduce your exposure and decrease the time arsenic spends inside your body.
If you live in a region with relatively low concentrations of arsenic present in the soil, I recommend eating more locally grown, organic produce. If not, research the source of the foods you consume. Ensuring that your digestive system processes the foods you eat quickly and efficiently helps to reduce the time arsenic spends in your body. And regular cleansing helps prevent the build up of excess toxins that may stick around afterwards. Taking an oxygen cleanser is a great way to promote both healthy bowel transit time, as well as help eliminate any leftover toxins lingering in your intestinal tract.
For additional peace of mind, you could do a chemical/heavy metal cleanse, which will help flush out excessive amounts of harmful chemicals and heavy metals. You can also easily check to see if your body is accumulating arsenic, by using a home hair analysis test kit.
Related Articles:
- The Health Dangers of Arsenic
- How to Eliminate Arsenic in Drinking Water
- 20 Reasons Why You Need A Heavy Metal Cleanse
- Arsenic & Apple Juice: Are You Giving Your Kids Poison?
Credits to:Natural Health & Organic Living Blog