Published on July 11, 2019
Cadmium, which is classified as a group 1 human carcinogen, is a soft, silver-white metal that is found in the earth’s crust. Cadmium can be found in the food and water supply, but in North America it is not at a level to cause a health concern for the general population. Individuals who work in specific industries, such as battery manufacturing and waste management, and smokers tend to have higher exposure to cadmium.
Long-term, lower level exposure results in cadmium accumulation in the kidneys and thyroid gland, and can contribute to thyroid issues, kidney disease, infertility, uterine fibroids, and other reproductive tract diseases if the build-up is high enough. Cadmium has also been found to cause cancer and to affect the body’s cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems. More information about cadmium can be found in this previous blog.
Earlier this year, GrassrootsHealth started offering a cadmium test as part of the Elements Panel, which includes testing your vitamin D level along with essential elements magnesium, selenium, zinc, copper, and zinc:copper ratio, and toxic heavy metals cadmium, lead, and mercury. This test is a reflection of short-term cadmium exposure.
The test results for the first 122 participants who have tested their cadmium levels are shown below. The average level was 0.44 μg/L which falls within the lab reference range (less than 1.04 μg/L); this reference range indicates the range of typical results found in the population the lab serves but does not necessarily indicate the optimal range for health.
Do you know your cadmium level?
Could your cadmium level be affecting your health? Test with the Elements Panel, which also includes your vitamin D level along with essential elements magnesium, selenium, zinc, copper, and zinc:copper ratio, and toxic heavy metals lead, and mercury. Find out your levels today! Log on to the shop (click the link below) to get your tests and see for yourself if your levels can be improved.
Make sure you track your results before and after, about every 6 months!
Click Here to Access the Shop Page
How can I track my cadmium levels and that of other toxic elements?
To help you track your levels of tested elements and nutrients, GrassrootsHealth has created an online tracking system called myData-myAnswers. For each toxic element you can track potential times of exposure. You can also track intake of specific essential elements, what days you take it, how much, and many other details. You can also track your nutrient intake from dietary sources. Check it out today!
How Can You Use this Information for YOUR Health?
Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Measuring is the only way to make sure you are getting enough!
STEP 1 Order your at-home blood spot test kit to measure vitamin D and other nutrients of concern to you, such as omega-3s, magnesium, essential and toxic elements (zinc, copper, selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury); include hsCRP as a marker of inflammation or HbA1c for blood sugar health
STEP 2 Answer the online questionnaire as part of the GrassrootsHealth study
STEP 3 Using our educational materials and tools (such as our dose calculators), assess your results to determine if you are in your desired target range or if actions should be taken to get there
STEP 4 After 3-6 months of implementing your changes, re-test to see if you have achieved your target level(s)
