How Heavy Metals Increase Heart Disease and Hypertension Risk
A review article published in the peer-reviewed journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine summarizes the impact of heavy metals mercury and cadmium on the vascular system.
The overall vascular effects of mercury include oxidative stress, inflammation, thrombosis, vascular smooth muscle dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, dyslipidemia [high LDL cholesterol, low HDL, high triglycerides], immune dysfunction, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The clinical consequences of mercury toxicity include hypertension, CHD [coronary heart disease], MI [myocardial infarction], increased carotid IMT and obstruction, CVA, generalized atherosclerosis, and renal dysfunction with proteinuria …
… Cadmium concentrates in the kidney, particularly inducing proteinuria and renal dysfunction; it is associated with hypertension, but less so with CHD. Renal cadmium reduces CYP4A11 and PPARs, which may be related to hypertension, sodium retention, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and zinc deficiency.
More on Mechanisms
There are several primary ways in which heavy metal exposure may increase the risk for vascular disease:
Increased Oxidative Stress - Mercury and cadmium have high affinity for molecules that contain sulfhydryl groups (-SH), including several sulfur-containing antioxidants, such as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), alpha-lipoic acid, and glutathione. As a result, when the body is exposed to these heavy metals, antioxidant function is compromised and oxidative stress increases.
Inflammation - Oxidative stress, in turn, leads to oxidation of LDL cholesterol and increased inflammation. Immune cells (e.g., macrophages) are drawn to areas of damage in the blood vessels, consume oxidized LDL cholesterol, and form foam cells. The foam cells, along with platelets that promote the development of smooth muscle cells, build up and create blood vessel blockages.
Disruption of Enzyme Function - Both mercury and cadmium bind to enzymes and take the place of other essential minerals, such as zinc and copper. As a result, many chemical reactions that are dependent on these enzymes are negatively affected throughout the body.
For example, another recent study found that mercury activated an enzyme that promoted a process leading to the buildup of plaque on blood vessel walls.
Parinandi and colleagues focused on activation of an enzyme called phospholipase D, or PLD, in cells that line arteries in the lung. They exposed the cells to the inorganic, environmental and pharmaceutical forms of mercury, and observed that all three forms activated the enzyme.
The activation of the enzyme involves a complex sequence of events in the cell membranes that in turn releases phosphatidic acid, which can damage cells in the vessel lining - called endothelial cells - and is believed to contribute to vascular disorders.
In another enzyme example from the review article, mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals inactivate COMT, an enzyme that promotes the breakdown of the catecholamines: epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine, and dopamine. As a result, blood pressure increases, and that, in turn, may be a sign of heavy metal toxicity.
What You Can Do
As the review article author suggests:
Heavy metal toxicity, especially mercury and cadmium, should be evaluated in any patient with hypertension, CHD, or other vascular disease.
I second that recommendation from personal experience. Seven years ago, I ate a healthy diet and exercised regularly, and yet my blood pressure was 140/95. Fortunately, I identified chronic mercury exposure as the problem, and within 6 months of safely removing the heavy metal sources, adding supportive supplementation, and beginning chelation, my blood pressure was 105/65 and has remained there ever since.
The authors of the articles above note the importance of both supportive and corrective measures, such as:
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Diet - avoiding fish high in mercury
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Supplementation
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Antioxidants
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Minerals - zinc, selenium
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Omega-3 fatty acids
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Chelation - using chemical compounds that bind to the metals and remove them from the body
I agree and help people to address heavy metal toxicity using these and other measures in my counseling practice. You can read more about my approach here.
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(Image: NetWellness.org)
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