Cadmium

Advanced wellness

also cd

What it isA toxic heavy metal absorbed from cigarette smoke, certain shellfish, organ meats, and contaminated soil (which concentrates cadmium into leafy greens, sunflower seeds, cocoa, and grains). Once absorbed it has a 10–30 year half-life, accumulating in kidney cortex and bone.

DoesDamages renal tubules, displaces zinc and calcium from enzymes, and drives oxidative stress.

GoodLow cadmium protects kidneys and bones over decades and reduces cardiovascular and cancer risk.

BadElevated cadmium drives proteinuria, accelerates osteoporosis, raises hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk, and is classified as a human carcinogen for lung and likely kidney and prostate.

Standard

<5 µg/L blood.

Optimal

0–1 µg/L blood (lower is good)

Modifiers

Smoking is the single largest exposure; iron deficiency increases absorption from food.

How to optimize

Lifestyle: Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke; this is the single biggest lever.
Diet: Vary grain sources; limit organ meats and shellfish if elevated; ensure adequate iron, calcium, and zinc to compete with absorption.
Supplements: Zinc 15–30 mg/day, iron if deficient, NAC, selenium, vitamin C — all compete with or counteract cadmium toxicity.
Peptides: —
Drugs: No effective chelator; avoidance and supportive care.

within Toxins & Heavy Metals