Bismuth Toxicity

Symptoms of bismuth toxicity include confusion, decreased appetite, weight loss, weakness, joint pain, skin rash, tremors, diarrhea, staining on gums.

Bismuth Toxicity Sources:

• Drinking water, fruits, vegetables (small amounts), pharmaceuticals, antacids, anti-diarrheal and ulcer medications. 
• Cosmetics, automatic sprinklers, fuse alloys, solders, pigments and paints, semiconductors, electronic components, batteries, metal mining and refining.  

Contributing Causes of Bismuth Toxicity Uptake/Retention:
Methionine deficiency

How do Decrease Bismuth Toxicity Uptake/Retention: 

Insure adequate Lipoic acid and methionine as “SAM-e”

Bismuth Toxicity Actions in the Body:  

• Binds to sulfhydryl detoxification sites, inactivates enzymes, affects methylation.
• Distributes to liver, kidney, soft tissues, and bones.
• Also affects central nervous system (brain and nerves) and mucous membranes.
• Excess may cause nephrotoxicity (kidney toxicity) with renal tubular lesions.

Symptoms of Excessive Exposure: 

• Confusion
  Decreased
• appetite
• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Joint pain
• Skin rash
• Tremors
• Diarrhea
• Staining on gums

References

Genova Diagnostics Toxic & Nutrient Elements Chart

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