Arsenic

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This material is for educational purposes only
The preceding statements have not been evaluated by the
Food and Drug Administration
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Copyright © 2005 - The Eck Institute of Applied Nutrition and Bioenergetics, Ltd.

Sources of Arsenic
•	Organic arsenic (arsenate) is found in a variety of foods
•	Inorganic arsenate or arsenite:	pesticides, beer, table salt, water, paint, cosmetics, pigments, rat poison, glass and mirror manufacture, fungicides, wood preservatives

Roles In The Body
Several laboratories believe that arsenic is an essential element in small quantities. Its functions are not clear, but may have to do with growth, and blood formation.

Symptoms Associated with Arsenic Deficiency
Laboratory rats deprived of arsenic showed slower growth, iron-laden spleens, and rough hair. Their offspring had fragile red blood cells.

Symptoms Associated With Arsenic Excess

•	Enzyme inhibitor
•	Interferes with uptake of folic acid
•	Inhibition of sulfhydryl enzyme systems

Chronic symptoms:
	abdominal pain	hair loss	pallo
	abnormal ECG	headache	peripheral neuritis
	anorexia	herpes	sore throat
	dermatitis	impaired healing	stomatitis
	diarrhea	jaundice	stupor
	edema	keratosis	vasodilation
	fever	kidney damage	vertigo
	fluid loss	liver dysfunction	vitiligo
	goiter	muscle spasm	weakness

Antagonists
iodine, selenium

Hair Analysis Notes
Arsenite accumulates in the hair tissue, and hair analysis is considered a valuable means of detecting arsenic toxicity.

Mineral Information