Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. 
Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. What was studied?
This research investigated the association between blood metals and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected from 2011 to 2020. The study focused on metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, selenium, and manganese, analyzing how varying levels of these metals in the blood may correlate with the onset and progression of CVDs. Additionally, the study aimed to develop predictive models based on blood metal concentrations to identify individuals at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases. Various statistical techniques, including logistic regression and random forest analysis, were used to analyze the relationship between blood metal levels and CVDs.
Who was studied?
The participants in this study were a representative sample of the U.S. civilian population, consisting of 23,448 individuals who had available data on both their blood metal levels and cardiovascular health. The study sample was divided into two groups: those with CVDs (2,676 participants, 11.41%) and those without CVDs (20,772 participants, 88.59%). The study covered various demographic factors such as age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status, along with clinical factors like BMI, smoking habits, diabetes, and hypertension. The population was drawn from a stratified, multi-stage sampling method to ensure broad demographic representation, reflecting the diversity of the U.S. population.
Most important findings
The study found significant associations between higher blood levels of certain metals and increased odds of CVDs. Lead was identified as the most crucial metal in predicting cardiovascular risk, with participants having higher blood lead levels showing a significantly higher odds ratio for developing CVDs (OR = 13.545). Blood cadmium also exhibited a positive relationship with CVD risk, although the association was less pronounced after adjustments. Selenium was identified as a protective factor, with higher blood selenium levels correlating with lower odds of developing CVDs. Interestingly, mercury levels showed an inverse relationship with CVDs, though this was possibly a statistical anomaly or related to other confounding factors. Manganese, another metal studied, also appeared to be protective against CVD, with higher levels being associated with reduced risk. These findings were further confirmed by random forest modeling, which demonstrated that blood metals, especially lead, cadmium, and selenium, played a substantial role in distinguishing CVD patients from non-CVD individuals.
Key implications
The protective role of selenium in reducing CVD risk suggests that promoting the inclusion of selenium-rich products could be beneficial in mitigating heavy metal toxicity. HTMC certification could encourage industries to incorporate selenium supplementation in manufacturing processes, particularly for foods and supplements that may help counteract the negative impacts of environmental contaminants. Lastly, the study’s predictive modeling findings highlight the potential of using blood metal levels as biomarkers for CVD risk assessment, supporting the need for HTMC-certified products to consider heavy metal testing as part of quality assurance and safety protocols.
Citation
Li, B., Liu, H., Mishra, D., Yuan, Z., Zhang, Y., Zhang, L., Huang, Y., Zhang, Y., Lin, J., Chen, J., & Liu, Z. (2024). The association between blood metals and cardiovascular diseases: Findings from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2020. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 11, 1479665. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2024.1479665
Lead is a neurotoxic heavy metal with no safe exposure level. It contaminates food, consumer goods and drinking water, causing cognitive deficits, birth defects and cardiovascular disease. HMTC’s rigorous lead testing applies ALARA principles to protect infants and consumers and to prepare brands for tightening regulations.
Cadmium is a persistent heavy metal that accumulates in kidneys and bones. Dietary sources include cereals, cocoa, shellfish and vegetables, while smokers and industrial workers receive higher exposures. Studies link cadmium to kidney dysfunction, bone fractures and cancer.
Mercury (Hg) is a neurotoxic heavy metal found in various consumer products and environmental sources, making it a major public health concern. Its regulation is critical to protect vulnerable populations from long-term health effects, such as neurological impairment and cardiovascular disease. The HMTC program ensures that products meet the highest standards for mercury safety.
