Is There Heavy Metal Hiding in Your Dietary Supplement?

But be careful. Some supplements may include dangerous heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, aluminum and cadmium. Even arsenic is sometimes referred to as a heavy metal.

Heavy metals are found in plants, water, and the minerals we mine and use in food additives, such as salt and calcium. They’re hard to avoid entirely, but high levels can be harmful, so it’s essential to steer clear of them when you can. Lead, for instance, is the most well-known heavy metal and can harm the brain development of infants and children. Cadmium can lead to kidney damage, and arsenic is a known cause of cancer.

A simple way to protect yourself from ingesting products containing unsafe levels of these ingredients is to look for supplements tested in independent, accredited laboratories, to help ensure that they don’t contain dangerous heavy metals or other contaminants.