A recent study based on the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) has highlighted the association between the presence of non-essential and essential metals in urine and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality. The study found that various metals such as cadmium, tungsten, uranium, cobalt, copper, and zinc were linked to increased incidence of CVD and death over a period of more than 17 years. The highest quartiles of these metals showed heightened risks, with cadmium and copper displaying a positive linear dose-response relationship with both CVD events and mortality.
The study’s authors, led by Irene Martinez-Morata, MD, PhD, emphasized that urinary metal levels could serve as a strong predictor of CVD risk and all-cause mortality. The associations observed in the study align with previous research indicating a connection between metals and cardiovascular health. The findings also support the premise that atherosclerosis plays a significant role in the relationship between metals and clinical events, underscoring the clinical relevance of subclinical associations.
While arsenic, cadmium, and lead are already recognized as contaminant metals that pose a risk for CVD, other non-essential toxic metals like uranium and tungsten have received less attention. Tungsten, in particular, is not regulated in public drinking water, leading to uncertainties about exposure levels nationwide. The study highlighted the need to investigate the sources of exposure to these unregulated metals, especially considering their common presence in drinking water, food, air pollution, and indoor dust.
The study’s authors stressed the importance of understanding the contributions of different sources to internal metal exposure, suggesting a critical need for regulation and monitoring of essential and non-essential metals. While more research is necessary before regulatory action can be taken, the study’s implications support efforts to reduce environmental exposure to harmful metals, particularly in marginalized communities. The study’s findings have the potential to inform public health initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities related to heart disease.
Essential Metals and Cardiometabolic Dysregulation
On the other hand, essential metals like cobalt, copper, and zinc are tightly regulated within the body. Elevated levels of these metals in urine could indicate early cardiometabolic dysregulation, signaling potential malfunctions in metabolism associated with cardiovascular disease. The study emphasized the importance of monitoring essential metal levels as indicators of nutrient imbalance and metabolic dysfunction.
The study utilized data from the MESA cohort, which has been following a diverse population since 2000. With a focus on 6,599 participants who had urinary metal assessments at baseline, the study collected data up to 2019. While the observed associations between urinary metals and cardiovascular events remained significant even after adjusting for various risk factors, the study acknowledged limitations such as reliance on single spot measurements that may not capture changing or long-term exposure to metals effectively.
The study sheds light on the complex relationship between non-essential and essential metals and cardiovascular health, emphasizing the need for further research and regulatory action to mitigate the risks associated with metal exposure. By understanding the impact of metals on cardiovascular disease and mortality, healthcare providers and policymakers can work towards reducing environmental exposures and addressing health disparities in vulnerable populations.
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