Heavy metal pollution not only lowers IQ in children, but also can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a report in ISRN Hypertension.

The review article authored by Peter Jennrich from Clinical Metal Toxicologist (IBCMT) in Wuerzburg, Germany reveals that the environmental pollution can be a major cause for cardiovascular disease.  The most harmful heavy metals are arsenic, lead and mercury. 

What these pollutants can do to increase the risk cardiovascular disease include accumulation of free radicals, damage of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, lipid peroxidation, and endocrine influence.

The changes induced by the heavy metals like arsenic, lead and mercury lead to the damage of vascular endothelium, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and increased mortality from cardiovascular diseases.

The author suggests that the harmful effect of arsenic, lead and mercury on the risk of cardiovascular disease should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Heavy metal pollutants can induce oxidative stress, which is involved in many chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, and therefore, antioxidants may help alleviate the detrimental effect of heavy metal pollutants.  For instance, glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid may be used to treat mercury toxicity, according to previous stduies.

Common supplemental antioxidants include melatonin, vitamin C, vitamin E,  uric acid, pyruvate, glutathione, taurine, and hypotaurine, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, ginkgo biloba, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), green tea, N-acetylcysteine, L-carnitine, and selenium.  (David Liu, PHD)