Foods rich in nickel

Nickel is a trace element involved in hematopoiesis (erythropoiesis) and redox processes, providing tissue cells with oxygen.

The substance was discovered in the 1751 year and occupies the twenty-eighth place in the periodic system of D.I. Mendeleev under the symbol “Ni”.

The compound is part of the red blood cells, reduces the effects of adrenaline, has a beneficial sedative effect on the nervous system. With a large blood loss, the element is used in the form of injections to stimulate blood formation, the synthesis of red blood cells. Interestingly, the absorption of nickel in the bloodstream occurs under the influence of hydrochloric acid, which is contained in the gastric juice.

The mineral is involved in the exchange of vitamins C, B12, is responsible for maintaining the structure of the cell membrane in a normal state.

In the body of an adult is from 5 to 14 mg of nickel. The content of the trace element in the internal organs depends on age, gender, physiological state of health, weight, environmental conditions. It has been established that during pregnancy, breastfeeding in women, the absorption of nickel increases. In addition, with age, the element accumulates in the lungs.

The body’s daily need for a compound is 100 – 300 mcg.

Overview

Nickel is a ductile and malleable silvery-white metal. Chemical activity is low: it reacts slowly with acids, and does not react with alkalis. In air, the element is covered with an oxide film.

The origin of the name of the compound is associated with an evil spirit – a gnome, who, in German mythology, seemed to throw a similar mineral to the Saxon miners looking for copper, a similar mineral – red nickel pyrite NiAs, the so-called arsenic-nickel shine. As a result of unsuccessful attempts to smelt copper from this ore, furious miners assigned the names “Kupfernickel” and “Nickel” to the new metal, which meant “Copper Devil” and “Mischievous” respectively. Today, the word “Nikkel”, in the language of German miners, still means a curse.

In human organs, this microelement is most concentrated in the pituitary gland (black matter of the midbrain), liver, pancreas, and adrenal glands. Nickel, which enters the body with food, is absorbed in the human digestive tract by 1-10%. At the same time, orange juice, milk, coffee, tea, ascorbic acid reduce its absorption. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, iron deficiency, on the contrary, increase the absorption of the mineral.

Nickel is transported directly with serum albumin. Interestingly, in blood plasma, the element is predominantly bound to alpha – 1 – glycoprotein and niceloplasmin proteins (alpha – 2 – macroglobulin).

The “spent” compound on 95% is excreted from the human body with feces, and the remaining 5% – from the bile, then, urine.

Despite the positive properties of the trace element, remember that nickel is an active allergen that causes eczema, contact dermatitis in people who are sensitive to this metal. Possible reasons for the development of adverse reactions are the contact of household items, rivets on clothes, jewelry, in which the element is present, with the skin.

Biological role

The value of nickel for maintaining the health of living organisms is under study. Although there is little information about the biological role of the compound, it is known that the element participates in the structural organization, functioning of DNA, RNA, and protein.

Useful properties of nickel:

• participates in the regulation of fat, carbohydrate metabolism;
• participates in the activation of the action of insulin, increasing hypoglycemic activity;
• participates in lowering blood pressure;
• stimulates blood formation, increases hemoglobin level;
• depresses the action of adrenaline;
• involved in the synthesis of hormones;
• participates in the oxidation of vitamin C;
• enhances the antidiuretic effect of the pituitary gland;
• activates arginase;
• has a calming effect;
• promotes the excretion of corticosteroids in the urine;
• affects enzymatic processes, accelerates the transformation of sulfhydryl groups into disulfide;
• preserves the conformation of the RNA molecule.

With a sufficient amount of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B 12) in the human body, nickel stimulates muscle growth, the lack of – causes the opposite effect.

Since the XIX century and until now, salts of this trace element have been successfully used in the complex treatment of skin diseases (psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis). Also, the mineral is indicated for asthenic conditions, hypertension, diabetes.

Symptoms and effects of deficiency

Nickel deficiency in the body occurs when using 50 mcg or less of the compound per day, which is 2-6 times less than the daily norm.

Considering that the trace element is widely distributed in food, the daily diet of an average person, as a rule, contains a double daily dose of a useful substance (500 – 600 mcg).

Signs of a nickel deficiency in the body:

• decrease in hemoglobin, cholesterol and hematocrit;
• lethargy, weakness in muscles;
• increased blood sugar levels;
• change in skin pigmentation;
• decrease in motor activity;
• pathological changes in the liver.

Nickel antagonists are sulfur, iron, zinc, vitamin C, selenium.

Prolonged deficiency of the compound contributes to the appearance of dermatitis, problems with the pericardium, shortening of the lower extremities, delayed physical development, and reduces the body’s resistance to diseases.

Symptoms and effects of surplus

An excess of nickel in the human body is much more common than a deficiency. Nickel sulfate and chloride are the most toxic because of their good solubility in water. Less toxic to the human body is affected by insoluble compounds: oxalate, phosphate, silicate.

An excess of nickel in domestic conditions can be obtained as a result of the use of low-quality dishes, cheap jewelry and dentures, which include this mineral. In addition, the trace element is present in tobacco, so people with a bad habit of smoking are also at risk.

In production, overdose is much easier to obtain with mineral than in living conditions. This is due to the fact that carbonyl nickel formed during the processing of metals, nickel dust, has the ability to accumulate in the body, which leads to a rapid poisoning of the worker.

A deficiency of calcium, magnesium, iron increases the absorption of the metal.

With constant contact of a person with vapors, dust, nickel compounds, or as a result of receiving a single overdose of an element (50 mg) with food, medicines, tap water, an overdose occurs. In this case, acute inflammation of the skin develops – contact dermatitis, keratitis, vitiligo, asthma, arthritis, cellular immunity weakens, the activity of enzymes and hormones slows down.

In severe cases, work with salts of this element for 2 years or more can lead to the appearance of a tumor of the lungs, nasopharynx, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, impaired coordination of movements (ataxia).

Signs and effects of body poisoning:

• nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath;
• problems with digestion;
• degeneration of the liver, kidneys;
• headache;
• malfunctions in the nervous, cardiovascular systems;
• violation of carbohydrate metabolism;
• deterioration of the blood;
• neurasthenia;
• diseases of the thyroid gland, reproductive organs;
• corneal ulceration;
• urobilin in urine;
• nasal bleeding;
• anemia;
• tachycardia;
• swelling of the lungs, brain;
• pain in the hypochondrium on the right;
• rhinitis;
• reduced response to external stimuli or excessive excitability of the central nervous system.

In order to restore health and eliminate the symptoms of the effects of excess nickel in the body, it is recommended to limit the intake of the mineral with food, observe safety precautions at work (wear protective masks, overalls).

Remember, carbonyl compounds of nickel are extremely dangerous for human health, sometimes 2 – 3 hours of continuous inhalation of microelement vapors leads to fatal poisoning.

Food sources

Every day, up to a quarter of the mineral from the daily norm comes from hard tap water, which is infused in pipes overnight, enriched with the compound. In addition, the main food sources of nickel are pure cocoa powder – 980 mcg per 100 g of product, bittersweet chocolate – 260 mcg (milk – 120). The reasons for the high concentration of the element in these products are the constant contact of raw materials with stainless steel machines, a powerful processing process. In addition, the leaders in the content of the compound are legumes.

In order to avoid oversaturation of the diet with nickel and the development of overdose symptoms, it is recommended to exclude products with a high content of the trace element from the menu, replacing them with products with a low percentage of the mineral in the composition. These products include: onions, cabbage, poultry, cucumbers, pumpkins, carrots, milk, beef, sausages, broccoli. The nickel content in these products does not exceed 15 micrograms per 100 g of food.

Nickel-containing beverages include beer, tea, coffee. Limit the consumption of “liquid” sources of microelement to two or three cups per day.

Conclusion

Thus, tobacco smoke, canned food, legumes and chocolate products are factors that, if consumed excessively, lead to oversaturation and poisoning of the body with a microelement. To maintain health, exclude them from the daily menu.

Nickel allergy sufferers are advised to avoid contact with objects that provoke a reaction, exclude foods with a moderate and high content of the compound (over 40 micrograms per 100 g of product), and refuse to use cosmetics and jewelry containing the allergen. In addition, when working with metal, use skin and respiratory protection (for example, latex gloves, masks).