Nickel Part 2
Scientific experiments on a nickel deficiency in the human body have not been carried out and there are no known human medical conditions that result from not having enough of this mineral in our bodies. However, patients with psoriasis, cirrhosis of the liver and kidney disease so have marked decreases of nickel in their bodies.
Treatment with nickel for these conditions has not been carried out, so it cannot be determined that such treatment would be effective. In animals where this deficiency has been observed, it resulted in dermatitis, decreased function of the reproductive system, changes in the skin pigmentation and diseases of the liver.
Toxicity to nickel is very common. It is not as a result of ingesting too much of the mineral from food however. Instead, nickel toxicity often results from inhalation of exhaust fumes, smoking and from some industrial wastes. Some of the symptoms of this toxicity include headaches, nausea and vomiting and dizziness.
There are people who have sensitivity to nickel in jewellery and this result in skin irritation. If you engage in physical activity on a regular basis causing excessive sweating, you may need to take a dietary supplement to replace the nickel lost from your body through the sweat glands.
back to Nickel Part 1