neuropathy, diabetes and chronic arsenic exposure
Arsenic exposure has been associated with the onset of diabetes, and
patients with chronic arsenic exposure often present with the
complaint of painful paresthesias. Neuropathy results in diminished
sensitivity to pinprick, light touch, temperature, and vibration and
in motor deficits in a stocking-glove distribution. Muscle wasting
and foot drop sometimes are noted. Patients may also develop
encephalopathy, myocarditis, pericarditis, peripheral vascular
disease (ie, blackfoot disease), lung cancer, renal failure, anemia,
brittle nails exhibiting Mees lines, or hyperpigmentation (especially
of the eyelids, neck, axillae, and groin).
How does arsenic exposure happen? A Harvard document points out,
"Arsenic contamination has become a problem in many parts of the
world. At first as a result of leaching from mine tailings in
Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Thailand, United Kingdom, and the
United States, but also from the arsenic in natural aquifers now or
recently used for water supply in Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia,
Chile, China, Ghana, Hungary, Inner Mongolia, Mexico, Nepal, New
Zealand, Philippines, Taiwan, the United States and Vietnam.
The Graziano article also notes, "Arsenic competes with phosphates
for adenosine triphosphate, forming adenosine diphosphate monoarsine,
causing the loss of high-energy bonds." This is toxin-induced
mitochondrial ATP impairment. The article continues, "Arsenic binds
to enzyme sulfhydryl groups and forms a stable ring, which
deactivates the enzyme." It blows away your most important
antioxidant glutathione, which is also part of the ATP energy cycle.
The significance is that the disorder of diabetes has been part of
the mitochondrial disorders group for some time.
We made one of the most serious contaminants we could find into a
permanent part of our environment. One can readily see the
significance of increasing antioxidants and minimising arsenic
intake. Until now, we could either treat by reverse osmosis or
distill our drinking water; neither of these options is feasible on a
municipal scale. Now we can simply filter it with an inexpensive and
portable cartridge, and the technology is also available to municipal
installations.