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A recent study has revealed that higher dietary tellurium levels, a contaminant stemming from mining and manufacturing activities, are linked to increased blood pressure. Though foods high in tellurium, such as cereals and legumes, do not directly cause hypertension, researchers emphasize the importance of global monitoring of tellurium in foods due to its potential role as a risk factor for hypertension.
The probability of developing high blood pressure (hypertension) rises with elevated levels of tellurium. This contaminant, originating from mining and manufacturing activities, can find its way into foods, making enhanced monitoring of tellurium levels in certain foods crucial to reduce the incidence of high blood pressure in the general population. The study investigating the link between tellurium exposure and hypertension was published in the journal Environment International.
Significant Findings from Nagoya University
The study, led by Nagoya University in Japan, indicates that tellurium exposure may contribute to elevated blood pressure, a significant public health concern. Takumi Kagawa, one of the researchers involved in the study, highlighted the significance of the findings, stating, “The results indicate diet was the most significant contributor to increased urinary tellurium levels, compared to other lifestyle factors, such as smoking and working status, and physiological factors, such as age and sex. Dietary intake, an important aspect of our lifestyle, plays a significant role in increased urinary tellurium concentrations.”
Dietary Sources of Tellurium
In Japan, cereals and legumes, represented by rice and natto (fermented soybeans), are popular dietary choices. These foods are packed with essential nutrients, such as high-quality carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, that support a person’s health. However, tellurium, a rare metalloid, can also be present in these foods. Mining and manufacturing activities release dust, ash, and slag, which are responsible for the presence of tellurium in the soil. In certain cases, it can be transferred from the soil to crop plants, such as cereals, carrots, and garlic, leading to human exposure through food.
The study, conducted by Professor Masashi Kato, Takumi Kagawa, and their colleagues, involved 2,592 Japanese adults and revealed that higher levels of tellurium in urine were associated with higher blood pressure and a greater occurrence of hypertension. The results were consistent in both mice and humans. “We administered tellurium to mice in amounts equivalent to what humans might encounter daily and observed an increase in blood pressure,” explained Tomoko Misawa, the lead author of the study. “When we stopped the exposure, both the blood pressure and the tellurium levels in their urine decreased. These results provide a direct link between tellurium exposure and increased blood pressure, confirming findings in humans.”
Impact of Cereal and Legume Consumption
Professor Kato and his team also studied foods that raise the levels of tellurium in urine. They discovered that the consumption of cereals and legumes caused high levels of tellurium, but further testing did not establish a direct link to high blood pressure rates. “We found that despite raising tellurium levels in the urine, cereal/legume intake did not directly increase the risk of hypertension,” said Takumi Kagawa. “Cereals/legumes may contain many diverse nutrients that can mitigate the risk of hypertension despite high levels of tellurium. However, considering that increased tellurium exposure is a latent risk factor for hypertension and foods contribute to this association, careful and continuous monitoring of tellurium levels in individual foods may be crucial.”
“The urinary level of tellurium in this study was comparable with the levels in general populations in other countries,” added Professor Kato. “Our results indicate an increased potential risk of hypertension by tellurium exposure may be applicable to general populations all around the world.”
Conclusion
The study underscores the importance of global monitoring of tellurium levels in foods to address the potential risk of hypertension associated with this contaminant. As dietary intake is a significant contributor to increased urinary tellurium levels, continuous vigilance in food monitoring and regulation is essential to mitigate this public health risk.
Reference: “Elevated level of urinary tellurium is a potential risk for increase of blood pressure in humans and mice” by Tomoko Misawa, Takumi Kagawa, Nobutaka Ohgami, Akira Tazaki, Shoko Ohnuma, Hisao Naito, Dijie Chen, Yishuo Gu, Takashi Tamura, Kenji Wakai, Kimitoshi Nishiwaki, and Masashi Kato, 12 May 2024, Environment International. DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108735
