Platinum in the Human Body: A Comprehensive Guide

Platinum, a precious metal known for its use in jewelry and industrial applications, is also present in the human body, albeit in trace amounts. While not considered an essential element for human life like iron or zinc, platinum’s presence and its potential effects are topics of ongoing research and interest. This article delves into the nuances of platinum in the human body, addressing common questions and providing a thorough understanding of its presence, sources, and implications.

How Does Platinum Get Into Our Bodies?

Platinum enters our bodies through various routes:

• Environmental Exposure: The Earth’s atmosphere contains trace amounts of platinum, which we inhale with each breath and absorb through our skin.
• Dietary Intake: Platinum is present in certain foods and drinking water. Common sources include white cabbage, sunburst squash (pattypan squash), potatoes, and broccoli. This means that consuming these and similar products can introduce trace amounts of platinum into our systems.
• Medical Treatments: Platinum is a crucial component in certain chemotherapy drugs, especially those used to treat various cancers. These drugs, known as platinum-based antineoplastic drugs (or ‘platins’), are a significant source of platinum exposure.
• Occupational Exposure: Workers in industries handling platinum are at risk of increased exposure. These could include mining, manufacturing of catalytic converters, and working with platinum-based jewelry.

Where Is Platinum Found in the Body?

Platinum tends to accumulate in specific areas of the human body:

• Kidneys: Research indicates that the kidneys are a primary site for platinum accumulation. Much of it is then excreted through urine.
• Blood: Platinum is found in blood, although in very low concentrations.
• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF): Platinum has also been detected in the cerebrospinal fluid, which is found around the brain and spinal cord.
• Saliva: Trace levels of platinum can be present in saliva.
• Urine: Excretion of platinum primarily occurs through urine, indicating an important pathway for removal.
• Faeces: Platinum is also excreted via faeces, though usually at slightly lower levels than urine.

Is Platinum Harmful?

The effects of platinum on the human body are varied and depend on several factors including exposure levels and duration:

• Allergies: Platinum is a known allergen. It can cause skin allergies resulting in itching and rashes. Some individuals can develop asthma-like allergies, with symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and chest tightness upon exposure.
• Carcinogenicity: The pharmaceutical cisplatin, a platinum compound, is classified as a carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). However, the carcinogenicity of other platinum compounds remains uncertain, requiring further study.
• Heavy Metal Effects: While not as acutely toxic as other heavy metals, prolonged exposure to elevated levels of platinum may cause symptoms associated with heavy metal toxicity, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and nervous system issues like numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.

How is Platinum Removed from the Body?

The body naturally eliminates platinum through urine and faeces. However, when platinum levels become high, or if symptoms of heavy metal toxicity arise, intervention may be needed:

• Chelation Therapy: This is a medical treatment involving the administration of chelating agents. These agents bind to heavy metals, including platinum, allowing the body to dissolve and excrete them through urine. This therapy is used to reduce the heavy metal load when it becomes excessive.
• Dietary Approaches: Consuming a balanced diet rich in whole foods and vegetables can support natural detoxification processes. Certain foods, such as milk thistle, algae (chlorella and spirulina), ginkgo biloba, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, coriander and green tea, are believed to aid the body’s natural detoxification processes.
• Epsom Salt Baths: Epsom salts, containing sulphates, may help flush out toxins and heavy metals through the skin in a process called reverse osmosis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Platinum in the Human Body

1. What is the normal level of platinum in the human body?

Normal blood platinum levels range from less than 0.8 to 7 picograms per cubic centimeter. These amounts are exceedingly small.

2. How much platinum is excreted from the body daily?

Typically, urinary excretion of platinum can range between 0.76 and 1.07 μg per day, and faecal excretion ranges between 0.61 and 0.73 μg per day based on studies of a healthy adult male.

3. What foods are high in platinum?

Platinum can be found in foods such as white cabbage, sunburst squash (pattypan squash), potato, and broccoli. These can contribute to trace amounts in your system.

4. Is platinum a necessary nutrient for the human body?

No, platinum is not considered an essential element for human life. Unlike iron or zinc, it serves no known biological function.

5. What are the symptoms of high platinum levels in the body?

Symptoms of heavy metal toxicity might occur due to elevated platinum levels, such as **abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, chills, diarrhea, fatigue, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet**.

6. Can platinum cause cancer?

The platinum-based drug cisplatin is recognized as a human carcinogen. However, the carcinogenic potential of other platinum compounds requires further study.

7. What is chelation therapy and how does it help remove platinum?

**Chelation therapy** involves administering agents that bind to heavy metals, such as platinum, facilitating their removal through urine. It’s a medical treatment for heavy metal poisoning.

8. Is exposure to platinum through jewelry harmful?

While platinum jewelry is considered hypoallergenic due to its purity (typically **85% to 95% pure platinum**), individuals with pre-existing platinum allergies might experience skin reactions.

9. Can an Epsom salt bath detox heavy metals, including platinum?

The sulphates in Epsom salt baths may help in detoxifying the body by facilitating the removal of toxins and heavy metals through reverse osmosis. While this can offer a gentle detox support, it is not a primary treatment method.

10. How is platinum used in cancer treatment?

Platinum-based drugs, such as cisplatin, are used in the chemotherapy treatment of various cancers, including **lymphoma, testicular, breast, ovarian, head and neck, cervical cancer, and sarcomas.**

11. How long does it take to detox heavy metals from the body?

The timeframe can vary considerably based on individual factors and exposure levels. Detoxification can take **several weeks, months, or more than a year**. It's important to undergo proper medical testing to monitor the progress of heavy metal removal.

12. How do I know if I need a heavy metal detox?

Symptoms such as **unexplained fatigue, brain fog, or digestive issues** can suggest heavy metal toxicity. A heavy metal test using blood, urine, fingernails, or hair samples can provide further clarification.

13. Are there foods that can aid in the removal of heavy metals?

Yes, foods such as milk thistle, algae like chlorella or spirulina, ginkgo biloba, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, coriander, and green tea may help the body in detoxifying heavy metals. A diet based on whole foods and vegetables is also important.

14. Where does the platinum found in the human body originate?

Platinum enters the body primarily from the **environment** (air, water, and soil), certain **foods**, and sometimes through **medical treatments** or **occupational exposure**.

15. Is there any biological benefit of platinum in the human body?

Currently, there is no known biological use or benefit of platinum in the human body. It’s presence is not considered essential to healthy biological function and it is considered a nonessential element. Its presence is a result of environmental, dietary, medical, and occupational exposures.

Conclusion

Platinum, though present in the human body in trace amounts, is not an essential element and can pose health risks at higher exposure levels. While it may enter our systems through various environmental, dietary, and medical routes, the human body primarily excretes it through urine and faeces. Understanding its presence and potential effects is essential for both medical research and individual health management. Continued study into the effects of this heavy metal will be important in determining optimal prevention and treatment options. If you suspect high levels of platinum in your system due to exposure and are experiencing related symptoms, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional for appropriate testing and treatment.