Trace Metal Analysis of Foods

Analysis of Napoleon s and Beethoven s hair revealed that they had excessive concentrations of arsenic and lead, respectively. Napoleon was definitely poisoned with the arsenic while Beethoven suffered from lead toxicity that may have been responsible for his lifelong illness that affected his personality and caused his death. Evidence for these poisons became known only recently with the introduction of advanced analytical techniques. Were the poisons administered intentionally or accidentally via foods  

Knowledge and understanding of heavy metals in human toxicity is important because the body processes only inactive mechanisms for their excretion, and chronic low levels can eventually accumulate to toxic proportions. In high concentrations the metals listed in Table 7.12 may contribute to many ill effects. 

A deficiency in foods or supplements of the metals listed in Table 7.13 may also contribute 

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