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9Bromine (Br) - value for the body and health, which contains
Tkacheva Natalia, phytotherapist, nutritionist
Eliseeva Tatyana, editor-in-chief of the EdaPlus.info project
E-mail: tkacheva.n@edaplus.info, eliseeva.t@edaplus.info
Abstract. The article considers the main properties of bromine ( B r ) and its effect on the human body. A systematic review of modern specialized literature and relevant scientific data was carried out. The best natural sources of bromine are indicated . The use of the mineral in various types of medicine and the effectiveness of its use in various diseases are considered. The potentially adverse effects of bromine on the human body under certain medical conditions and diseases are analyzed separately.
Key words: bromine , B r , bromine, useful properties, contraindications, sources
A recent discovery allowed scientists to add bromine (Br) to the list of elements necessary for life and put it on a par with calcium, potassium. It is especially necessary for the structure of tissues and many of its functions are still being investigated by scientists. Chances are good that you are getting enough of the mineral from your favorite foods. There is also a risk of excess.
The role of bromine in the body
The benefits of the mineral for humans became known in the 21st century. Scientists have found that it is easily absorbed in the intestines, has a half-life of about 12 days and is required by a special enzyme called peroxidase. With its help, the enzyme forms a special bond and is responsible for the architecture of tissues.
It is important to remember that bromine is not a safe substance and in excess can be harmful to health. For example, a significant increase in the level of bromine in plasma increases the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood. These are the consequences of the action of the mineral on the thyroid gland - in excess, it reduces its activity. [one]
Bromine in food: concentration, assimilation
The mineral is never found in nature in elemental form - it is presented in the form of organic compounds known as bromides, and natural organobromine. They are found in air, soil, water, salts. You can even consume them from popular drinks like Coca-Cola.
The mineral has even been found in drinking water. Scientists have found that under the influence of ozone, bromate ions are formed from it, which are very strong oxidizing agents that harm the body. However, humans are now more exposed to bromides through food due to the use of bromine-containing fumigants in horticulture and food storage. [2]
Foods that contain bromine
Many people get too much bromine from supplements, foods, meals:
• pesticides used in agriculture contain methyl bromide;
• trace amounts of the microelement are found in flour, bakery products;
• many non-alcoholic, isotonic drinks with cola and citrus flavors contain bromide.
People are often exposed to bromine compounds through poorly washed fruits and vegetables, as pesticides remain on them. It is sometimes better to cut off the skin from purchased fruits - many toxic compounds can remain in them. Flour made from wheat, corn and other cereals can also be contaminated with brominated pesticides. Potassium bromate is also often used as an additive to bakery products - it makes the dough more elastic and elastic. [3]
The largest reservoir of the microelement is the ocean with a concentration of 65-80 mg/l of bromine. Therefore, a valuable component is found in many seafood, such as fish and shellfish. Researchers have even found it in seaweed. [four]
The optimal daily dose of bromine for the prevention of deficiency
Bromine is not needed by the body in large quantities - 1 mg / kg of body weight is enough. But in many countries, the daily intake is 2-8 mg / kg due to an improper diet, in which there are too many pastries, cereals, harmful fish, nuts. In such dosages, the substance can exhibit toxic properties. [5, 6]
Top 3 Research-Backed Health Benefits of Bromine
1. Needed for Collagen Formation
In the 1980s, researchers discovered defects in collagen-IV, a protein essential for tissue development, in some people. These people were also united by the deficiency of bromine. It turned out that ionic bromide helps enzymes build fibrillar protein, which underlies the connective tissue - tendons, bones, cartilage, dermis. [7]
2. Promotes normal sleep
The trace element was discovered as a sleep-inducing sedative compound - found in sufficient amounts in sleeping people and deficient in people with insomnia. The discovery is that the component induces REM sleep. Scientists have found that its concentration in the blood is greatly reduced during hemodialysis. This often leads to insomnia in dialysis patients. [eight]
3. Reduces lipid accumulation in liver cells
Increased accumulation of free fatty acids (FFA) and triglycerides (TG) provokes fatty liver disease. Clinical studies show that the higher the levels of bromide in the blood, the lower these indicators, total and "bad" cholesterol. However, the mode of action of bromide on lipid accumulation is still unknown. [9]
Interaction of bromine with vitamins and microelements
Bromine is a member of the halide family, which includes chlorine, fluorine, and iodine. It has properties similar to them, and with iodine it has a feedback - when its level rises, the concentration of iodine falls and vice versa. Lack of balance causes great harm to the body.
Bromine is dangerous because it competes with iodine for the same receptors - it acts as a substitute for it, interferes with absorption. Since the thyroid gland needs iodine to produce hormones, this leads to severe thyroid insufficiency (hypothyroidism).
Application in medicine
More than a century ago, bromine was introduced into medicine as an antiepileptic, anticonvulsant, sedative. In the 50s, drugs were available with him for the treatment of acid-dependent diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. They were withdrawn from sale in some states of America in 1975, but are still available outside of them.
Today, the mineral is found in some medicines such as inhalers, nasal sprays, gaseous anesthetics. Potassium bromate is found in mouthwashes, antiseptics to treat sore or bleeding gums.
Bromine in scientific research
• Bromine affects the accumulation of iodide not only in the thyroid gland, but also in the skin. Its high consumption can reduce iodine stores in the body, increase its excretion from the skin. Such effects appear at a dosage of 150 mg / day. [ten]
• Bromide intoxication has become a rare disease. It is believed that the decrease in incidence is associated with a decrease in the use of bromides, a decrease in their availability. However, bromism occasionally develops even under medical supervision due to oversight and failure to recognize side effects. The micronutrient may aggravate the disease for which it was prescribed. [11, 12]
• The study of the medicinal properties of bromide showed that it is difficult to use it in any drug therapy. Three groups of 8 healthy volunteers received 15, 24 and 30 mg of potassium bromide daily for 20 weeks. Compound blood concentrations were measured in all participants every two weeks. The results in each group were very different, which indicates a different assimilation of the component - it is difficult for doctors to predict its beneficial effects. [13]
• An excess of bromine increases the risk of preterm birth - it does not allow the body to absorb iodine, which is necessary for expectant mothers. It is difficult to monitor its consumption, as it is often used to purify water. Scientists have also found a link between bromide exposure and birth defects. [H 15]
• Recent studies have shown that potassium bromate used in baking causes oxidative DNA damage. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified it as a carcinogen. People consume this compound on a daily basis and doctors are afraid of the possible negative consequences. [16, 17]
Potential Harm of Bromine: Complications and Warnings
Humans can absorb organic bromine compounds through their skin, inhalation, and food. The most important negative health effects can be caused by bromine-containing organic compounds that disrupt the functioning of the nervous system. They can also cause damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Inorganic bromines are found in nature and can also damage the nervous system, thyroid gland.
Bromine deficiency - symptoms, consequences
Research shows that the mineral is essential for the development of the tissues of all living things, from primitive marine animals to humans. Without it, people have trouble sleeping. And adding it to the diet of patients on dialysis and full intravenous nutrition improves their health.
Symptoms of excess bromine
When bromine enters the body in large quantities, it does two things:
• replaces iodine, which can lead to a decrease in thyroid activity;
• has a direct toxic effect on tissues.
Currently, there is preliminary evidence that high levels can cause thyroid, prostate, and ovarian cancer. Penetrating into the nerves of the brain, it can lead to emotional problems such as mood instability, depression, psychosis, anxiety. There are also reports that some cases of schizophrenia are associated with bromine poisoning.
Other side effects of bromine:
• nodular acne, dryness, itching;
• anorexia, abdominal cramps and bloating;
• excessive fatigue;
• metallic taste in the mouth;
• unstable heart rate.
Be careful and remember that the mineral is everywhere. By limiting its exposure, you can avoid its toxicity. [18, 19, 20]
Interaction of bromine with drugs
The microelement does not combine well with some antibiotics, anesthetics, muscle relaxants and drugs for the treatment of angina pectoris. However, this only happens when a large dose of the mineral is consumed, exceeding the daily allowance.
Expert comment
Tatyana Eliseeva, nutritionist
Bromine plays an important role in maintaining health, but you probably don't need to make any changes to your diet to get it. Its compounds are added to baked goods and drinks, methyl bromide is sprayed on strawberries to control pests ... The risk of excess is greater than the risk of deficiency, so do not pay much attention to it. It is better to focus on the consumption of minerals that are hard for the body to obtain.
Literature
1. Allain, P. , et al . Bromine and thyroid hormone activity. Journal of clinical pathology 46.5 (1993): 456-458. DOI: 10.1136/jcp.46.5.456
2. Djam, Sima, et al. "Bottled water safety evaluations in IRAN: determination of bromide and oxyhalides (chlorite, chlorate, bromate) by ion chromatography." Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 18.2 (2020): 609-616. doi: 10.1007/s40201-020-00486-9
3. Bulathsinghala, AT, and IC Shaw. "The toxic chemistry of methyl bromide." Human & experimental toxicology 33.1 (2014): 81-91. DOI: 10.1177/0960327113493299
4. Sobolev, Nikita, et al. "Iodine and bromine in fish consumed by indigenous peoples of the Russian Arctic." Scientific Reports 10.1 (2020): 1-8. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62242-1
5. Van Gelderen, CEM, et al. "The no-effect level of sodium bromide in healthy volunteers." Human & experimental toxicology 12.1 (1993): 9-14. DOI: 10.1177/096032719301200102
6. Van Leeuwen, FX Rolaf, Bart Sangster, and Alfred G. Hildebrandt. "The toxicology of bromide ion." CRC critical reviews in toxicology 18.3 (1987): 189-213. DOI: 10.3109/10408448709089861
7. McCall, A. Scott, et al. "Bromine is an essential trace element for assembly of collagen IV scaffolds in tissue development and architecture." Cell 157.6 (2014): 1380-1392. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.05.009
8. Canavese, Caterina, et al. "A role for bromine deficiency in sleep disturbances of long-term dialysis patients." American journal of kidney diseases 48.6 (2006): 1018-1019. DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2006.08.033
9. Shi, Yujie, et al. "Bromide alleviates fatty acid-induced lipid accumulations in mouse primary hepatocytes through the activation of PPARa signals." Journal of cellular and molecular medicine 23.6 (2019): 4464-4474. DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14347
10. Pavelka, Stanislav, et al. "High bromide intake affects the accumulations of iodide in the rat thyroid and skin." Biological Trace Element Research 82.1 (2001): 133-142. DOI: 10.1385/BTER:82:1-3:133
11. Trump, DL, and MC Hochberg. "Bromide intoxication." The Johns Hopkins Medical Journal 138.4 (1976): 119-123. PMID: 131871
12. de Souza, Aaron, Kedareshwar PS Narvencar, and KV Sindhoora. "The neurological effects of methyl bromide intoxication." Journal of the Neurological Sciences 335.1-2 (2013): 36-41. DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2013.09.022
13. Braam, Richard L., et al. "Bromide as a marker to measure adherence to drug therapy." European journal of clinical pharmacology 62.4 (2006): 285-290. DOI: 10.1007/s00228-006-0103-5
14. Horton, Bethany Jablonski, et al. "The effect of water disinfection by-products on pregnancy outcomes in two southeastern US communities." Journal of occupational and environmental medicine/American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 53.10 (2011): 1172. DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0b013e31822b8334
15. Chisholm, Kimberley, et al. "Risk of birth defects in Australian communities with high levels of brominated disinfection by-products." Environmental health perspectives 116.9 (2008): 1267-1273. DOI: 10.1289/ehp.10980
16. Kawanishi, Shosuke, and Mariko Murata. "Mechanism of DNA damage induced by bromate differs from general types of oxidative stress." Toxicology 221.2-3 (2006): 172-178. DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2006.01.002
17. Entezam, Ali, et al. "Potassium bromate, a potent DNA oxidizing agent, exacerbates germline repeat expansion in a fragile X premutation mouse model." Human mutation 31.5 (2010): 611616. DOI: 10.1002/humu.21237
18. Buchberger, W., W. Holler, and K. Winsauer. "Effects of sodium bromide on the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones and brominated/iodinated thyronines." Journal of Trace Elements and Electrolytes in Health and Disease 4.1 (1990): 25-30. PMID: 2135954
19. Vobecky, Miloslav, et al. "Interaction of bromine with iodine in the rat thyroid gland at enhanced bromide intake." Biological trace element research 54.3 (1996): 207-212. DOI: 10.1007/BF02784432
20. Baumeister, F.A., and R. Eife. "Bromism or chronic bromide poisoning." Klinische Padiatrie 205.6 (1993): 432-434. DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1025264
Extended HTML version The articles are listed on the edaplus.info website.
Received 06.07.2022
Bromine (Br) - importance to the body and health, where it is found
Tkacheva Natalia, phytotherapist, nutritionist
Eliseeva Tatyana, editor-in-chief of the project EdaPlus.info
E-mail: tkacheva.n@edaplus.info, eliseeva.t@edaplus.info
Abstract. The article considers the basic properties of bromine (Br) and its effects on the human body. A systematic review of modern specialist literature and current scientific evidence is provided. The best natural sources of bromine are indicated. The use of the mineral in various types of medicine and the effectiveness of its use in various diseases are considered. Potentially adverse effects of bromine on the human body in certain medical conditions and diseases are analyzed separately.
