Bismuth

Bismuth is derived from the German language and means “white mass.” It is a naturally occurring and stable heavy metal and about 86 percent as dense as lead, but much less toxic, which is why alloys of bismuth are now used as replacements for products that have traditionally been made from lead, such as buckshot.

Special Precautions and Side Effects of Bismuth

• Although the half-life of bismuth is generally short for most of your tissues, it can accumulate in your kidneys and liver with long-term use, causing toxicity symptoms and reduced function according to “Human Biochemistry and Disease” by Gerald Litwack. Too much bismuth leads to a dark colored tongue, black deposits within the gums of your mouth and black stools, which are similar symptoms to lead poisoning. Skin and respiratory irritation can also occur following exposure.

Health Benefits and Uses of Bismuth

• Bismuth oligo-element (Dietary mineral) is effective in influenza cases, especially during viral infectious states of the otolaryngology. It is most often recommended in sore throats, pharyngitis and laryngitis but also in stomach aches and gastrointestinal diseases. It combines anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory analgesic properties. This is why it is recommended in winter periods, especially since it also has very valuable immunostimulatory effects against aggressive external agents.
• Bismuth subsalicylate is used as an antidiarrheal; it is the active ingredient in such "pink bismuth" preparations as Pepto-Bismol, as well as the 2004 reformulation of Kaopectate. It is also used to treat some other gastro-intestinal diseases like shigellosis[63] and cadmium poisoning. The mechanism of action of this substance is still not well documented, although an oligodynamic effect (toxic effect of small doses of heavy metal ions on microbes) may be involved in at least some cases. Salicylic acid from hydrolysis of the compound is antimicrobial for toxogenic E. coli, an important pathogen in traveler's diarrhea.
• a combination of bismuth subsalicylate and bismuth subcitrate is used to treat the bacteria causing peptic ulcers.
• Bibrocathol is an organic bismuth-containing compound used to treat eye infections.
• Bismuth subgallate, the active ingredient in Devrom, is used as an internal deodorant to treat malodor from flatulence and feces.
• Bismuth compounds (including sodium bismuth tartrate) were formerly used to treat syphilis.
• "Milk of bismuth" (an aqueous suspension of bismuth hydroxide and bismuth subcarbonate) was marketed as an alimentary cure-all in the early 20th century.
• Bismuth subnitrate (Bi5O(OH)9(NO3)4) and bismuth subcarbonate (Bi2O2(CO3)) are also used in medicine.
• Bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) is sometimes used in cosmetics, as a pigment in paint for eye shadows, hair sprays and nail polishes. This compound is found as the mineral bismoclite and in crystal form contains layers of atoms (see figure above) that refract light chromatically, resulting in an iridescent appearance similar to nacre of pearl. It was used as a cosmetic in ancient Egypt and in many places since.

Food Sources

It is often present in root vegetables (carrot, beet, celeriac, turnip, rutabaga, parsnip ...), tubers (potato, sweet potato, cassava, yam, Jerusalem artichoke ...) and in some algae such as kelp.

References

• https://www.topsante.com/nutrition-et-recettes/les-mineraux-et-oligo-elements/5-oligo-elements-pour-eviter-les-maux-d-hiver-614194
• Hammond, C. R. (2004). The Elements, in Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (81st ed.). Boca Raton (FL, US): CRC press. pp. 4–1. ISBN 978-0-8493-0485-9.
• Sox TE; Olson CA (1989). "Binding and killing of bacteria by bismuth subsalicylate". Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 33 (12): 2075–82. doi:10.1128/AAC.33.12.2075. PMC 172824. PMID 2694949.
• Parnell, R. J. G. (1924). "Bismuth in the Treatment of Syphilis". Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 17 (War section): 19–26. doi:10.1177/003591572401702604. PMC 2201253. PMID 19984212.
• Giemsa, Gustav (1924) U.S. Patent 1,540,117 "Manufacture of bismuth tartrates"
• Hammond, C. R. (2004). The Elements, in Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (81st ed.). Boca Raton (FL, US): CRC press. pp. 4–1. ISBN 978-0-8493-0485-9.