Toxic Risk Alert: Study Reveals Arsenic Danger in Seafood Consumption

University of Bern research shows arsenobetaine in seafood can convert to toxic compounds, raising safety concerns.

Key Takeaways

Arsenobetaine in seafood can be converted into toxic substances by intestinal bacteria
Mice with gut microbes accumulated higher arsenic concentrations than germ-free mice
Arsenobetaine was previously considered low-risk due to low toxicity and rapid excretion

By The Numbers

Higher

Arsenic concentration in intestinal tract of mice with gut microbes

Slower

Arsenic excretion rate in conventional mice on low-arsenic diet

They Said

"Intestinal microbes therefore play a decisive role in the metabolism of arsenobetaine in the body. In this case, however, the microbiome appears to have a harmful effect"
— Siegfried Hapfelmeier

Breaking Research: Seafood Arsenic Risk

Study Methodology and Findings

Health Implications

Swiss Research Leadership

Sources & References

Seafood can lead to toxic arsenic compounds

SWI swissinfo.ch

Key Takeaways

Arsenobetaine in seafood can be converted into toxic substances by intestinal bacteria
Mice with gut microbes accumulated higher arsenic concentrations than germ-free mice
Arsenobetaine was previously considered low-risk due to low toxicity and rapid excretion

By The Numbers

Higher

Arsenic concentration in intestinal tract of mice with gut microbes

Slower

Arsenic excretion rate in conventional mice on low-arsenic diet

They Said

"Intestinal microbes therefore play a decisive role in the metabolism of arsenobetaine in the body. In this case, however, the microbiome appears to have a harmful effect"
— Siegfried Hapfelmeier

Key Takeaways

By The Numbers

They Said

Breaking Research: Seafood Arsenic Risk

Study Methodology and Findings

Health Implications

Swiss Research Leadership

Sources & References

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