Metals
- Maintaining a balanced diet can reduce the amount of cadmium taken into the body from food and drink. This also ensures the proper intake of beneficial elements, such as calcium, selenium, and zinc, which counteract some of the cancer causing effects of other heavy metals. Also, be aware that those who eat refined flours, sugars, and white rice are likely to have greater exposure to cadmium - as are those who have shellfish, coffee, tea, and soft water. Extra zinc (to help counteract high cadmium levels) can be obtained through zinc supplements or high zinc foods such as whole grains, legumes, and nuts (oysters, while high in zinc, are also high in cadmium).
- In the home, store substances that contain cadmium safely away and keep nickel-cadmium batteries out of reach of young children.
- Do not put nickel-cadmium batteries in the trash if the trash is going to be incinerated.
- Avoid smoking and breathing in tobacco smoke whenever possible to reduce cadmium exposure.
- Use alternatives to cooking utensils made out of aluminum, especially those that are older. Instead use pots or pans made out of stainless steel or iron. Also avoid aluminum foil for food storage.
- Try to avoid using underarm cosmetics that contain aluminum. Check for safer alternatives at Skin Deep's Campaign for Safe Cosmetics at ewg.org or use home-made solutions like baking soda, white clay, or deodorant crystals.
- Avoid taking large quantities of soluble aluminum such as aluminum-containing antacids and buffered aspirin to reduce exposure to aluminum.