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Nickel Fast Facts

Foods: oatmeal, dried peas & beans, nuts, chocolate

Nutritional & health benefits: aids in iron absorbtion, as well as adrenaline and glucose metabolism, and improves bone strength

Like most trace elements essential to human nutrition, nickel is in a delicate dance with other trace nutrients and vitamins to keep your system running smoothly.

If you develop a nickel allergy and you'll soon discover how prevalent the mineral is around the house as well as in the foods you eat. The most common adverse reaction to nickel sensitivity is a skin rash at the site of contact with jewelry that contains nickel. Others may develop dermatitis or eczema.

Asthma attacks have even been reported in those with an extreme sensitivity to the metal found in jewelry or after eating high-nickel foods, such as nuts and chocolate.

Since the body needs such small amounts, nickel deficiency is rare. Nickel overdoses are also very infrequent, although studies show that overexposure to the metal is most prevalent in people involved in nickel mining or processing. For example, large doses of nickel-containing dust absorbed through the nose or mouth may lead to very serious conditions such as bronchitis and even lung cancer.

More about nickel & nutrition around the Web:

Nickel allergy - OhioHealth - Q&A on the skin rash most commonly caused by jewelry and body piercings, but also arising from contact with coins, zippers, and metal what jewelry or household items to avoid.

Nickel & Cobalt: Requirements, health benefits & interactions - The trace elements' effect on the cellular level with a discussion of nickel's association with allergies, along with information on its interaction with Vitamin C as treatment for cirrhosis of the liver, hypoadrenalism, and to improve insulin production.

Metals in Nutrition - Nickel - Its function on the cellular level, effects of both excessive intake deficiency, good food sources and recommended daily allowance.

Nickel - Overview of nickel's systemic effects, plus symptoms of toxicity and deficiency.

Nickel - The trace elements' effect on the cellular level together with diet recommendations, good food sources and information on deficiency and toxicity.