Why is bromine dangerous in the human body?

Chemical element - Bromine

The chemical element Bromine is included in the periodic table of Mendeleev. It has a pronounced unpleasant aroma and weighs 6 times more than air. In nature, it is found in salt lakes, sea water, and underground wells. The substance is represented by sodium, magnesium and potassium bromide.

It accumulates in the body, reaching a concentration of 200-300 mg. Part of the element is concentrated in the kidneys, thyroid gland and pituitary gland, bone and muscle tissue, as well as in the blood. Every day, some percentage of bromine is excreted in sweat and urine.

Most of the microelement comes with food. It is possible to increase the dosage of the component when working in industries related to the production of bromine, as well as when being near natural sources.

Factors influencing bromine content in products

Seaweed 250 mcg Shrimp 230 mcg Cod 230 mcg Wheat 80 mcg Walnuts 65 mcg Beans 40 mcg

The maximum dosages of bromine are present in seafood. Algae, shrimp, and fish are its main sources.

Among “land” products, bromine is present in cereals, bread, nuts, and legumes.

A pattern has been observed in all plants: the least bromine is found in the roots, the most in the leaves. There is relatively a lot of it in mushrooms. It is also found in milk, meat, and offal, but there is usually little of it there.

Bromine remains in food products no matter how they are cooked.

The body receives most of the bromine from food. In bound form, being part of salts or organic acids, it is low toxic. Bromine is contained in legumes, especially beans, peas and lentils, nuts, and grains. It is plant products that are considered its main sources. Contained in both seafood and sea fish.

One of the main sources of bromine for humans is food. Among them it is worth highlighting:

• Various varieties of nuts.
• Legumes.
• Pasta and flour products from durum wheat.
• Milk products.
• Kelp.
• Crushed barley.
• Whole wheat grains.
• Sea fish.

Sources of microelements. In nature, this substance is common in sea waters and salt lakes and in part of chlorine-containing substances. This microelement is abundant in:

• Beans;
• Peas;
• Lentils; protects from intense activity

lentils beans

In addition, in 100 gr. Product, mcg

Seaweed 250 Shrimp 230 Cod 230 Wheat 80 Barley 70 Peas 40 Beans 40 Lentils 40 Walnuts 60 Peanuts 60 Almonds 60 Hazelnuts 60

Significant sources of this substance include a number of bromine-containing medicinal drugs.

The role of bromine in the human body

In combination with other chemical elements and vitamins, the main role of bromine is to be responsible for maintaining the following processes and the functioning of organs in the human body:

• stimulates the adrenal glands;
• necessary for the production of the digestive enzyme produced by the stomach - pepsin;
• activates lipase and amylase;
• supports the health of the thyroid gland, necessary for protection against endemic goiter;
• enhances sperm production and increases their motility;
• corrects excitation and inhibition of the nervous system, activity can be traced in the cerebral cortex.

Points such as the effect on spermatogenesis on the nervous system deserve special attention.

The effect of bromine on the male body

In sufficient quantities, bromine affects the support of male libido (body). Moreover, bromine preparations require large dosages and are used for completely different purposes than suppressing the potency of men in the army or government and medical structures.

Where is the story from?

There is an opinion that it was military doctors who started the rumor among the people. According to some reports, their civilian colleagues in the USSR widely used bromine to calm overly violent patients in psychiatric hospitals. And in the military environment, for educational purposes, the drug was used to scare overly active old-timers who did not know what to do with their energy.

According to another version, the Soviet army actually added bromine to soldiers’ food at one time. This happened in the navy back in Khrushchev’s time, and even then only as an experiment. Apparently, it was considered unsuccessful and information about it is still classified.

By the way, the powder was still added to the soldiers’ food, or, to be more precise, to the compote. Only it was not bromine, but vitamin C, which is extremely beneficial for health.

The chemical element bromine belongs to the conditionally essential elements. Until now, it is impossible to say with certainty that the physiological role of bromine has been fully studied. It is known for certain that sodium bromide is involved in the process of pepsin activation and activates the functioning of certain enzymes. In particular, we are talking about lipases and pancreatic amylases, which are involved in the effective digestion of carbohydrates and fats. It is believed that bromine is an essential trace element that has a direct effect on the functioning of the central nervous system.

Particular importance is attached to the use of bromine for men, which acts as a regulator of the sexual cycle. Bromine can be detected in a man’s body in the kidneys, thyroid gland, pituitary gland, muscle, and bone tissue. Bromine is excreted from the human body through urine or sweat. There are a huge number of different myths and stories about the effects of bromine on the male body. However, to date there is no definite scientifically based evidence for these various judgments.

Some time ago it was believed that the use of bromine-containing drugs had an extremely depressing effect on male potency and libido. Based on these data, and absolutely unfounded, unverified judgments, some doctors proposed using this chemical element in the army in safe doses for recruits in order to prevent excessive sexual excitability. There are a large number of different ways, if necessary, to reduce sexual activity, and without the use of bromine. One of the safe, and useful ways to reduce a man’s sexual activity is considered to be increased physical stress on the body. In this case, no bromine is absolutely required for men.

Doctors have noted that almost all drugs containing bromine have a somewhat salty taste and do not have any negative effect on the sexual activity of any individual healthy man. Medicinal preparations containing bromine have a mild hypnotic, sedative effect, regardless of who specifically takes this drug - a man or a woman. It is not recommended to take bromine-containing drugs for people involved in work that requires increased attention, drivers, and installers at heights. In the army, where the main employees are men, the use of products that contain bromine is inappropriate, especially with the modern development of the level of army equipment, which requires high concentration.

A lack of bromine in the human body, this chemical element that has not been fully studied, has certain symptoms. The daily requirement of bromine is approximately 8 milligrams. Lack of bromine is expressed in seizures, slowed growth in children, reduced hemoglobin levels in the blood, and even a reduction in human life expectancy.

Therefore, bromine for men, just like for women, is a necessary element for normal life and the effective functioning of all systems and organs. But some overdose when taking bromine, as well as a deficiency, is extremely undesirable for human health. Symptoms of bromine overdose are skin rashes, memory impairment, frequently recurring bronchitis, rhinitis, neurological pathologies, and serious digestive disorders.

The information on our website is informative and educational in nature. However, this information is in no way intended to be a guide to self-medication. Be sure to consult your doctor.

Bromine is a poisonous chemical element with a very strong, unpleasant odor. However, in small doses this element does not have a negative effect on the body. It is even used in medicine. Sedatives are made from it.

There are rumors that bromine is added to drinks in the army, and the element can also be found in the food given to soldiers. This is supposedly done to suppress sexual desire. Men thus do not think about women and completely focus their attention on serving in the army. Many people worry about this, thinking that this element can lead to negative health consequences, since it is a poison for humans. Some soldiers even doubt that they will be able to have children after serving in the army due to the fact that this poison is added to food and drinks here.

Lack of bromine in the human body

The body of every person can face a lack of bromine, regardless of the region of his residence. But deficiency occurs quite rarely and is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• sleep disturbances up to insomnia;
• growth slows down in childhood;
• hemoglobin levels decrease;
• Unreasonable miscarriages occur in the 1st–2nd trimester.

You can determine the reduction in the concentration of the mineral in the body by passing the appropriate tests.

Symptoms of bromine deficiency

Manifestations of deficiency:

• Increased nervousness;
• Impotence;
• Sleep disturbance;
• Growth retardation in children;
• Decrease in hemoglobin number;
• Increased risk of miscarriages;
• Decrease in life expectancy;
• Low acidity of gastric juice;

cod

Sometimes a deficiency of this microelement is caused by diuretics taken in excessive quantities, since it dissolves perfectly in water and is eliminated along with urine.

Overdose of the human body with bromine

In dosages of 3 g or more, bromine causes poisoning (overdose), and with a single dose of 35 g or more, death can occur. Even if the air contains only 0.001% of the trace element, a person develops dizziness, mucous membranes itch and become irritated, and nosebleeds begin.

Important! An increase in concentration to 0.02% in the air leads to spasms of the bronchi and lungs, and suffocation begins.

If bromine liquid or powder gets on the skin, signs of an allergy appear: itching, dryness, redness. If the substance acts on the epidermis for a long time, ulcers appear that heal slowly.

The effect of bromine on the lymph glands, testes and ovaries is specific: with prolonged exposure to the mineral, they enlarge and become hard, but mainly on the left side. There are practically no bilateral symptoms.

Excess bromine in the human body

If you take bromine orally, then in case of excess, the elements of the nervous system - the brain and spinal cord - are the first to be affected. A person develops severe weakness, drowsiness, and reflex excitability is suppressed.

With prolonged exposure to any form of the substance, the following signs of intoxication occur:

• skin rashes;
• problems with memory and cognitive activity;
• the activity of the thyroid gland decreases;
• rhinitis or bronchitis appears;
• Digestion is disrupted.

Bromism is a disease that develops when a substance is seriously exposed to the body. It is characterized by completely different symptoms:

• anemia and pale skin occur against its background;
• weight loss for no apparent reason;
• persistent apathy begins;
• Libido drops significantly, reproductive problems begin in men and women;
• tremor appears;
• streaks of blood are noticeable in the stool;
• gait and coordination are impaired;
• Nodules and lumps may appear on the skin, and the lymph nodes may increase in size.

If a person works in an industry that involves bromine, if any discomfort occurs, he should consult a doctor.

Bromine deficiency

If there is insufficient amount of bromine in the body, the following symptoms appear:

• Asomnia.
• Stunted growth in childhood and adolescence.
• Decreased hemoglobin levels in the blood.
• Risk of spontaneous abortion during pregnancy.

Only a doctor can accurately determine the cause of an illness associated with bromine deficiency in the body based on the results of laboratory tests. Self-treatment in this case is unacceptable.

Causes of bromine poisoning

There are 2 types of intoxication: acute, which occurs against the background of a single contact with a large dose of a substance, and chronic - bromism. The disease develops with prolonged contact with vapors and bromine salts; all internal organs and the nervous system are affected.

Among the causes of poisoning are:

• Use of drugs based on sodium bromide (especially without medical supervision). Most often occurs during the treatment of neuroses and depression.
• Consumption of foods treated with bromine-based pesticides, as well as contact with these substances.
• Incorrect interaction with bromine in production. When working with the component, you need to wear protective suits and gas masks.

Under normal living conditions, it is almost impossible to get chronic bromine poisoning.

Preparations based on bromide

In medicine, preparations of potassium bromide, ammonium, sodium, as well as bromoform are used. When treating neurological and mental pathologies, up to 3 g of medication per day is prescribed, in rare cases higher dosages are used.

Important! Bromine-based drugs belong to the group of outdated drugs with a very low price and a large number of side effects.

One of the most common preparations based on potassium bromide and spring adonis is Adonis-Bromine .

Interaction of bromine with other substances

To absorb bromine, the following substances are required: iodine, chlorine or fluorine. The component creates unstable connections with them. Thanks to the microelement, the increased concentration of these substances in the body can be reduced. At the same time, bromine does not react in any way with nitrogen and oxygen. When bromine is exposed to metals, bromides are formed.

Bromine is an essential trace element for human health. However, exceeding normal dosages quickly causes poisoning and bromism. One of the main properties of the substance - inhibition of excitation - is still used in medicine to combat neuroses and depression. However, high concentrations of bromine-based drugs have many side effects and undesirable consequences.

What is bromine and how does it affect humans?

Bromine (Br) is located in group 7 of chemical elements on the periodic table. This is a liquid halogen that has a pungent odor and a brown color that varies depending on the lighting from dark red to almost black. It is quite toxic, and poisoning can occur both by inhaling the vapors and by getting it inside or on the skin.

At the same time, the substance is contained in the human body, and its lack leads to health problems, including developmental delays in children, nervous disorders and insomnia in adults, anemia, and spontaneous abortion.

Therefore, it is necessary to comply with the permissible consumption standards for bromine-containing drugs, taking into account the fact that a certain amount of the element is contained in water and food products, such as nuts, legumes, dairy products and sea fish.

The daily requirement of bromine for a healthy person is from 0.8 to 1 gram. Its excess poses a serious health hazard.