SPECIAL ARTICLE

Observations made in the last 15 years by the author and others concerning the effect of trace metals, particularly cadmium and chromium, on animals and man are reviewed with special reference to hypertension and atherosclerosis. These trace metals come from the soil or sea. Among the topics covered are cadmium hypertension in rats, diabetes mellitus and chromium deficiency, deficiency sources, and possible losses of chromium, and the influence of drinking water on death rates from atherosclerosis. The conclusions are that one common form of hypertension is probably an example of accumulation of cadmium in the kidney and that deficiency of chromium may influence glucose and lipid metabolism and affect atherosclerosis. Other trace elements may contribute also.