(Symbol Al)-A light-weight metal found in minerals such as bauxite and clay. Aluminum has no place in human nutrition. There even seems to be a relationship between the use and accumulation of aluminum in the human and the dementia known as Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Aluminum is used for cooking vessels, utensils, in dentistry as bases for dentures, prosthetics (artificial limbs), and for many other industrial purposes. In cooking vessels, there seems to be a low theoretical risk of aluminum contamination of food because aluminum has a low solubility in water. In other words, when you are boiling water in an aluminum pot, very few aluminum atoms break away from the pot and into the water. However, the factors may change when it comes to aluminum cans and what they hold. Beverages containing acids may cause more aluminum to dissolve in solution. This obviously puts more aluminum into the diet.

Aluminum is the third most abundant mineral in the earth's crust, so it finds its way into many many minerals, soils, etc., and thus into plants through their roots. The amount of aluminum in consumable plants varies and we are currently carrying out tests in different types of soils. Aluminum is also used in antacids, such as aluminum hydroxide. If you have any sentiments about aluminum, you can always switch to non-aluminum household goods. For example, as an antacid, you can use magnesium hydroxide in the place of aluminum hydroxide. Cooking vessels which are made out of other metals can be used. Canned goods can be substituted with frozen goods, which last long periods of time as well and bottled foods, which can also have a long shelf life.

RDA of Aluminum

Aluminum is not required for human metabolism and therefore, there is no RDA. Keep in mind, that aluminum consumption can be harmful.

Toxicity of Aluminum

Excess amounts of aluminum in the human have various toxic effects. In the gastrointestinal tract, aluminum inhibits the absorption of calcium, phosphates, iron, and other minterals. Aluminum dust can lead to pulonary inflammation and fibrosis.