The association between blood cadmium level, frequency and amount of gejang (marinated crab) intake

Abstract

BackgroundGejang (marinated crab) is a favorite traditional food and a main source of crab intake among Koreans. The present study aimed to identify the possibility of cadmium inflow to the body through gejang; accordingly, the relationship between gejang intake frequency and amount, and blood cadmium concentrations was investigated.MethodsUsing data from the first Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the sixth period in 2013, means and standard errors of blood cadmium concentrations in relation to gejang intake frequency and amount, as well as the monthly intake of gejang, were obtained from 1381 participants for whom data regarding blood cadmium concentration measurements was available.ResultsAfter adjustment for confounding factors, a gejang intake frequency of four or fewer times per week and a monthly intake of 200 cm3 or less had no significant effect on blood cadmium concentrations. However, participants with gejang intake of at least five times per week had a weighted mean cadmium concentration of 2.12 μg/L (p < 0.001), and participants who had a gejang monthly intake of more than 200 cm3 had a weighted mean cadmium concentration of 1.76 μg/L (p < 0.001).ConclusionThese results suggest that to minimize the effect of gejang consumption on blood cadmium level, gejang intake should be limited to four or less times per week and 200 cm3 or less per month. Weekly intake of at least five times and monthly intake of more than 200 cm3 may increase blood cadmium levels.

Relationship between crustacean consumption and serum perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) cycle 4

“… 49 In previous study, the correlation between crustacean intestine consumption and blood cadmium level was already shown. 15 For humans, PFAS exposure increases as the consumption of flesh and intestines of crustaceans increases.…”

“…South Korea’s seafood consumption is one of the highest in Asia, and like ganjang-gejang (soy sauce marinated crab), there is a recipe for eating the intestines of crustaceans. 15 16 So far, few large-scale studies in South Korea have investigated the association between crustacean consumption and serum PFAS. Thus, this study aimed to determine the association between crustacean consumption and serum concentrations of PFASs in the Korean population using the 4th cycle data (2018–2020) of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS).…”

Regular crabmeat consumers do not show increased urinary cadmium or beta-2-microglobulin levels compared to non-crabmeat consumers

“…Very few studies on the effect of crabmeat consumption on Cd burden in humans exist. One Korean study on intake levels of marinated brown crabmeat also found that consumers who ate crabmeat more than five times/week had significantly increased blood Cd levels compared to those consuming lower amounts [39]. However, it did not investigate whether urinary Cd or markers of kidney toxicity were also affected.…”

A Systematic Review on Metal Dynamics and Marine Toxicity Risk Assessment Using Crustaceans as Bioindicators

“…Furthermore, the absorption of high amounts of this metal causes may cause nausea, vomiting, stomachache, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. After long-term ingestion, several conditions may occur, such as reabsorption disorders in the renal proximal tubules, excretion of low molecular weight proteins, aminoaciduria, dextrosuria, phosphaturia, and glomerular damage in severe cases [128]. Kidney damage may result in uremia or even death due to renal tubular injury [47].…”