Nickel

What is nickel?

Nickel is a mineral found in the human body, but its function and whether it is essential to human heath or life is not yet known ^[4].

Nickel Deficiency and Toxicity

Nickel deficiency or toxicity from dietary reasons are not known ^[1]. The estimated Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for nickel for adults is 1 mg/day ^[2].

Picture 1. Examples of foods high in nickel

Foods High in Nickel and Nickel Allergy

Individuals allergic to nickel can reduce the possibility of allergic dermatitis by avoiding foods high in nickel ^[2,3]:

• Foods high in nickel (>0,5 mg/kg food) include mussels, nuts, seeds, beans, peas, soy flour, oatmeal, wheat bran, buckwheat, millet, dark chocolate, cocoa powder, liquorice.
• Moderate amounts of nickel (0,1-0,5 mg/kg food) are in oysters, milk chocolate, rice, rye, barley, kale, parsnips, garlic, raspberries.

Other foods that may trigger nickel allergy: margarine, acidic foods, such as stewed fruits or rhubarb, cooked in stainless steel utensils, tea from drink dispensers, beer, red wine, herring, mackerel, tuna, tomato, onion, carrots, apples, citrus fruits, dates, figs, pineapples, prunes.

Nickel Supplements

Nickel supplements containing nickel alone or nickel, zinc and cobalt, that “speed up chemical reactions in the body” or “are good for bones” can be found on the market, but there seems to be no serious studies that would prove their effectiveness.