Tin: The Cause of the Fall of Rome
Tin (= Stannum) (Sn)
The cause of the fall of the Great Roman Empire.
In the human body more tin accumulates in the enamel of teeth, nails, and bones; it is part of the gastric enzyme gastrin, influences the activity of flavin enzymes, and enhances growth processes.
The daily requirement for the human body is 2–10 mg. A deficiency of tin can develop with insufficient intake of this element (1 mg/day or less).
During the day, an adult can absorb up to 15 mg of tin; 3–10% of this amount is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. In the body, tin is mainly present in the form of fat-soluble salts. In tissues, tin is found in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 4.0 µg/g. The bones contain 0.8 µg/g of tin, while the kidneys, heart, and small intestine contain 0.1 µg/g. In the brains of newborns, tin is not detected.
Tin is excreted from the body through bile and urine.
Biological role in the human body. The biological role of tin in the body is not fully understood. Tin is part of the gastric enzyme gastrin, influences the activity of flavin enzymes, and can enhance growth processes.
Signs of tin deficiency: experiments on animals have shown that a deficiency of tin is accompanied by slowed growth and weight gain, disruption of the mineral composition of internal organs, and hearing impairment in the test animals.
A diet deficient in tin in laboratory animals also causes alopecia. However, these data on the role of tin deficiency require confirmation.
A diet deficient in tin in laboratory animals also causes alopecia. However, these data on the role of tin deficiency require confirmation.
With excessive intake, tin accumulates in the liver, kidneys, skeleton, and muscles.
Organic compounds of tin, when introduced into the gastrointestinal tract, exhibit a pronounced cumulative effect with subsequent development of chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells.
Organic compounds of tin, when introduced into the gastrointestinal tract, exhibit a pronounced cumulative effect with subsequent development of chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells.
Excess tin causes disruption of certain brain functions, with children and city dwellers who do not have the opportunity to go to the countryside or live near highways being affected more than others.
Main manifestations of excess tin: persistent headaches, vision disturbances; skin irritation; stanoz (changes in the lungs), decreased appetite, metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, abdominal pain, intestinal pain, diarrhea, liver enlargement, increased levels of transaminases in the blood, hyperglycemia, and decreased levels of zinc and copper in the body.
According to the analysis of bones from ancient Native Americans, aged 1600 years, and their comparison with the bones of Americans and Englishmen who died in recent years, it was found that the bones of our contemporaries contain 700–1200 times more tin than the bones of ancient inhabitants of the Earth.
American medical historian Sibery J. Gilfillan hypothesized that Rome fell due to excess tin. It is known that in Ancient Rome, instead of water, wine sweetened with concentrated grape juice was usually consumed. This product was prepared in tin cauldrons. Grapes themselves contain small amounts of tin, not to mention the tin that leached into the wine from the cauldron walls. The excessive concentration of tin proved detrimental to the health of the Romans, who, instead of waging war and defending their walls, were only concerned with gastrointestinal problems.
Meanwhile, the habit of sweetening wine spread to other European countries, where monks often made wine in similar vessels. Therefore, in the Middle Ages, one of the most common diseases among monks, who loved to sip wine, was the so-called “intestinal colic”, as well as visual and mental disorders. It was only in the 7th century that it was discovered that the cause was tin.
Tin is necessary: in epilepsy and certain neuroses, in cases of tapeworms.
Dietary sources of tin: fats, fatty fish (contains up to 130 µg/g of tin), sunflower seeds, peas, beets, potatoes.
The highest amounts of tin are found in the muscles of codfish and the tongue of cattle.
In milk and fresh vegetables, the concentration of tin is low and usually reaches 1 µg/g or less.
The highest amounts of tin are found in the muscles of codfish and the tongue of cattle.
In milk and fresh vegetables, the concentration of tin is low and usually reaches 1 µg/g or less.
Tin may be present in canned goods and packaging foil.