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Muscle
and joint pain, headaches, memory and concentration problems,
nerve and digestive disorders, slowed growth ‹ these are just
a few of the potential consequences of lead poisoning. Lead
poisoning is caused by exposure to lead from our environment
-- in old water pipes, old painted toys or furniture, or foods/liquids
stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery. And if you
live in a house built before 1978, the paint on your walls
probably contains lead.
Increasing evidence suggests that nutritional deficiencies
also affect levels of lead in the human body (See łGet the
Lead out with Vitamins˛ in the September 1999 To Your Health).
 A recent study published by the Journal of the American
Medical Association found that subjects with high levels
of vitamin C intake had less measureable lead in their bloodstream
than subjects with low levels of vitamin C intake. Specifically,
the data showed that:
- Children with the higher vitamin C intake were 89% less
likely to have elevated blood lead levels compared with
youths with the lowest intake; and
- Adults with the highest vitamin C intake were 65-68%
less likely to have elevated blood lead levels compared
with adults with the lowest intake.
If you think lead poisoning isnąt a problem anymore, think
again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
has developed screening programs to identify childhood blood
lead levels; among adults, work-related lead exposure has
been targeted as an area of concern by the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration. Your doctor can tell you more about
the dangers of lead poisoning and what you can do to limit
your exposure.
Reference:
Simon JA, Hudes ES. Relationship of ascorbic acid to blood
lead levels. Journal of the American Medical Association,
June 23/30, 1999: Vol. 281, No. 24, pp2289-2293
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