LEAD POISONING

About Lead Poisoning

All information on this section taken from ‘Trace Elements, Hair Analysis and Nutrition’ by Richard A Passwater PhD and Elmer M Cranton MD.  See book choice below.

Lead is considered the worst pollutant element because it is so widespread in our environment.  Analysis of annual layers of polar ice has shown that airborne lead levels have increased 20-fold in the past 3000 years.  Sediment dredged from the bottom of lakes in the United States contains twenty times more lead than it did a century ago.  The typical person today has more lead in his or her body than is compatible with health.  More than 400,000 tons of industrial lead now pour into the atmosphere every year.  As it settles back to earth, it covers the surface of all exposed soils, plants and window sills.  Slowly, but insidiously, it works its way into the body – and the brain – of modern man.  Once it works its way into the brain, lead clings tenaciously to nerve cells, where it disrupts the communication link between them.

Early signs of lead poisoning are usually missed because the complaints are vague or associated with other problems.  The early symptoms include headaches, fatigue, muscle pains, indigestion, tremors, constipation, vomiting, anaemia, pallor, vertigo and poor coordination.  Low-level lead poisoning decreases intelligence, impairs one’s ability to pay attention, and affects language function and memory.  It can trigger mental problems such as hyperactivity, retardation and senility.  Lead pollution has been linked to increased numbers of stillbirths and cancer.  The action of lead in the body seems to be to interfere with certain enzymes.

Twenty to twenty-five percent of American men and 10 percent of American women suffer to some extent from lead poisoning.  Hair analysis and other screening techniques indicate that 40 percent and more of all children in large cities in America have health problems due to lead poisoning.  Children are particularly sensitive to lead as they absorb 30-50 percent of that ingested, whereas adults absorb only 5-10 percent.

Blood is not a good indicator of lead poisoning because lead quickly departs from the bloodstream and enters the skeletal tissues and hair.  Hidden in the skeletal tissues, lead interferes with red blood cell production.  A good technique for screening for lead is hair analysis.

For a full list of sources of lead see the book mentioned below.

Nutrition Facts & Diet Advice for Lead Poisoning

Consider the following nutrition guidelines:

• Eat a diet high in fibre from vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils.

• Eat sulphur containing foods such as onion, garlic and eggs.

• Eat plenty of apples for their pectin content.

• Eat Klamath Lake Blue-Green Algae which detoxifies heavy metals.

• Avoid food tins with lead solder seams.

• Make sure children wash their hands before they eat.

• Don’t drink water straight from the tap.  Let the tap run for at least five minutes first thing in the morning, or better still use distilled, filtered or bottled water.

• If you drink wine, always wipe the mouth of the bottle well (inside and out) with a damp cloth before pouring the wine.

If you suspect heavy metal toxicity, it’s very straightforward and inexpensive to have a hair mineral analysis carried out.  Most nutrition consultants will be able to arrange this for you.

Health Supplements for lead Poisoning

Often, a combination of supplements may help in alleviating this condition. You may wish to consult a nutritional therapist for personal advice. Supplements that may be helpful in alleviating symptoms are shown below: