Lead
Lead toxicity may have contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire. Lead consumption leached from water pipes is thought to have made for some very crazy behavior. To defeat the Goths and Huns, the Romans really needed to get the lead out.
Lead is still a major concern today, especially for children. Exposure to lead is common from old paints, contaminated water and foods, as well as from cosmetics, pottery, soldered cans, and gasoline. Fortunately, for your health and the health of your children, exposure from paint, gas, and kitchenware has lessened with changing legislation banning leaded fuels and paints over the last 20 years.
Key uses of lead:
- Because lead gets into the nervoussystem and brain, it can cause learning and behavioral problems in children as well as adults, affecting attention span, memory, hyperactivity, and general learning capacity. Lead toxicity can also cause muscle pains, poor appetite, headaches, anemia, and problems with appetite and digestion. It also acts as an immunosuppressant.
- Treatment of lead toxicity requires EDTA chelation therapy or other chelating agents. See your doctor for an assessment of your metal toxicity and to discuss chelation therapy.
How to avoid cadmium toxicity: Prevention involves avoiding exposure and maintaining adequate calcium and zinc levels. A high-calcium diet can reduce lead absorption, and increased vitamin C intake may enhance lead elimination. You can gain some protection with adequate intake of calcium, iron, zinc, copper, and vitamin C. These nutrients prevent lead from getting into the body. ,
