nutritionfactsorg--2020-09-01--Why You Don’t Want “Normal” Blood Lead Levels

“ By the 1950s , lead—a dangerous neurotoxin that was once buried deep in the ground , far away from humans—had polluted the entire planet.
” We have leaded gasoline to thank for this .
It ’ s hard to imagine “ a better strategy for maximizing population exposure to a poison than to have it emitted by a ubiquitous mobile source and to line the surfaces of dwellings ” and our neighborhoods with it .
“ Overall , about 5 million metric tons of lead was deposited in the environment as a result of the combustion of leaded gasoline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulated .
A single busy street could receive more than a metric ton a year , and the lead just built up , decade after decade .
Finally , thanks to regulations starting in the 1970s , we stopped spewing so much into the air .
As you can see at 0:57 in my video “ Normal ” Blood Lead Levels Can Be Toxic , as lead use dropped , so did the levels of lead in our blood , resulting in a 98 percent reduction in the percentage of young children with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the term “ elevated ” is relative .
“ Prior to 1970 , lead poisoning was defined by a blood lead concentration of 60 mg/dL or higher ” but “ since then , the blood lead concentration for defining lead toxicity gradually has been reduced ” to 40 mg/dL , then 30 mg/dL , then 25 mg/dL , and then further down to 10mg/dL , as lead levels “ previously thought to be safe or inconsequential for children have consistently been shown to be risk factors ” for cognitive and behavioral problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level is considered to be more than 5 mg/dL .
So , under 5 mg/dL , your lead level is considered to be non-elevated or normal .
But what does having a “ normal ” lead level mean ?
“ Virtually all residents of industrialized countries have bone lead stores that are several orders of magnitude greater than those of our preindustrial ancestors.
” If you go to a museum and test the lead levels of ancient skeletons buried a millennium ago , they are a thousand times lower compared to people today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within most Americans of dysfunctions caused by poisoning from chronic , excessive overexposures to industrial Pb lead.
” You can see a graphical representation of “ body burdens of lead ” in a preindustrial ancestor , a typical American citizen , and a person with overtly symptomatic lead poisoning , where he might be doubled over in pain , at 2:30 in my video .
What the medical and research communities had failed to understand is that they had only concerned themselves with people with actual lead poisoning and those at “ typical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new value for natural lead levels in [ preindustrial ] humans shows that typical levels of lead in humans are quite definitely not properly described by the term ‘ very low levels ’ at all , but instead constitute grossly excessive , 1000-fold over-exposure levels.
” The bottom line ?
“ No level of lead exposure appears to be ‘ safe ’ and even the current ‘ low ’ levels of exposure in children are associated with neurodevelopmental deficits , ” including reduced IQ .
It could have been a lot worse if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas .
Thanks to falling blood lead levels starting in the 1970s , preschoolers born in the 1990s were two to five IQ points higher than kids like me born before 1976 .
So , when we see our kids and grandkids being such wizzes at technology that it ’ s hard to keep up with them , a small part of that may be them not suffering as much lead-induced brain damage as we did .
And , what that means for the country is potentially hundreds of billions of dollars of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain-damaged .
If that seems like a lot for just a few IQ points , as you can see at 4:26 in my video , what you have to realize is that even a small shift in average IQ could result in a 50 percent increase in the number of the “ mentally retarded , ” millions more in need of special education and services .
So , “ removal of lead from gasoline in the United States has been described as one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Indeed , “ tremendous pressure by the lead industry itself was brought to bear to quiet , even intimidate , researchers and clinicians who reported on or identified lead as a hazard.
” Decent “ scientists and health officials faced enormous opposition but never lost sight of the mandate to protect public health.
” Two of the “ young , idealistic employees ” at the newly formed Environmental Protection Agency , who played key roles in the fight , recount how “ naïve [ they were ] to the ways of Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used against us .
Our inexperience was cited as a reason for rejecting the lead regulatory proposals….Finally , in retrospect , our youth and inexperience also helped us to succeed in taking on a billion dollar industry .
We were too young to know , that regulating lead in gasoline was impossible.
” What about lead exposure after childhood ?
That ’ s the topic of my video The Effects of Low-Level Lead Exposure in Adults .
What can we do about lead exposure ?
See : • How to Lower Lead Levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iron , Fat , Fasting ?
• How to Lower Lead Levels with Diet : Breakfast , Whole Grains , Milk , Tofu ?
• Can Vitamin C Help with Lead Poisoning ?
• How to Lower Heavy Metal Levels with Diet .
If you missed the first three videos in this series , check out : • How the Lead Paint Industry Got Away with It • How the Leaded Gas Industry Got Away with It For the effects of mercury , another heavy metal , see : • How Long to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pollutants in Salmon & Our Own Fat PS : If you haven ’ t yet , you can subscribe to my free videos here and watch my live presentations : • 2016 : How Not To Die : The Role of Diet in Preventing , Arresting , and Reversing Our Top 15 Killers • 2015 : Food as Medicine : Preventing and Treating the Most Dreaded Diseases with Diet • 2014 : From Table to Able : Combating Disabling Diseases with Food • 2013 : More Than an Apple a Day • 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @

“By the 1950s, lead—a dangerous neurotoxin that was once buried deep in the ground, far away from humans—had polluted the entire planet.” We have leaded gasoline to thank for this. It’s hard to imagine “a better strategy for maximizing population exposure to a poison than to have it emitted by a ubiquitous mobile source and to line the surfaces of dwellings” and our neighborhoods with it.
“Overall, about 5 million metric tons of lead was deposited in the environment as a result of the combustion of leaded gasoline” by our automobiles before it was regulated. A single busy street could receive more than a metric ton a year, and the lead just built up, decade after decade. Finally, thanks to regulations starting in the 1970s, we stopped spewing so much into the air. As you can see at 0:57 in my video “Normal” Blood Lead Levels Can Be Toxic, as lead use dropped, so did the levels of lead in our blood, resulting in a 98 percent reduction in the percentage of young children with elevated blood lead levels. Of course, the term “elevated” is relative.
“Prior to 1970, lead poisoning was defined by a blood lead concentration of 60 mg/dL or higher” but “since then, the blood lead concentration for defining lead toxicity gradually has been reduced” to 40 mg/dL, then 30 mg/dL, then 25 mg/dL, and then further down to 10mg/dL, as lead levels “previously thought to be safe or inconsequential for children have consistently been shown to be risk factors” for cognitive and behavioral problems.
Currently, an elevated blood lead level is considered to be more than 5 mg/dL. So, under 5 mg/dL, your lead level is considered to be non-elevated or normal. But what does having a “normal” lead level mean?
“Virtually all residents of industrialized countries have bone lead stores that are several orders of magnitude greater than those of our preindustrial ancestors.” If you go to a museum and test the lead levels of ancient skeletons buried a millennium ago, they are a thousand times lower compared to people today, “which indicates the probable existence within most Americans of dysfunctions caused by poisoning from chronic, excessive overexposures to industrial Pb lead.”
You can see a graphical representation of “body burdens of lead” in a preindustrial ancestor, a typical American citizen, and a person with overtly symptomatic lead poisoning, where he might be doubled over in pain, at 2:30 in my video. What the medical and research communities had failed to understand is that they had only concerned themselves with people with actual lead poisoning and those at “typical” lead levels, but “the new value for natural lead levels in [preindustrial] humans shows that typical levels of lead in humans are quite definitely not properly described by the term ‘very low levels’ at all, but instead constitute grossly excessive, 1000-fold over-exposure levels.”
The bottom line? “No level of lead exposure appears to be ‘safe’ and even the current ‘low’ levels of exposure in children are associated with neurodevelopmental deficits,” including reduced IQ. It could have been a lot worse if we hadn’t started restricting leaded gas. Thanks to falling blood lead levels starting in the 1970s, preschoolers born in the 1990s were two to five IQ points higher than kids like me born before 1976. So, when we see our kids and grandkids being such wizzes at technology that it’s hard to keep up with them, a small part of that may be them not suffering as much lead-induced brain damage as we did. And, what that means for the country is potentially hundreds of billions of dollars of improved productivity because our children are less brain-damaged.
If that seems like a lot for just a few IQ points, as you can see at 4:26 in my video, what you have to realize is that even a small shift in average IQ could result in a 50 percent increase in the number of the “mentally retarded,” millions more in need of special education and services.
So, “removal of lead from gasoline in the United States has been described as one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century, but it almost did not happen.” Indeed, “tremendous pressure by the lead industry itself was brought to bear to quiet, even intimidate, researchers and clinicians who reported on or identified lead as a hazard.” Decent “scientists and health officials faced enormous opposition but never lost sight of the mandate to protect public health.”
Two of the “young, idealistic employees” at the newly formed Environmental Protection Agency, who played key roles in the fight, recount how “naïve [they were] to the ways of Washington”:
“Our youth was also used against us. Our inexperience was cited as a reason for rejecting the lead regulatory proposals….Finally, in retrospect, our youth and inexperience also helped us to succeed in taking on a billion dollar industry. We were too young to know, that regulating lead in gasoline was impossible.”
What about lead exposure after childhood? That’s the topic of my video The Effects of Low-Level Lead Exposure in Adults.
What can we do about lead exposure? See:
If you missed the first three videos in this series, check out:
For the effects of mercury, another heavy metal, see:
In health,
Michael Greger, M.D.
PS: If you haven’t yet, you can subscribe to my free videos here and watch my live presentations:


nutritionfactsorg--2020-09-03--Adult Exposure to Lead

Adult Exposure to Lead

“ Children in approximately 4 million households in the United States are being exposed to high levels of lead.
” As I discuss in my video The Effects of Low-Level Lead Exposure in Adults , “ Despite the dramatic decline in children ’ s blood-lead concentrations over the decades , lead toxicity remains a major public health problem ” —and not just for children .
Yes , lead is “ a devastating neurotoxin , ” with learning disabilities and attention deficits in children beginning around blood lead levels of 10 mg/dL , which is when you start seeing high blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as you can see at 0:41 in my video .
But , the blood levels in American adults these days are down around 1 mg/dL , not 10 mg/dL , unless you work or play in an indoor firing range , where the lead levels in the air are so high that more than half of recreational target shooters have levels over 10 mg/dL or even 25 mg/dL .
In fact , even open-air outdoor ranges can be a problem .
Spending just two days a month at such a range may quadruple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the danger zone .
What if you don ’ t use firearms yourself but live in a house with someone who does ?
The lead levels can be so high that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises those who go to shooting ranges to take “ measures to prevent take-home exposure including showering and changing into clean clothes after shooting… , storing clean clothes in a separate bin from contaminated clothing , laundering of non disposable outer protective clothing…and leaving at the range shoes worn inside the firing range , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ none of that applies and your blood levels are under 10 mg/dL , there is still some evidence of increased risk of hand tremors , high blood pressure , kidney damage , and other issues , as you can see at 1:44 in my video .
But what if you ’ re down around a blood lead level of 1 mg/dL , like most people ?
“ Blood lead levels in the range currently considered acceptable are associated with increased prevalence of gout , ” a painful arthritis .
In fact , researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approximately 1.2 mg/dL , which is close to the current American average , can be associated with increased prevalence of gout .
So , this means that “ very low levels of lead may still be associated with health risks , ” suggesting “ there is no such thing as a ‘ safe ’ level of exposure to lead.
” Where is the lead even coming from ?
Lead only circulates in the body for about a month , so if you have lead in your bloodstream , it ’ s from some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t eat peeling paint chips , though , and autos aren ’ t fueled by leaded gas anymore .
There are specific foods , supplements , and cosmetics that are contaminated with lead ( and I have videos on all those topics ) , but for most adults , the source of ongoing lead exposure is from our own skeleton .
I just mentioned that lead only circulates in the body for about a month .
Well , where does it go after that ?
It can get deposited in our bones .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ total body lead content resides in the bone , where the half-life is decades long , ” not just a month .
So , half or more of the lead in our blood represents lead from past exposures just now leaching out of our bones back into our bloodstream , and this “ gradual release of lead from the bone serves as a persistent source of toxicity long after cessation of external exposure , ” that is , long after leaded gasoline was removed from the pumps for those of us that who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , the answer to where the lead comes from is like Pogo ’ s We ’ ve met the enemy and he is us or that classic horror movie scene where the call is coming from inside the house .
The amount of lead in our bones can actually be measured , and research shows higher levels are associated with some of our leading causes of death and disability , from tooth decay and miscarriages to cognitive decline and cataracts .
“ Much of the lead found in adults today was deposited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 1970s were too late ” for many of us , but at least things are going in the right direction now .
The “ dramatic societal decreases ” in blood lead in the United States since the 1970s have been associated with a four- to five-point increase in the average IQs of American adults .
Given that , a “ particularly provocative question is whether the whole country suffered brain damage prior to the 1980 decreases in blood lead .
Was ‘ the best generation ’ really the brain damaged generation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sucker for science documentaries , and my favorite episode of Cosmos : A Spacetime Odyssey was The Clean Room , which dealt with this very issue .
Trivia : Carl Sagan was my next-door neighbor when I was at Cornell !
If you want to find out How the Leaded Gas Industry Got Away with It , check out that video .
How the Lead Paint Industry Got Away with It is similarly scandalous .
Lead in Drinking Water offers the modern-day tale of what happened in Flint , Michigan , and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Toxic explores the impacts on childhood development .
I close out this extended video series on lead with information on what we can do about it : • How to Lower Lead Levels with Diet : Thiamine , Fiber , Iron , Fat , Fasting ?
• How to Lower Lead Levels with Diet : Breakfast , Whole Grains , Milk , Tofu ?
• Can Vitamin C Help with Lead Poisoning ?
Interested in learning more about lead being absorbed and released in our bones , and how calcium supplements may affect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blood Lead Levels at Pregnancy and Menopause and Should Pregnant Women Take Calcium Supplements to Lower Lead Levels ?
.
PS : If you haven ’ t yet , you can subscribe to my free videos here and watch my live presentations : • 2016 : How Not To Die : The Role of Diet in Preventing , Arresting , and Reversing Our Top 15 Killers • 2015 : Food as Medicine : Preventing and Treating the Most Dreaded Diseases with Diet • 2014 : From Table to Able : Combating Disabling Diseases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Apple a Day • 2012 : Uprooting the Leading Causes of Death

“Children in approximately 4 million households in the United States are being exposed to high levels of lead.” As I discuss in my video The Effects of Low-Level Lead Exposure in Adults, “Despite the dramatic decline in children’s blood-lead concentrations over the decades, lead toxicity remains a major public health problem”—and not just for children. Yes, lead is “a devastating neurotoxin,” with learning disabilities and attention deficits in children beginning around blood lead levels of 10 mg/dL, which is when you start seeing high blood pressure and nerve damage in adults, as you can see at 0:41 in my video. But, the blood levels in American adults these days are down around 1 mg/dL, not 10 mg/dL, unless you work or play in an indoor firing range, where the lead levels in the air are so high that more than half of recreational target shooters have levels over 10 mg/dL or even 25 mg/dL.
In fact, even open-air outdoor ranges can be a problem. Spending just two days a month at such a range may quadruple blood lead levels and push them up into the danger zone. What if you don’t use firearms yourself but live in a house with someone who does? The lead levels can be so high that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises those who go to shooting ranges to take “measures to prevent take-home exposure including showering and changing into clean clothes after shooting…, storing clean clothes in a separate bin from contaminated clothing, laundering of non disposable outer protective clothing…and leaving at the range shoes worn inside the firing range,” among other actions. Even if none of that applies and your blood levels are under 10 mg/dL, there is still some evidence of increased risk of hand tremors, high blood pressure, kidney damage, and other issues, as you can see at 1:44 in my video. But what if you’re down around a blood lead level of 1 mg/dL, like most people?
“Blood lead levels in the range currently considered acceptable are associated with increased prevalence of gout,” a painful arthritis. In fact, researchers found that blood levels as low as approximately 1.2 mg/dL, which is close to the current American average, can be associated with increased prevalence of gout. So, this means that “very low levels of lead may still be associated with health risks,” suggesting “there is no such thing as a ‘safe’ level of exposure to lead.”
Where is the lead even coming from? Lead only circulates in the body for about a month, so if you have lead in your bloodstream, it’s from some ongoing exposure. Most adults don’t eat peeling paint chips, though, and autos aren’t fueled by leaded gas anymore. There are specific foods, supplements, and cosmetics that are contaminated with lead (and I have videos on all those topics), but for most adults, the source of ongoing lead exposure is from our own skeleton. I just mentioned that lead only circulates in the body for about a month. Well, where does it go after that? It can get deposited in our bones. “More than 90% of the total body lead content resides in the bone, where the half-life is decades long,” not just a month. So, half or more of the lead in our blood represents lead from past exposures just now leaching out of our bones back into our bloodstream, and this “gradual release of lead from the bone serves as a persistent source of toxicity long after cessation of external exposure,” that is, long after leaded gasoline was removed from the pumps for those of us that who were around back before the 1980s.
So, the answer to where the lead comes from is like Pogo’s We’ve met the enemy and he is us or that classic horror movie scene where the call is coming from inside the house.
The amount of lead in our bones can actually be measured, and research shows higher levels are associated with some of our leading causes of death and disability, from tooth decay and miscarriages to cognitive decline and cataracts. “Much of the lead found in adults today was deposited decades ago. Thus, regulations enacted in the 1970s were too late” for many of us, but at least things are going in the right direction now. The “dramatic societal decreases” in blood lead in the United States since the 1970s have been associated with a four- to five-point increase in the average IQs of American adults. Given that, a “particularly provocative question is whether the whole country suffered brain damage prior to the 1980 decreases in blood lead. Was ‘the best generation’ really the brain damaged generation?”
I’m such a sucker for science documentaries, and my favorite episode of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey was The Clean Room, which dealt with this very issue. Trivia: Carl Sagan was my next-door neighbor when I was at Cornell!
If you want to find out How the Leaded Gas Industry Got Away with It, check out that video. How the Lead Paint Industry Got Away with It is similarly scandalous. Lead in Drinking Water offers the modern-day tale of what happened in Flint, Michigan, and “Normal” Blood Lead Levels Can Be Toxic explores the impacts on childhood development.
I close out this extended video series on lead with information on what we can do about it:
Interested in learning more about lead being absorbed and released in our bones, and how calcium supplements may affect that process? See The Rise in Blood Lead Levels at Pregnancy and Menopause and Should Pregnant Women Take Calcium Supplements to Lower Lead Levels?.
In health,
Michael Greger, M.D.
PS: If you haven’t yet, you can subscribe to my free videos here and watch my live presentations:


nutritionfactsorg--2020-09-08--Eating to Block Lead Absorption

Eating to Block Lead Absorption

for lead-exposed steel workers—and not just with thiamine , as “ content of dietary fiber , iron , or thiamine intake each correlated inversely with blood lead concentrations in workers… ” The thinking is that the fiber might glom onto the lead and flush it out of the body , the iron would inhibit the lead absorption , and the thiamine may accelerate lead removal through the bile .
So , researchers suggest that eating lots of iron , fiber and especially thiamine-rich foods “ may induce rapid removal and excretion of the lead from the tissues.
” But thiamine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test by giving it to people to see if their lead levels drop .
The closest I could find is a thiamine intervention for lead-intoxicated goats .
with lower lead levels in the body .
For example , women with higher intake of thiamine , also called vitamin B1 , tended to have lower blood lead levels , and the same was And much of the fiber data are just from test tube studies .
In one , for example , researchers used simulated intestinal conditions , complete with “ flasks ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dietary fiber were able to bind up large amounts of mercury , cadmium , and lead to such an extent that they may have been able to block absorption in the small intestine .
But , when our good gut flora then eat the fiber , some of the heavy metals may be re-released down in the colon , so it ’ s not completely fail safe .
And , as with thiamine , there haven ’ t been controlled human studies .
But where is thiamine found ?
At 1:47 in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diet : Thiamine , Fiber , Iron , Fat , Fasting ?
, I feature a list of some of the healthiest sources of thiamine-rich foods that also contain fiber , which include highly concentrated , super healthy foods like beans and greens—foods we should all be eating anyway .
So , even if thiamine- and fiber-rich foods don ’ t actually lower lead levels , we ’ ll still end up healthier .
What happened when iron was put to the test ?
It failed to improve the cognitive performance of lead-exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ADH symptoms , which is no surprise , because it also failed to bring down lead levels , as did zinc supplementation .
It turns out that while iron may limit the absorption of lead , “ it may also inhibit excretion of previously absorbed lead ” that ’ s already in your body .
What ’ s more , iron may not even inhibit lead absorption in the first place .
That was based on rodent studies , and it turns out we ’ re not rodents .
We get the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped to protect rat testicles , but didn ’ t seem to help human children .
“ Nevertheless , iron is routinely prescribed in children with lead poisoning.
” But , “ given the lack of scientific evidence supporting the use of iron [ supplementation ] in…children with lead poisoning , its routine use should be re-examined.
” Though , obviously , supplementation may help if you have an iron deficiency .
High fat intake has been identified as a nutritional condition that makes things worse for lead-exposed children .
In fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead levels in cross-sectional , snapshot-in-time type studies , and there is a plausible biological mechanism : Dietary fat may boost lead absorption by stimulating extra bile , which in turn may contribute to lead absorption , but you really don ’ t know until you put it to the test .
In addition to testing iron , researchers also tested fat .
They gave a group of intrepid volunteers a cocktail of radioactive lead and then , with a Geiger counter , measured how much radiation the subjects retained in their bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zinc didn ’ t change anything , but adding about two teaspoons of vegetable oil boosted lead absorption into the body from about 60 percent up to around 75 percent , as you can see at 4:17 in my video .
The only thing that seemed to help , dropping lead absorption down to about 40 percent , was eating a light meal with the lead drink .
What was the meal ?
Coffee and a donut .
I think this is the first donut intervention I ’ ve ever seen with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coffee ?
Unlikely , because if anything , coffee drinking has been associated with a tiny increase in blood lead levels .
If fat makes things worse , and the one sugar they tried didn ’ t help , the researchers figured that what made the difference was just eating food—any food—and not taking in lead on an empty stomach .
And , indeed , if you repeat the study with a whole meal , lead absorption doesn ’ t just drop from 60 percent to 40 percent—it drops all the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s extraordinary .
That means it ’ s 15 times worse to ingest lead on an empty stomach .
Lead given 12 hours before a meal was absorbed at about 60 percent , so most of it was absorbed .
When the same amount of lead was given three hours after a meal and also seven hours after a meal , most of it was absorbed at those times , too .
But , if you get some food in your stomach within a few hours of lead exposure , you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the lead you ingested , which you can see at 0:11 in my video How to Lower Lead Levels with Diet : Breakfast , Whole Grains , Milk , Tofu ?
.
This is why it ’ s critical to get the lead out of our tap water .
Although it ’ s estimated that most of our lead exposure comes from food , rather than water , it ’ s not what we eat that matters , but what we absorb .
If 90 percent of the lead in food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that it ’ s in food , 10 to 20 times more lead could be absorbed into your bloodstream simply by consuming the same amount of lead in water drank on an empty stomach .
And , since children empty their stomachs faster than adults because kids “ have more rapid gastric emptying times , ” the timing of meals may be even more important .
With little tummies emptying in as few as two hours after a meal , offering midmorning and midafternoon snacks in addition to breakfast and regular meals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a contaminated environment .
And , of course , we should ensure that children wash their hands prior to eating .
So , do preschoolers who eat breakfast have lower levels of lead in their blood ?
In the first study of its kind , researchers found that , indeed , children who ate breakfast regularly did appear to have lower lead levels , supporting recommendations to provide regular meals and snacks to young children at risk for lead exposure .
Is there anything in food that ’ s particularly protective ?
Researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , and it turns out the “ effect of a meal was probably largely due to its content of calcium and phosphate salts but lead uptake was probably further reduced by phytate which is plentiful in whole cereals , ” but if calcium and phosphates are protective , you ’ d think dairy would work wonders .
And , indeed , they started giving milk “ to workers to prevent lead exposure ” ever since calcium was shown to inhibit lead absorption in rats .
But , in humans , there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase lead uptake , and it wasn ’ t the fat because they found the same problem with skim milk .
“ For over a century milk was recommended unreservedly to counteract lead poisoning in industry , ” but this practice was abandoned in the middle of the last century once we learned that milk ’ s “ overall effect is to promote the absorption of lead from the intestinal tract.
” What ’ s the agent in milk that promotes the absorption of lead from the gut ?
It may be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ mechanism by which lactose enhances lead absorption is not clear.
” The bottom line ?
“ In the past…milk was used as a prophylactic agent to protect workers in the lead industry .
Recent studies , however , suggest that this practice is unjustified and may even be harmful.
” So , giving people whole grains may offer greater protection against lead uptake .
However , the most potently calcium and phytate-rich food would be tofu .
Isolated soy phytonutrients may have a neuroprotective effect , at least this was the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can see at 3:45 in my video , if you add a little lead to nerve cells , you can kill off about 40 percent of them , but if you then give more and more soy phytonutrients , you can ameliorate some of the damage .
This is thought to be an antioxidant effect .
If you add lead to nerve cells , you can get a big burst of free radicals , but less and less as you drip on more soy compounds .
Nevertheless , even if this worked outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the toxic effects of lead is nice , but cutting down on the levels of lead in your body is even better .
“ Because tofu has high content of both calcium and phytic acid phytate…it is biologically plausible that tofu may inhibit lead absorption and retention , thus reducing blood lead levels.
” But you don ’ t know , until you put it to the test .
Tofu consumption and blood lead levels were determined for about a thousand men and women in China .
For every nine or so ounces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to be about four percent less lead in their bloodstream .
Those who ate up to two and a half ounces a day had only half the odds of having elevated lead levels , compared to those eating less than about nine ounces a week .
Those consuming nearly four ounces a day appeared to cut their odds by more than 80 percent .
This was just a cross-sectional study , or snapshot in time , so it can ’ t prove cause and effect .
What you need is an interventional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups , giving half of them some food to see if it drives down lead levels .
I cover this in my video Best Food for Lead Poisoning : Chlorella , Cilantro , Tomatoes , Moringa ?
.
Where does all this lead exposure come from anyway ?
Check out the first five videos on this series : • How the Lead Paint Industry Got Away with It • How the Leaded Gas Industry Got Away with It • The Effects of Low-Level Lead Exposure in Adults For more about blocking lead absorption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help rid yourself of the lead you ’ ve already built up , see : • How to Lower Lead Levels with Diet : Breakfast , Whole Grains , Milk , Tofu ?
• Can Vitamin C Help with Lead Poisoning ?
• How to Lower Heavy Metal Levels with Diet Or , even better , don ’ t get exposed in the first place .
Find out more in these videos : • Get the Lead Out Some of my other videos on lead include : • Can Saunas Detoxify Lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lead Is in Organic Chicken Soup ( Bone Broth ) ?
And what about lead levels in women ?
See : • Should Pregnant Women Take Calcium Supplements to Lower Lead Levels ?
• The Rise in Blood Lead Levels at Pregnancy and Menopause • Is Lipstick Safe Given the Lead Contamination ?
PS : If you haven ’ t yet , you can subscribe to my free videos here and watch my live presentations : • 2016 : How Not To Die : The Role of Diet in Preventing , Arresting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 : Food as Medicine : Preventing and Treating the Most Dreaded Diseases with Diet • 2014 : From Table to Able : Combating Disabling Diseases with Food • 2013 : More Than an Apple a Day • 2012 : Uprooting the Leading Causes of Death

for lead-exposed steel workers—and not just with thiamine, as “content of dietary fiber, iron, or thiamine intake each correlated inversely with blood lead concentrations in workers…” The thinking is that the fiber might glom onto the lead and flush it out of the body, the iron would inhibit the lead absorption, and the thiamine may accelerate lead removal through the bile. So, researchers suggest that eating lots of iron, fiber and especially thiamine-rich foods “may induce rapid removal and excretion of the lead from the tissues.” But thiamine’s never been put to the test by giving it to people to see if their lead levels drop. The closest I could find is a thiamine intervention for lead-intoxicated goats.
with lower lead levels in the body. For example, women with higher intake of thiamine, also called vitamin B1, tended to have lower blood lead levels, and the same was
And much of the fiber data are just from test tube studies. In one, for example, researchers used simulated intestinal conditions, complete with “flasks” of feces, and both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber were able to bind up large amounts of mercury, cadmium, and lead to such an extent that they may have been able to block absorption in the small intestine. But, when our good gut flora then eat the fiber, some of the heavy metals may be re-released down in the colon, so it’s not completely fail safe. And, as with thiamine, there haven’t been controlled human studies.
But where is thiamine found? At 1:47 in my video How to Lower Lead Levels with Diet: Thiamine, Fiber, Iron, Fat, Fasting?, I feature a list of some of the healthiest sources of thiamine-rich foods that also contain fiber, which include highly concentrated, super healthy foods like beans and greens—foods we should all be eating anyway. So, even if thiamine- and fiber-rich foods don’t actually lower lead levels, we’ll still end up healthier.
What happened when iron was put to the test? It failed to improve the cognitive performance of lead-exposed children and failed to improve behavior or ADH symptoms, which is no surprise, because it also failed to bring down lead levels, as did zinc supplementation. It turns out that while iron may limit the absorption of lead, “it may also inhibit excretion of previously absorbed lead” that’s already in your body. What’s more, iron may not even inhibit lead absorption in the first place. That was based on rodent studies, and it turns out we’re not rodents.
We get the same story with zinc. It may have helped to protect rat testicles, but didn’t seem to help human children. “Nevertheless, iron is routinely prescribed in children with lead poisoning.” But, “given the lack of scientific evidence supporting the use of iron [supplementation] in…children with lead poisoning, its routine use should be re-examined.” Though, obviously, supplementation may help if you have an iron deficiency.
High fat intake has been identified as a nutritional condition that makes things worse for lead-exposed children. In fact, dietary fat has been associated with higher lead levels in cross-sectional, snapshot-in-time type studies, and there is a plausible biological mechanism: Dietary fat may boost lead absorption by stimulating extra bile, which in turn may contribute to lead absorption, but you really don’t know until you put it to the test.
In addition to testing iron, researchers also tested fat. They gave a group of intrepid volunteers a cocktail of radioactive lead and then, with a Geiger counter, measured how much radiation the subjects retained in their bodies. Drinking the lead with iron or zinc didn’t change anything, but adding about two teaspoons of vegetable oil boosted lead absorption into the body from about 60 percent up to around 75 percent, as you can see at 4:17 in my video.
The only thing that seemed to help, dropping lead absorption down to about 40 percent, was eating a light meal with the lead drink. What was the meal? Coffee and a donut. I think this is the first donut intervention I’ve ever seen with a positive outcome! Could it have been the coffee? Unlikely, because if anything, coffee drinking has been associated with a tiny increase in blood lead levels. If fat makes things worse, and the one sugar they tried didn’t help, the researchers figured that what made the difference was just eating food—any food—and not taking in lead on an empty stomach. And, indeed, if you repeat the study with a whole meal, lead absorption doesn’t just drop from 60 percent to 40 percent—it drops all the way down to just 4 percent! That’s extraordinary. That means it’s 15 times worse to ingest lead on an empty stomach.
Lead given 12 hours before a meal was absorbed at about 60 percent, so most of it was absorbed. When the same amount of lead was given three hours after a meal and also seven hours after a meal, most of it was absorbed at those times, too. But, if you get some food in your stomach within a few hours of lead exposure, you can suppress the absorption of some or nearly all of the lead you ingested, which you can see at 0:11 in my video How to Lower Lead Levels with Diet: Breakfast, Whole Grains, Milk, Tofu?.
This is why it’s critical to get the lead out of our tap water. Although it’s estimated that most of our lead exposure comes from food, rather than water, it’s not what we eat that matters, but what we absorb. If 90 percent of the lead in food is blocked from absorption by the very fact that it’s in food, 10 to 20 times more lead could be absorbed into your bloodstream simply by consuming the same amount of lead in water drank on an empty stomach.
And, since children empty their stomachs faster than adults because kids “have more rapid gastric emptying times,” the timing of meals may be even more important. With little tummies emptying in as few as two hours after a meal, offering midmorning and midafternoon snacks in addition to breakfast and regular meals may cut down on lead absorption in a contaminated environment. And, of course, we should ensure that children wash their hands prior to eating.
So, do preschoolers who eat breakfast have lower levels of lead in their blood? In the first study of its kind, researchers found that, indeed, children who ate breakfast regularly did appear to have lower lead levels, supporting recommendations to provide regular meals and snacks to young children at risk for lead exposure.
Is there anything in food that’s particularly protective? Researchers tested all sorts of foods to find out, and it turns out the “effect of a meal was probably largely due to its content of calcium and phosphate salts but lead uptake was probably further reduced by phytate which is plentiful in whole cereals,” but if calcium and phosphates are protective, you’d think dairy would work wonders. And, indeed, they started giving milk “to workers to prevent lead exposure” ever since calcium was shown to inhibit lead absorption in rats. But, in humans, there’s something in milk that appeared to increase lead uptake, and it wasn’t the fat because they found the same problem with skim milk.
“For over a century milk was recommended unreservedly to counteract lead poisoning in industry,” but this practice was abandoned in the middle of the last century once we learned that milk’s “overall effect is to promote the absorption of lead from the intestinal tract.” What’s the agent in milk that promotes the absorption of lead from the gut? It may be the milk sugar, lactose, though the “mechanism by which lactose enhances lead absorption is not clear.”
The bottom line? “In the past…milk was used as a prophylactic agent to protect workers in the lead industry. Recent studies, however, suggest that this practice is unjustified and may even be harmful.” So, giving people whole grains may offer greater protection against lead uptake.
However, the most potently calcium and phytate-rich food would be tofu. Isolated soy phytonutrients may have a neuroprotective effect, at least this was the case in petri dish-type studies. As you can see at 3:45 in my video, if you add a little lead to nerve cells, you can kill off about 40 percent of them, but if you then give more and more soy phytonutrients, you can ameliorate some of the damage. This is thought to be an antioxidant effect. If you add lead to nerve cells, you can get a big burst of free radicals, but less and less as you drip on more soy compounds.
Nevertheless, even if this worked outside of a lab, cutting down on the toxic effects of lead is nice, but cutting down on the levels of lead in your body is even better. “Because tofu has high content of both calcium and phytic acid phytate…it is biologically plausible that tofu may inhibit lead absorption and retention, thus reducing blood lead levels.” But you don’t know, until you put it to the test.
Tofu consumption and blood lead levels were determined for about a thousand men and women in China. For every nine or so ounces of tofu consumed a week, there appeared to be about four percent less lead in their bloodstream. Those who ate up to two and a half ounces a day had only half the odds of having elevated lead levels, compared to those eating less than about nine ounces a week. Those consuming nearly four ounces a day appeared to cut their odds by more than 80 percent. This was just a cross-sectional study, or snapshot in time, so it can’t prove cause and effect. What you need is an interventional study where you randomize people into two groups, giving half of them some food to see if it drives down lead levels. I cover this in my video Best Food for Lead Poisoning: Chlorella, Cilantro, Tomatoes, Moringa?.
Where does all this lead exposure come from anyway? Check out the first five videos on this series:
For more about blocking lead absorption, as well as what to eat to help rid yourself of the lead you’ve already built up, see:
Or, even better, don’t get exposed in the first place. Find out more in these videos:
Some of my other videos on lead include:
And what about lead levels in women? See:
In health,
Michael Greger, M.D.
PS: If you haven’t yet, you can subscribe to my free videos here and watch my live presentations:


nutritionfactsorg--2020-09-10--Garlic Powder to Lower Lead Levels

Garlic Powder to Lower Lead Levels

There are so-called chelation drugs that can be taken for acute , life-threatening lead poisoning—for instance if your two-year-old swallowed one of the little lead weights her grandma was using while sewing curtains and the doctor happened to miss it on x-ray , so it stayed lodged inside her until she died with a blood lead level of 283 mcg/dcl , a case I discuss in my video Best Foods for Lead Poisoning : Chlorella , Cilantro , Tomatoes , Moringa ?
.
However , for lower grade , chronic lead poisoning , such as at levels under 45 mg/dL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to whether these chelation drugs were effective .
When they were put to the test , the drugs failed to bring down lead levels long term .
Even when they worked initially , in dose after dose , the lead apparently continued to seep from the patients ’ bones , and , by the end of the year , they ended up with the same lead levels as the sugar pill placebo group , as you can see at 0:50 in my video .
It was no surprise , then , that even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning , researchers found no improvements in cognitive function or development .
Since much of lead poisoning is preventable and the drugs don ’ t seem to work in most cases , that just underscores the need “ to protect children from exposure to lead in the first place.
” Despite the medical profession ’ s “ best intentions to do something to help these kids…drug therapy is not the answer.
” Yes , we need to redouble efforts to prevent lead poisoning in the first place , but what can we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been exposed ?
The currently approved method , these chelating drugs that bind and remove lead from our tissues , “ lack [ s ] …safety and efficacy when conventional chelating agents are used.
” So , what about dietary approaches ?
Plants produce phytochelatins .
All higher plants possess the capacity to synthesize compounds that bind up heavy metals to protect themselves from the harmful effects , so what if we ate the plants ?
“ Unlike other forms of treatment ( e.g.
, pharmacotherapy with drugs ) , nutritional strategies carry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therapy that would presumably be cheap and with few to no side effects.
” Yes , but would it work when the drugs didn ’ t ?
We had learned that a meal could considerably cut down on lead absorption , but “ the particular components of food intake that so dramatically reduce lead absorption ” were uncertain at the time .
Although the calcium content of the meal appeared to be part of it , milk didn ’ t seem to help and even made things worse .
What about calcium supplements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help in reducing lead absorption in children , but “ recommendations…must be based on evidence rather than conviction.
” What ’ s more , those assertions are based in part on studies on rodents , and differences in calcium absorption and balance between rats and humans make extrapolation tricky .
What you have to do is put it to the test .
Researchers found that even an extra whopping 1,800 mg of calcium per day had no effect on blood lead levels .
Therefore , the evidence doesn ’ t support conclusions that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foods ?
Reviews of dietary strategies to treat lead toxicity say to eat lots of tomatoes , berries , onions , garlic , and grapes , as they are natural antagonists to lead toxicity and therefore should be consumed on a regular basis .
Remember those phytochelatins ?
Perhaps eating plants might help detoxify the lead in our own bodies or the bodies of those we eat .
These natural phytochelatin compounds work so well that we can use them to clean up pollution .
For example , the green algae chlorella can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so what if we ate it ?
If it can clean up polluted bodies of water , might it clean up our own polluted bodies ?
We don ’ t know , because we only have studies on mice , not men and women .
So , when you hear how chlorella detoxifies , they ’ re talking about the detoxification of rat testicles .
Yes , a little sprinkle of chlorella might help your pet rat , or perhaps you could give them some black cumin seeds or give them a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear how cilantro detoxifies against heavy metals , I presume you don ’ t expect the researchers to be talking about studies in rodents .
If we ’ re interested in science protecting our children , not just their pets , we ’ re out of luck .
The same is true with moringa , tomatoes , flaxseed oil , and sesame seed oil , as well as black grapes , and black , white , green , and red tea .
There are simply no human studies to guide us .
Dietary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are often based on rodent studies , but , for tofu , at least , there was a population study of people that showed lower lead levels in men and women who ate more tofu .
The researchers controlled for a whole bunch of factors , so it ’ s not as if tofu lovers were protected just because they smoked less or ate less meat , but you can ’ t control for everything .
Ideally , we ’ d have a randomized , placebo-controlled study .
Researchers would take a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them into two groups , with half given food and the other half given some kind of identical placebo food , and see what happens .
It ’ s easy to do this with drugs because you just use look-alike sugar pills as placebos so people don ’ t know which group they ’ re in , but how do you make placebo food ?
One way to do disguised food interventions is to use foods that are so potent they can be stuffed into a pill—like garlic .
There had been various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rats and looking at garlic as a potential antidote for lead intoxication distributed among different mouse organs , but who eats mouse organs ?
One animal study did have some direct human relevance , though , looking at the effect of garlic on lead content in chicken tissues .
The purpose was to “ explore the possible use of garlic to clean up lead contents in chickens which ” —like all of us on planet Earth— “ had been exposed to lead pollution and consequently help to minimize the hazard ” of lead-polluted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can see at 1:59 in my video Best Food for Lead Poisoning : Garlic , feeding garlic to chickens reduced lead levels in the “ edible mass of chicken ” by up to 75 percent or more .
Because we live in a polluted world , even if you don ’ t give the chickens lead and raise them on distilled water , they still end up with some lead in their meat and giblets .
But , if you actively feed them lead for a week , the levels get really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same amount of lead with a little garlic added , however , much less lead accumulates in their bodies .
What ’ s even more astonishing is that when researchers gave them the same amount of lead—but this time waited a week before giving them the garlic—it worked even better .
“ The value of garlic in reducing lead concentrations…was more pronounced when garlic was given as a post-treatment following the cessation of lead administration ” —that is , after the lead was stopped and had already built up in their tissues .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ beneficial effect of garlic against lead toxicity was primarily due to a reaction between lead and sulfur compounds in garlic ” that would glom on to lead in the intestinal tract and flush it out of the body .
But , what the study showed is that garlic appears to contain compounds that can actually pull lead not only out of the intestinal contents , but also out of the tissues of the body .
So , the “ results indicate that garlic contain chelating compounds capable of enhancing elimination of lead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploited to safeguard human consumers by minimizing lead concentrations in meat….
” If garlic is so effective at pulling lead out of chickens ’ bodies , why not more directly exploit “ garlic feeding ” by eating it ourselves ?
Well , there had never been a study on the ability of garlic to help lead-exposed humans until…2012 ?
( Actually , I ’ m embarrassed to say I missed it when the study was first published .
That was back when I was just getting NutritionFacts.org up and running .
Now that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team , hopefully important studies like this won ’ t slip through the cracks in the future . )
The study was a head-to-head comparison of the therapeutic effects of garlic versus a chelation therapy drug called D-penicillamine .
One hundred and seventeen workers exposed to lead in the car battery industry were randomly assigned into one of two groups and , three times a day for one month , either got the drug or an eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder compressed into a tablet , which is about the equivalent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
As expected , the chelation drug reduced blood lead levels by about 20 percent—but so did the garlic .
The garlic worked just as well as the drug and , of course , had fewer side effects .
“ Thus , garlic seems safer clinically and as effective , ” but saying something is as effective as chelation therapy isn ’ t saying much .
Remember how chelation drugs can lower blood levels in chronic lead poisoning , but they don ’ t actually improve neurological function ?
Well , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were seen , including less irritability , fewer headaches , and improvements in reflexes and blood pressure , but these improvements were not seen in the drug group .
They weren ’ t seen after treatment with the chelation therapy drug .
So , garlic was safer and more effective .
“ Therefore , garlic can be recommended for the treatment of mild-to-moderate lead poisoning .
There are also some human studieson vitamin C. Check out Can Vitamin C Help with Lead Poisoning ?
.
For even more lead videos , see : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Away with It • How the Leaded Gas Industry Got Away with It • The Effects of Low-Level Lead Exposure in Adults • How to Lower Lead Levels with Diet : Thiamine , Fiber , Iron , Fat , Fasting ?
• How to Lower Lead Levels with Diet : Breakfast , Whole Grains , Milk , Tofu ?
• Is Lipstick Safe Given the Lead Contamination ?
• Can Saunas Detoxify Lead from the Body ?
• How to Lower Heavy Metals with Diet • How Much Lead Is in Organic Chicken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Should Pregnant Women Take Calcium Supplements to Lower Lead Levels ?
To learn more about chlorella , see : PS : If you haven ’ t yet , you can subscribe to my free videos here and watch my live presentations : • 2016 : How Not To Die : The Role of Diet in Preventing , Arresting , and Reversing Our Top 15 Killers • 2015 : Food as Medicine : Preventing and Treating the Most Dreaded Diseases with Diet • 2014 : From Table to Able : Combating Disabling Diseases with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple a Day • 2012 : Uprooting the Leading Causes of Death

There are so-called chelation drugs that can be taken for acute, life-threatening lead poisoning—for instance if your two-year-old swallowed one of the little lead weights her grandma was using while sewing curtains and the doctor happened to miss it on x-ray, so it stayed lodged inside her until she died with a blood lead level of 283 mcg/dcl, a case I discuss in my video Best Foods for Lead Poisoning: Chlorella, Cilantro, Tomatoes, Moringa?.
However, for lower grade, chronic lead poisoning, such as at levels under 45 μg/dL, there were no clear guidance as to whether these chelation drugs were effective. When they were put to the test, the drugs failed to bring down lead levels long term. Even when they worked initially, in dose after dose, the lead apparently continued to seep from the patients’ bones, and, by the end of the year, they ended up with the same lead levels as the sugar pill placebo group, as you can see at 0:50 in my video. It was no surprise, then, that even though blood lead levels dipped at the beginning, researchers found no improvements in cognitive function or development.
Since much of lead poisoning is preventable and the drugs don’t seem to work in most cases, that just underscores the need “to protect children from exposure to lead in the first place.” Despite the medical profession’s “best intentions to do something to help these kids…drug therapy is not the answer.” Yes, we need to redouble efforts to prevent lead poisoning in the first place, but what can we do for the kids who’ve already been exposed?
The currently approved method, these chelating drugs that bind and remove lead from our tissues, “lack[s]…safety and efficacy when conventional chelating agents are used.” So, what about dietary approaches? Plants produce phytochelatins. All higher plants possess the capacity to synthesize compounds that bind up heavy metals to protect themselves from the harmful effects, so what if we ate the plants? “Unlike other forms of treatment (e.g., pharmacotherapy with drugs), nutritional strategies carry the promise of a natural form of therapy that would presumably be cheap and with few to no side effects.” Yes, but would it work when the drugs didn’t?
We had learned that a meal could considerably cut down on lead absorption, but “the particular components of food intake that so dramatically reduce lead absorption” were uncertain at the time. Although the calcium content of the meal appeared to be part of it, milk didn’t seem to help and even made things worse. What about calcium supplements? Some assert that calcium supplements may help in reducing lead absorption in children, but “recommendations…must be based on evidence rather than conviction.” What’s more, those assertions are based in part on studies on rodents, and differences in calcium absorption and balance between rats and humans make extrapolation tricky. What you have to do is put it to the test. Researchers found that even an extra whopping 1,800 mg of calcium per day had no effect on blood lead levels. Therefore, the evidence doesn’t support conclusions that calcium supplements help.
What about whole foods? Reviews of dietary strategies to treat lead toxicity say to eat lots of tomatoes, berries, onions, garlic, and grapes, as they are natural antagonists to lead toxicity and therefore should be consumed on a regular basis. Remember those phytochelatins? Perhaps eating plants might help detoxify the lead in our own bodies or the bodies of those we eat.
These natural phytochelatin compounds work so well that we can use them to clean up pollution. For example, the green algae chlorella can suck up lead and hold onto it, so what if we ate it? If it can clean up polluted bodies of water, might it clean up our own polluted bodies? We don’t know, because we only have studies on mice, not men and women.
So, when you hear how chlorella detoxifies, they’re talking about the detoxification of rat testicles. Yes, a little sprinkle of chlorella might help your pet rat, or perhaps you could give them some black cumin seeds or give them a sprig of cilantro, but when you hear how cilantro detoxifies against heavy metals, I presume you don’t expect the researchers to be talking about studies in rodents. If we’re interested in science protecting our children, not just their pets, we’re out of luck.
The same is true with moringa, tomatoes, flaxseed oil, and sesame seed oil, as well as black grapes, and black, white, green, and red tea. There are simply no human studies to guide us.
Dietary strategies for the treatment of lead toxicity are often based on rodent studies, but, for tofu, at least, there was a population study of people that showed lower lead levels in men and women who ate more tofu. The researchers controlled for a whole bunch of factors, so it’s not as if tofu lovers were protected just because they smoked less or ate less meat, but you can’t control for everything.
Ideally, we’d have a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Researchers would take a group of people exposed to lead, split them into two groups, with half given food and the other half given some kind of identical placebo food, and see what happens. It’s easy to do this with drugs because you just use look-alike sugar pills as placebos so people don’t know which group they’re in, but how do you make placebo food? One way to do disguised food interventions is to use foods that are so potent they can be stuffed into a pill—like garlic. There had been various studies measuring the effects of garlic in rats and looking at garlic as a potential antidote for lead intoxication distributed among different mouse organs, but who eats mouse organs? One animal study did have some direct human relevance, though, looking at the effect of garlic on lead content in chicken tissues. The purpose was to “explore the possible use of garlic to clean up lead contents in chickens which”—like all of us on planet Earth—“had been exposed to lead pollution and consequently help to minimize the hazard” of lead-polluted chicken meat.
And…it worked! As you can see at 1:59 in my video Best Food for Lead Poisoning: Garlic, feeding garlic to chickens reduced lead levels in the “edible mass of chicken” by up to 75 percent or more. Because we live in a polluted world, even if you don’t give the chickens lead and raise them on distilled water, they still end up with some lead in their meat and giblets. But, if you actively feed them lead for a week, the levels get really high. When you give them the same amount of lead with a little garlic added, however, much less lead accumulates in their bodies.
What’s even more astonishing is that when researchers gave them the same amount of lead—but this time waited a week before giving them the garlic—it worked even better. “The value of garlic in reducing lead concentrations…was more pronounced when garlic was given as a post-treatment following the cessation of lead administration”—that is, after the lead was stopped and had already built up in their tissues. We used to think that “the beneficial effect of garlic against lead toxicity was primarily due to a reaction between lead and sulfur compounds in garlic” that would glom on to lead in the intestinal tract and flush it out of the body. But, what the study showed is that garlic appears to contain compounds that can actually pull lead not only out of the intestinal contents, but also out of the tissues of the body. So, the “results indicate that garlic contain chelating compounds capable of enhancing elimination of lead,” and “garlic feeding can be exploited to safeguard human consumers by minimizing lead concentrations in meat….”
If garlic is so effective at pulling lead out of chickens’ bodies, why not more directly exploit “garlic feeding” by eating it ourselves? Well, there had never been a study on the ability of garlic to help lead-exposed humans until…2012? (Actually, I’m embarrassed to say I missed it when the study was first published. That was back when I was just getting NutritionFacts.org up and running. Now that we have staff and a whole research team, hopefully important studies like this won’t slip through the cracks in the future.)
The study was a head-to-head comparison of the therapeutic effects of garlic versus a chelation therapy drug called D-penicillamine. One hundred and seventeen workers exposed to lead in the car battery industry were randomly assigned into one of two groups and, three times a day for one month, either got the drug or an eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder compressed into a tablet, which is about the equivalent of two cloves of fresh garlic a day. As expected, the chelation drug reduced blood lead levels by about 20 percent—but so did the garlic. The garlic worked just as well as the drug and, of course, had fewer side effects. “Thus, garlic seems safer clinically and as effective,” but saying something is as effective as chelation therapy isn’t saying much. Remember how chelation drugs can lower blood levels in chronic lead poisoning, but they don’t actually improve neurological function?
Well, after treatment with garlic, significant clinical improvements were seen, including less irritability, fewer headaches, and improvements in reflexes and blood pressure, but these improvements were not seen in the drug group. They weren’t seen after treatment with the chelation therapy drug. So, garlic was safer and more effective. “Therefore, garlic can be recommended for the treatment of mild-to-moderate lead poisoning.
There are also some human studieson vitamin C. Check out Can Vitamin C Help with Lead Poisoning?.
For even more lead videos, see:
To learn more about chlorella, see:
In health,
Michael Greger, M.D.
PS: If you haven’t yet, you can subscribe to my free videos here and watch my live presentations:


nutritionfactsorg--2020-09-15--Can Vitamin C Supplements Help with Lead Poisoning?

“ Even if a nutritional manipulation is proven effective in reducing blood lead levels , reliance on such an intervention places most of the burden for prevention on those most affected and least responsible for the underlying environmental causes of lead toxicity .
Nutritional interventions , therefore , must never substitute for efforts to reduce lead exposure to safe levels .
On the other hand , when used as an adjunct to environmental measures , some nutritional changes may prove to have benefits beyond any impact on lead toxicity.
” For example , consumption of vitamin C-rich foods may help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profiles , and respiratory symptoms , ” in addition to perhaps influencing “ lead toxicity through an influence on absorption of lead , elimination of lead , transport within the body , tissue binding , or secondary mechanisms of toxicity , ” that is , even just helping ameliorate some of the damage .
But what is this based on ?
In 1939 , a remarkable study was published , entitled “ Vitamin C treatment in lead poisoning , ” in which 17 lead industry workers were given 100 mg of vitamin C @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one or two oranges , and “ with practically all of them there was a marked gain in vigor , color of skin , cheerfulness , blood picture , appetite and ability to sleep well.
” The 17 workers were chosen because they seemed to be in pretty bad shape and possibly even had scurvy , so it ’ s no wonder a little vitamin C helped .
But vitamin C is an antioxidant , and oxidation is “ an important mechanism underlying lead toxicity , ” so it ’ s conceivable that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm .
But , the vitamin C didn ’ t appear to just reduce the damage from the lead—it also reduced the lead itself .
As you can see from 1:43 in my video Can Vitamin C Help with Lead Poisoning ?
, the amount of lead in a painter ’ s urine over a period of a month after starting 200 mg of vitamin C a day exhibited a five-fold drop , suggesting he was absorbing less of the lead into his body .
He was one of three painters researchers tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ painters ’ levels dropped .
The researchers concluded that those “ exposed to lead…should be advised to include in their diet plenty of such rich sources of vitamin C as tomatoes ( fresh or canned ) , raw cabbage , oranges or grapefruit , raw spinach ( or even cooked , in very little water ) , raw turnips , green bell peppers , cantaloupe , etc.
” Now , this drop in lead in the subjects ’ urine was seen with only three painters , and the study didn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t take vitamin C , so perhaps everyone ’ s lead levels would have dropped for some other reason or perhaps it was just a coincidence .
You don ’ t know…until you put it to the test .
Those original data were so compelling that others were inspired to try to replicate them .
I mean , if it actually worked , if vitamin C could help with lead poisoning , grapefruits could be handed out at the factory door !
The earlier study didn ’ t have a good control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t going to make that same mistake this time .
In this study , half of the group got 100 mg of vitamin C a day—not just for a month but for a year—and the other group got nothing .
The result ?
“ Careful study of a large group of lead workers failed to reveal any effect of ascorbic acid vitamin C…on the lead concentration in the blood…or urine ” ( emphasis added ) .
There was no difference in their physical condition and no changes in their blood work , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommending the use of ascorbic acid vitamin C to minimize effects of lead absorption.
” What a disappointment .
It looked so promising !
Whenever I study a topic , I try to read the research chronologically so I can experience the discoveries as they happened throughout history .
At this point , though , I was so tempted to jump to a recent review to see what had happened in the intervening 74 years since that first study was published , but I didn ’ t want to spoiler alert !
myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sequentially .
There were in vitro studies where researchers dripped antioxidants on lead exposed cells and it seemed to help , so they jumped on the cantaloupe bandwagon , too , but these were test tube studies .
The first population study was published in 1999 , and , as you can see at 4:02 in my video , researchers did find that those with high vitamin C levels in their blood tended to have lower lead levels .
Youths with the highest vitamin C levels had a nearly 90 percent lower prevalence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those with the lowest vitamin C levels .
Now , this was a cross-sectional study , just a snapshot in time , so we don ’ t know if the vitamin C caused a drop in lead or if perhaps the lead caused a drop in vitamin C. Lead is a pro-oxidant , so maybe it ate up the vitamin C. And who has higher vitamin C levels ?
Those who can afford to have higher vitamin C levels and eat lots of fruits and vegetables .
“ It is also possible that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifestyles or greater socio-economic status.
” Indeed , maybe lower vitamin C levels are just a proxy for being poor , and that ’ s the real reason for higher lead levels .
There are lots of good reasons to be eating more fruits and vegetables , and we should be eating more spinach regardless , but it would be nice to know if vitamin C actually helps with lead poisoning .
And , to know that , we need to put it to the test .
Unfortunately , most of the published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such titles as “ Effects of dietary vitamin C supplementation on lead-treated sea cucumbers , ….
” And , there is a surprising number of articles on the effects of vitamin C supplementation on mouse testicles .
Why ?
Because lead may impair male fertility .
Indeed , lead workers appear to have a reduced likelihood of fathering children , but this may in part be due to oxidative stress .
In that case , how about giving an antioxidant , like vitamin C , and putting it to the test ( es @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not talking about rat testes or suggesting frog testes .
Neither am I proposing crab testes .
( I didn ’ t even know crabs had testicles ! )
Finally , here ’ s one to discuss : “ Clinical relevance of vitamin C among lead-exposed infertile men.
” A study of human men , which I will cover in Yellow Bell Peppers for Male Infertility and Lead Poisoning ?
.
I ’ m always conflicted about writing these kinds of blogs and producing videos like Can Vitamin C Help with Lead Poisoning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want “ the answer , ” but those with vested and commercial interests often exploit that natural impulse .
This is problem with science in general , but perhaps particularly in nutrition .
When it comes to something as life-or-death important as what to feed ourselves and our families we shouldn ’ t just follow someone ’ s opinions or beliefs on the matter .
We should demand to see the science .
That ’ s what I try to do : Present the available data as fairly and even-handedly as possible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind .
You can imagine how easily someone could cherry-pick just one or two studies and present a distorted but compelling case for or against , in this case , vitamin C supplements .
That ’ s why I feel it ’ s important to present each study in their historical context .
Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion in Yellow Bell Peppers for Male Infertility & Lead Poisoning ?
.
For those of you who are thinking , Why should I care about lead ?
I don ’ t eat paint chips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ’ s the big deal ?
, check out my full series of lead videos for information on how we got into this mess and some of the ways we can dig ourselves out : • How the Lead Paint Industry Got Away with It • How the Leaded Gas Industry Got Away with It • The Effects of Low-Level Lead Exposure in Adults • How to Lower Lead Levels with Diet : Thiamine , Fiber , Iron , Fat , Fasting ?
• How to Lower Lead Levels with Diet : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tofu ?
• Is Lipstick Safe Given the Lead Contamination ?
• Can Saunas Detoxify Lead from the Body ?
• How Much Lead Is in Organic Chicken Soup ( Bone Broth ) ?
• Should Pregnant Women Take Calcium Supplements to Lower Lead Levels ?
• The Rise in Blood Lead Levels at Pregnancy and Menopause PS : If you haven ’ t yet , you can subscribe to my free videos here and watch my live presentations : • 2016 : How Not To Die : The Role of Diet in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Top 15 Killers • 2015 : Food as Medicine : Preventing and Treating the Most Dreaded Diseases with Diet • 2014 : From Table to Able : Combating Disabling Diseases with Food • 2013 : More Than an Apple a Day • 2012 : Uprooting the Leading Causes of Death

“Even if a nutritional manipulation is proven effective in reducing blood lead levels, reliance on such an intervention places most of the burden for prevention on those most affected and least responsible for the underlying environmental causes of lead toxicity. Nutritional interventions, therefore, must never substitute for efforts to reduce lead exposure to safe levels. On the other hand, when used as an adjunct to environmental measures, some nutritional changes may prove to have benefits beyond any impact on lead toxicity.” For example, consumption of vitamin C-rich foods may help with “blood pressure, blood lipid profiles, and respiratory symptoms,” in addition to perhaps influencing “lead toxicity through an influence on absorption of lead, elimination of lead, transport within the body, tissue binding, or secondary mechanisms of toxicity,” that is, even just helping ameliorate some of the damage. But what is this based on?
In 1939, a remarkable study was published, entitled “Vitamin C treatment in lead poisoning,” in which 17 lead industry workers were given 100 mg of vitamin C a day, the amount found in one or two oranges, and “with practically all of them there was a marked gain in vigor, color of skin, cheerfulness, blood picture, appetite and ability to sleep well.” The 17 workers were chosen because they seemed to be in pretty bad shape and possibly even had scurvy, so it’s no wonder a little vitamin C helped. But vitamin C is an antioxidant, and oxidation is “an important mechanism underlying lead toxicity,” so it’s conceivable that it may have mediated some of the harm. But, the vitamin C didn’t appear to just reduce the damage from the lead—it also reduced the lead itself. As you can see from 1:43 in my video Can Vitamin C Help with Lead Poisoning?, the amount of lead in a painter’s urine over a period of a month after starting 200 mg of vitamin C a day exhibited a five-fold drop, suggesting he was absorbing less of the lead into his body. He was one of three painters researchers tried this on, and evidently all three painters’ levels dropped. The researchers concluded that those “exposed to lead…should be advised to include in their diet plenty of such rich sources of vitamin C as tomatoes (fresh or canned), raw cabbage, oranges or grapefruit, raw spinach (or even cooked, in very little water), raw turnips, green bell peppers, cantaloupe, etc.”
Now, this drop in lead in the subjects’ urine was seen with only three painters, and the study didn’t have a control group of painters who didn’t take vitamin C, so perhaps everyone’s lead levels would have dropped for some other reason or perhaps it was just a coincidence. You don’t know…until you put it to the test.
Those original data were so compelling that others were inspired to try to replicate them. I mean, if it actually worked, if vitamin C could help with lead poisoning, grapefruits could be handed out at the factory door! The earlier study didn’t have a good control group, but the researchers weren’t going to make that same mistake this time. In this study, half of the group got 100 mg of vitamin C a day—not just for a month but for a year—and the other group got nothing. The result? “Careful study of a large group of lead workers failed to reveal any effect of ascorbic acid vitamin C…on the lead concentration in the blood…or urine” (emphasis added). There was no difference in their physical condition and no changes in their blood work, so “no reason has been found for recommending the use of ascorbic acid vitamin C to minimize effects of lead absorption.” What a disappointment. It looked so promising!
Whenever I study a topic, I try to read the research chronologically so I can experience the discoveries as they happened throughout history. At this point, though, I was so tempted to jump to a recent review to see what had happened in the intervening 74 years since that first study was published, but I didn’t want to spoiler alert! myself, so I kept reading the papers sequentially. There were in vitro studies where researchers dripped antioxidants on lead exposed cells and it seemed to help, so they jumped on the cantaloupe bandwagon, too, but these were test tube studies.
The first population study was published in 1999, and, as you can see at 4:02 in my video, researchers did find that those with high vitamin C levels in their blood tended to have lower lead levels. Youths with the highest vitamin C levels had a nearly 90 percent lower prevalence of elevated blood lead levels compared to those with the lowest vitamin C levels. Now, this was a cross-sectional study, just a snapshot in time, so we don’t know if the vitamin C caused a drop in lead or if perhaps the lead caused a drop in vitamin C. Lead is a pro-oxidant, so maybe it ate up the vitamin C. And who has higher vitamin C levels? Those who can afford to have higher vitamin C levels and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. “It is also possible that higher ascorbic acid levels may represent healthier lifestyles or greater socio-economic status.” Indeed, maybe lower vitamin C levels are just a proxy for being poor, and that’s the real reason for higher lead levels.
There are lots of good reasons to be eating more fruits and vegetables, and we should be eating more spinach regardless, but it would be nice to know if vitamin C actually helps with lead poisoning. And, to know that, we need to put it to the test.
Unfortunately, most of the published interventions are not very helpful, with such titles as “Effects of dietary vitamin C supplementation on lead-treated sea cucumbers,….” And, there is a surprising number of articles on the effects of vitamin C supplementation on mouse testicles. Why? Because lead may impair male fertility. Indeed, lead workers appear to have a reduced likelihood of fathering children, but this may in part be due to oxidative stress. In that case, how about giving an antioxidant, like vitamin C, and putting it to the test(es)? No, I’m not talking about rat testes or suggesting frog testes. Neither am I proposing crab testes. (I didn’t even know crabs had testicles!) Finally, here’s one to discuss: “Clinical relevance of vitamin C among lead-exposed infertile men.” A study of human men, which I will cover in Yellow Bell Peppers for Male Infertility and Lead Poisoning?.
I’m always conflicted about writing these kinds of blogs and producing videos like Can Vitamin C Help with Lead Poisoning?. I can imagine some just want “the answer,” but those with vested and commercial interests often exploit that natural impulse. This is problem with science in general, but perhaps particularly in nutrition. When it comes to something as life-or-death important as what to feed ourselves and our families we shouldn’t just follow someone’s opinions or beliefs on the matter. We should demand to see the science. That’s what I try to do: Present the available data as fairly and even-handedly as possible, and let you make up your own mind. You can imagine how easily someone could cherry-pick just one or two studies and present a distorted but compelling case for or against, in this case, vitamin C supplements. That’s why I feel it’s important to present each study in their historical context. Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion in Yellow Bell Peppers for Male Infertility & Lead Poisoning?.
For those of you who are thinking, Why should I care about lead? I don’t eat paint chips or use leaded gasoline. Anyway, what’s the big deal?, check out my full series of lead videos for information on how we got into this mess and some of the ways we can dig ourselves out:
In health,
Michael Greger, M.D.
PS: If you haven’t yet, you can subscribe to my free videos here and watch my live presentations:


nutritionfactsorg--2020-09-17--Preorder the How Not to Diet Cookbook & Get a Signed Bookplate!

I ’ m thrilled to announce that The How Not to Diet Cookbook is now available for preorder for everyone on your holiday gift list !
If you have my first one , The How Not to Die Cookbook , you ’ ll recognize the one-and-only Robin Robertson joined me again to develop over 100 whole food , plant-based recipes inspired by cuisines around the world .
Here ’ s a tiny sample of what ’ s in my new cookbook : Not only is every recipe health-promoting , but every ingredient of every recipe is healthful .
All recipes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But how do you make things sweet without sugar ?
Salty without salt ?
Those were some of the challenges that made creating the cookbook so much fun !
Specific to the 21 Tweaks for evidence-based weight loss I detailed in How Not to Diet , recipes include the foods that act as fat blockers and fat burners , and starch blockers and appetite suppressants , such as black cumin , vinegar , and my prebiotic BROL mixture .
The recipes that meet my “ negative calorie ” preloading criteria are clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read How Not to Diet yet , grab a copy from your local library or wherever you buy or borrow your books .
Preorder your copy of my new cookbook today , and books will be arriving December 8 , just in time for the holidays and your New Year , New You resolutions .
Get a Signed Bookplate For a limited time , donate any amount to NutritionFacts.org using this form to receive a signed bookplate to put in your copy as a thank you gift .
The bookplates also make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of How Not to Diet , How Not to Die , or The How Not to Die Cookbook .
All proceeds go to keeping the 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit organization NutritionFacts growing and going .
Donate today since this form will only be up until my hand cramps up .
: ) Videos on Plant-Based Meats Available for Download Thank you to everyone who joined my recent webinar , The Human Health Implications of Plant-Based and Cultivated Meat for Pandemic Prevention and Climate Mitigation .
The high-quality digital download of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on DrGreger.org .
These videos will eventually be on NutritionFacts.org for free , but if you don ’ t want to wait , you can get them right now .
Join me for another live Instagram Q & A with one of my favorite dietitians and dearest friends , Julieanna Hever .
Head over to the NutritionFacts.org Instagram page on 9/18 at 3pm ET to get the answers to your health and nutrition questions .
Do Vegetarians Really Have Higher Stroke Risk ?
The first study in history on the incidence of stroke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be at higher risk .
Not taking B12 supplements or regularly eating B12 fortified foods may explain the higher stroke risk found among vegetarians .
What does a review of the evidence on the effects of coconut oil on weight loss and belly fat find ?
Every month I do a live Q & A from my treadmill , and this month Sept 24 is the day .
Join on our Facebook page or YouTube channel at 3pm ET .
I ’ ll be streaming to both at the same time !
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my past live Q & As here on NutritionFacts.org .
If that ’ s not enough , remember I have an audio podcast to keep you company at nutritionfacts.org/audio .
PS : If you haven ’ t yet , you can subscribe to my free videos here and watch my live , year-in-review presentations : • 2016 : How Not To Die : The Role of Diet in Preventing , Arresting , and Reversing Our Top 15 Killers • 2015 : Food as Medicine : Preventing and Treating the Most Dreaded Diseases with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Able : Combating Disabling Diseases with Food • 2013 : More Than an Apple a Day • 2012 : Uprooting the Leading Causes of Death

I’m thrilled to announce that The How Not to Diet Cookbook is now available for preorder for everyone on your holiday gift list! If you have my first one, The How Not to Die Cookbook, you’ll recognize the one-and-only Robin Robertson joined me again to develop over 100 whole food, plant-based recipes inspired by cuisines around the world. Here’s a tiny sample of what’s in my new cookbook:
Red Bean and Butternut Caldo Verde
Thai Green Papaya Salad
Zucchini Linguini with Mushroom-Lentil Bolongese
Jicama Nachos
Black Forest Chia Pudding
Not only is every recipe health-promoting, but every ingredient of every recipe is healthful. All recipes are composed of 100% Green-Light ingredients. But how do you make things sweet without sugar? Salty without salt? Those were some of the challenges that made creating the cookbook so much fun!
Specific to the 21 Tweaks for evidence-based weight loss I detailed in How Not to Diet, recipes include the foods that act as fat blockers and fat burners, and starch blockers and appetite suppressants, such as black cumin, vinegar, and my prebiotic BROL mixture. The recipes that meet my “negative calorie” preloading criteria are clearly marked. If you haven’t read How Not to Diet yet, grab a copy from your local library or wherever you buy or borrow your books.
Preorder your copy of my new cookbook today, and books will be arriving December 8, just in time for the holidays and your New Year, New You resolutions.
Get a Signed Bookplate
For a limited time, donate any amount to NutritionFacts.org using this form to receive a signed bookplate to put in your copy as a thank you gift. The bookplates also make a great keepsake for any of your copies of How Not to Diet, How Not to Die, or The How Not to Die Cookbook. All proceeds go to keeping the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization NutritionFacts growing and going. Donate today since this form will only be up until my hand cramps up. :)
Videos on Plant-Based Meats Available for Download
Thank you to everyone who joined my recent webinar, The Human Health Implications of Plant-Based and Cultivated Meat for Pandemic Prevention and Climate Mitigation. The high-quality digital download of the videos from that webinar is now available on DrGreger.org. These videos will eventually be on NutritionFacts.org for free, but if you don’t want to wait, you can get them right now.
New Comment Platform Coming Soon
Longtime users of NutritionFacts.org will be familiar with this change – we are returning to Disqus for the comments on the website. This will allow us to have more features that many of you have been requesting. You will be able to log in via Disqus.com, using your social media, or you can create and reply to comments without logging in at all. It also means that we will be saying goodbye to the user logins on NutritionFacts.org, so if you have any videos saved to your “favorites,” now is the time to save those links on your computer before the function goes away. These changes will be rolling out in the next few weeks.
Just Ask Alexa! A company called Wellian has developed an Alexa app that lets you tap into NutritionFacts.org’s information straight from your Alexa device. Simply subscribe, activate the app, and ask questions like “What causes heart disease?” or “How to improve my immune system?” Learn more about Wellian with Alexa. I can’t wait to try it!
Doctor and Dietitian Q&A
Join me for another live Instagram Q&A with one of my favorite dietitians and dearest friends, Julieanna Hever.
Head over to the NutritionFacts.org Instagram page on 9/18 at 3pm ET to get the answers to your health and nutrition questions.
Do Vegetarians Really Have Higher Stroke Risk?
The first study in history on the incidence of stroke of vegetarians and vegans suggests they may be at higher risk.
Vegetarians and Stroke Risk Factors—B12 & Homocysteine?
Not taking B12 supplements or regularly eating B12 fortified foods may explain the higher stroke risk found among vegetarians.
Flashback Friday: Coconut Oil and Abdominal Fat
What does a review of the evidence on the effects of coconut oil on weight loss and belly fat find?
Live Q&A on Sept 24
Every month I do a live Q&A from my treadmill, and this month Sept 24 is the day.
Join on our Facebook page or YouTube channel at 3pm ET. I’ll be streaming to both at the same time!
You can now find links to all of my past live Q&As here on NutritionFacts.org. If that’s not enough, remember I have an audio podcast to keep you company at nutritionfacts.org/audio.
In health,
Michael Greger, M.D.
PS: If you haven’t yet, you can subscribe to my free videos here and watch my live, year-in-review presentations: