The role of nutrition in mitigating environmental insults: policy and ethical issues.

Hu, Howard; Kotha, S Rani; Brennan, Troyen A.

doi:10.1289/ehp.95103s6185

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Dietary manipulation together with environmental management [ 34 ], are recommended strategies to mitigate exposure and its downstream health effects in chronically exposed populations. For example, iron (Fe) deficiency in humans has been linked to elevated levels of Cd in both blood and urine, independent of smoking, poverty, age, race, obesity and parity [ 35 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal blood cadmium, lead and arsenic levels, nutrient combinations, and offspring birthweight

et al. 2017

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BackgroundCadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) are common environmental contaminants that have been associated with lower birthweight. Although some essential metals may mitigate exposure, data are inconsistent. This study sought to evaluate the relationship between toxic metals, nutrient combinations and birthweight among 275 mother-child pairs.MethodsNon-essential metals, Cd, Pb, As, and essential metals, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn) were measured in maternal whole blood obtained during the first trimester using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Folate concentrations were measured by microbial assay. Birthweight was obtained from medical records. We used quantile regression to evaluate the association between toxic metals and nutrients due to their underlying wedge-shaped relationship. Ordinary linear regression was used to evaluate associations between birth weight and toxic metals.ResultsAfter multivariate adjustment, the negative association between Pb or Cd and a combination of Fe, Se, Ca and folate was robust, persistent and dose-dependent (p < 0.05). However, a combination of Zn, Cu, Mn and Mg was positively associated with Pb and Cd levels. While prenatal blood Cd and Pb were also associated with lower birthweight. Fe, Se, Ca and folate did not modify these associations.ConclusionSmall sample size and cross-sectional design notwithstanding, the robust and persistent negative associations between some, but not all, nutrient combinations with these ubiquitous environmental contaminants suggest that only some recommended nutrient combinations may mitigate toxic metal exposure in chronically exposed populations. Larger longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4225-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal blood cadmium, lead and arsenic levels, nutrient combinations, and offspring birthweight

et al. 2017

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“…An adequate diet may be able to inhibit, arrest, or even reverse the chain of events in toxicity (1), while a deficient diet could increase a person's susceptibility to adverse environmental exposures, such as allergens, environmental tobacco smoke, infectious agents, and air pollution (2). Several dietary factors have been implicated in the genesis of obstructive lung diseases, mainly because of the potential role of dietary factors in inflammatory reactions (1) and in the activities of airway smooth muscle and enzymatic reactions that affect neuromuscular transmission (3). These factors include a deficiency of antioxidant vitamins, a lower consumption of <w-3 fatty acids, and a higher consumption of <w-6 oils, processed foods, and salt (4).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diet and Obstructive Lung Diseases

Romieu¹,

Trenga

2001

Epidemiologic Reviews

281

174

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The results presented in this review suggest that the impact of nutrition on obstructive lung disease is most evident for antioxidant vitamins, particularly vitamin C and, to a lesser extent, vitamin E. By decreasing oxidant insults to the lung, antioxidants could modulate the development of chronic lung diseases and lung function decrement. Antioxidant vitamins could also play an important role in gene-environment interactions in complex lung diseases such as childhood asthma. Data also suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may have a potentially protective effect against airway hyperreactivity and lung function decrements; however, relevant data are still sparse. Although epidemiologic data suggest that consumption of fresh fruit may reduce risk of noncarcinogenic airway limitation, there are no clear data on which nutrients might be most relevant. While some studies evaluate daily intake of vitamin C, other studies use fruit consumption as a surrogate for antioxidant intake. Given the dietary intercorrelations among antioxidant vitamins, particularly vitamin C, beta-carotene, and flavonoids, as well as other micronutrients, it may be difficult to isolate a specific effect. Some population subgroups with higher levels of oxidative stress, such as cigarette smokers, may be more likely to benefit from dietary supplementation, since some studies have suggested that antioxidant intake may have a greater impact in this group. Studies of lung function decrement and COPD in adults suggest that daily intake of vitamin C at levels slightly exceeding the current Recommended Dietary Allowance (60 mg/day among nonsmokers and 100 mg/day among smokers) may have a protective effect (20). In the Schwartz and Weiss (85) and Britton et al. (87) studies, an increase of 40 mg/day in vitamin C intake led to an approximate 20-ml increase in FEV1. Daily mean vitamin C intakes in these studies were 66 mg and 99.2 mg, respectively, and the highest intake level (178 mg/day) was approximately three times the Recommended Dietary Allowance. Although the amplitude of the effect was modest, if these effects accumulate over 20-30 years, they could have a meaningful impact on the rate at which pulmonary function declines, particularly in symptomatic subjects (85). Longitudinal data support the hypothesis that fresh fruit consumption has a beneficial impact on the lung (95). Among children, consumption of fresh fruit, particularly fruit high in vitamin C, has been related to a lower prevalence of asthma symptoms and higher lung function (64). This effect was observed event at low levels of fruit consumption (one or two servings per week vs. less than one serving per week), which suggests that a small increase in dietary intake could have a beneficial effect. Consumption of fish has also been related to lower airway hyperreactivity among children (75) and higher lung function in adults (100); however, longitudinal data do not provide evidence that increased omega-3 fatty acid intake protects against lung disease (101). Experimental studies of persons...

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“…Even at a very low level, lead exposure in young children can induce subtle but irreversible impairments, especially on neurodevelopment (Schwartz 1994). In order to prevent lead absorption, enhance its elimination and mitigate lead toxicity, nutritional measures are still actual research topics (Hu et al 1995; Mahaffey 1995; Matte 1999; Houston & Johnson 2000; Tandon et al 2001; Hsu & Guo 2002; Sroka et al 2002).…”

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confidence: 99%

Ascorbic Acid Supplementation Does Not Improve Efficacy of meso‐Dimercaptosuccinic Acid Treatment in Lead‐Exposed Suckling Rats

Varnai

Piasek

Blanuša

et al. 2003

Pharmacology & Toxicology

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It was suggested that ascorbic acid as a natural chelating agent can influence lead toxicokinetics and improve chelating properties of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) in adult rats. In this paper potential benefits of ascorbic acid supplementation, alone or combined with DMSA, in decreasing lead retention in suckling rats were evaluated. Such data in young mammals are not available. L-Ascorbic acid (daily dose 650 mg/kg b.wt.) and/or DMSA (daily dose 91 mg/kg b.wt.) were administered orally to suckling Wistar rats either during ongoing 8-day oral lead exposure (as acetate; daily dose 2 mg lead/kg b.wt.) or after 3-day lead exposure (total dose 12 mg lead/kg b.wt.). Lead concentrations were analysed in the carcass (skeleton), liver, kidneys and brain by atomic absorption spectrometry. By ascorbic acid supplementation lead retention was not reduced under either lead exposure condition. Lead concentration was even increased in the carcass. Treatment with DMSA under both exposure conditions significantly reduced lead in all analysed tissues. Combined treatment with ascorbic acid and DMSA during ongoing lead exposure was substantially less effective than DMSA treatment alone, and did not affect DMSA efficacy when administered after lead exposure. It was concluded that ascorbic acid administered either during or after lead exposure in suckling rats has no beneficial effect on either lead retention or DMSA chelation effectiveness.

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The role of nutrition in mitigating environmental insults: policy and ethical issues.

Cited by 11 publications

References 32 publications

Maternal blood cadmium, lead and arsenic levels, nutrient combinations, and offspring birthweight

Maternal blood cadmium, lead and arsenic levels, nutrient combinations, and offspring birthweight

Diet and Obstructive Lung Diseases

Ascorbic Acid Supplementation Does Not Improve Efficacy of meso‐Dimercaptosuccinic Acid Treatment in Lead‐Exposed Suckling Rats

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