Recommending calcium to reduce lead toxicity in children: a critical review.
Assertions that adequate or supplemental calcium intake can reduce lead absorption in children are based on liberal extrapolation from animal studies, experiments with human adults, and cross-sectional studies of children that have a variety of methodologic weaknesses. Without stronger supporting evidence, statements that diet can ameliorate the deleterious effects of environmental lead could provide a false sense of efficacy and divert efforts from lead abatement and from behavioral modifications that might have more impact.
Ballew
C
C
Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
Bowman
B
B
D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D002614:Chelating Agents; D007854:Lead