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Vitamins and minerals

Lead in the body — can vitamin C remove it?

Sources: 12 · Article: 9 669 characters

Thomas E. Levy links vitamin C intake with eliminating lead toxicity.

  • Hubert Czerniak describes alpha-lipoic acid as a lead chelator.
  • He also says that DMSA is better at eliminating lead, among other things.

What the authors write

Thomas E. Levy

The headline links vitamin C intake with eliminating lead toxicity, but gives no details.

„November 19, 2013 | Eliminate lead toxicity by consuming vitamin C”November 19, 2013 | Eliminate lead toxicity by consuming vitamin C
Thomas E. Levy

The headline links vitamin C intake with eliminating lead toxicity, but gives no details.

„November 19, 2013 | Eliminate lead toxicity by consuming vitamin C”November 19, 2013 | Eliminate lead toxicity by consuming vitamin C
Thomas E. Levy

The headline links vitamin C intake with eliminating lead toxicity, but gives no details.

„November 19, 2013 | Eliminate lead toxicity by consuming vitamin C”November 19, 2013 | Eliminate lead toxicity by consuming vitamin C
Thomas E. Levy

The headline links vitamin C intake with eliminating lead toxicity, but gives no details.

„November 19, 2013 | Eliminate lead toxicity by consuming vitamin C”November 19, 2013 | Eliminate lead toxicity by consuming vitamin C
Hubert Czerniak

Alpha-lipoic acid is presented as a lead chelator.

„ALA is the best chelator for mercury, lead, cadmium, nickel, arsenic, iron, manganese, cobalt, copper, and zinc, and probably also thallium, tungsten, palladium, and antimony. It should be taken in cycles, for example, 7 days on and 7 days off, or in 14-day-on, 14-day-off cycles.”ALA jest najlepszym chelatorem rtęci, ołowiu, kadmu, niklu, arsenu, żelaza, manganu, kobaltu, miedzi i cynku, a prawdopodobnie także talu, wolframu, palladu i antymonu. Należy go przyjmować interwałami, np. 7 dni stosowania, 7 dni przerwy, lub w proporcjach 14 dni do 14 dni.
Hubert Czerniak

DMSA is described as a substance that is better at eliminating lead, among other things.

„DMSA, on the other hand, is much better at removing heavy metals such as arsenic, antimony, cadmium, lead, bismuth, beryllium, cobalt, and copper from the body. For gold and nickel, studies have so far been carried out only on animals, so it is difficult to take a well-founded position.”DMSA natomiast dużo lepiej eliminuje z organizmu metale ciężkie, takie jak arsen, antymon, kadmm, ołów, bizmut, beryl, kobalt i miedź. Jeżeli chodzi o złoto i nikiel, badania były wykonane dotychczas tylko na zwierzętach, dlatego trudno jest zająć rzetelne stanowisko.

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 4 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 97.

In workers exposed to lead, taking vitamin C supplements for two weeks was associated with a decrease in blood lead levels.

Aim of the study: To investigate the toxic effects of lead during occupational exposure to this metal, the activity of aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) and the concentrations of erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EPP) were determined in the blood of various artisans in Abeokuta, Nigeria, and these were related to blood lead levels. ALAD activity in the artisans was inhibited to varying extents.

Results: Administration of a daily dose of 500mg ascorbic acid for 2 weeks reversed the lead-induced inhibition of ALAD. Increased EPP levels observed in the artisans also responded positively to the ascorbic acid supplementation. A significant reduction (p<0.001) in blood lead was also observed in the artisans at the end of the 2-week ascorbic acid therapy. Our findings indicate that ascorbic acid may offer more advantages over the conventional agents for the treatment of lead poisoning, especially in cases where the subjects cannot be removed from the source of lead exposure.

Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyobservation of people

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In a small study of workers exposed to lead, vitamin C was associated with a decrease in blood lead levels after one month.

Aim of the study: The refining of silver from old silver ornaments, articles and jeweller's waste by smelting these with lead scraps for the fabrication of new jewellery is an important small scale industry in India.

Results: twice a day) for 1 month. The treatment with both the vitamins significantly lowered the blood lead levels and reduced blood thiamine and copper deficiency. In addition, vitamin C was also effective in reversing the inhibition of blood ALAD activity while the effect of vitamin B1 on its activity was marginal. The daily intake of vitamin B1 and vitamin C may prevent the accumulation of lead and reduce its toxic effects particularly in those regularly exposed to lead.

Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyobservation of people
Participants50

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In rats exposed to lead, vitamin C was associated with a decrease in lead levels in the blood and cerebellum.

Aim of the study: The deteriorating effects of Lead (Pb) on central nervous system (CNS) such as cerebellum has been demonstrated in previous studies. Glycoconjugates with the important role in CNS development may be affected by Pb-exposure.

Results: Besides, significant decrease was observed in the density of lectin-positive neurons of Pb-exposed group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Moreover, strong staining intensity and high lectin-positive neurons were found in Pb + Vit C, Pb + G and Pb + Vit C + G groups than Pb-exposed group (P < 0.001). The present study revealed that Pb-exposure can result in alteration in the cerebellar glycoconjugates contents and co-administration of vitamin C and garlic could attenuate the adverse effects of Pb. The findings of this study revealed the ameliorating effects of vitamin C and garlic against Pb, suggesting the potential use of vitamin C and garlic as preventive agents in Pb poisoning.

Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In an observational study, higher blood vitamin C levels were associated with a lower prevalence of elevated lead levels, but dietary vitamin C intake was not associated with lead levels.

Aim of the study: Although several animal studies suggest a protective relationship between blood lead concentrations and ascorbic acid, there are inconclusive results regarding the beneficial effect of ascorbic acid on lead concentrations in human studies.

Results: Serum ascorbic acid concentrations were inversely associated with the prevalence of elevated blood lead concentrations. However, there was no significant relationship between dietary ascorbic acid intake and blood lead concentrations. This study suggests that there may be a protective relationship between ascorbic acid and lead. Questions remain regarding the unique roles of dietary vitamin C versus supplemental vitamin C in explaining this relationship.

Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Perspectives and opinion materials

The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.

Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„We know that lead poisoning can cause severe mental retardation. Lead has been clearly linked with Alzheimer's disease. We have been told to avoid lead in our homes and in our water, and to clean up lead pollution of our environment. But we have not been told how to remove it from our bodies. Vitamin C megadoses may be the answer. Dr. Erik Paterson, of British Columbia, reports: "When I was a consulting physician for a center for the mentally challenged, a patient showing behavioral changes was found to have blood lead levels some ten times higher than the acceptable levels. I administered vitamin C at a dose of 4,000 mg/day.”We know that lead poisoning can cause severe mental retardation. Lead has been clearly linked with Alzheimer's disease. We have been told to avoid lead in our homes and in our water, and to clean up lead pollution of our environment. But we have not been told how to remove it from our bodies. Vitamin C megadoses may be the answer. Dr. Erik Paterson, of British Columbia, reports: "When I was a consulting physician for a center for the mentally challenged, a patient showing behavioral changes was found to have blood lead levels some ten times higher than the acceptable levels. I administered vitamin C at a dose of 4,000 mg/day.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Recent controlled trials with yeast, fish, mice, rats, chickens, clams, guinea pigs, and turkeys all came to the same conclusion: Vitamin C protects growing animals from heavy metals poisoning. [1-7] Benefits with an animal model do not always translate to equal benefits for humans. In this case, however, the benefit has been proven for a wide range of animals. The odds that vitamin C will protect human children are high. There is a virtual epidemic of behavior problems, learning disabilities, ADHD and autism, and the number of children receiving special education services continues to rise steeply.”Recent controlled trials with yeast, fish, mice, rats, chickens, clams, guinea pigs, and turkeys all came to the same conclusion: Vitamin C protects growing animals from heavy metals poisoning. [1-7] Benefits with an animal model do not always translate to equal benefits for humans. In this case, however, the benefit has been proven for a wide range of animals. The odds that vitamin C will protect human children are high. There is a virtual epidemic of behavior problems, learning disabilities, ADHD and autism, and the number of children receiving special education services continues to rise steeply.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Vitamin C is of particular importance and should be included at high intakes for anyone trying to minimize radiation poisoning. High dose vitamin C provides continual antioxidant flow through the body. It is absorbed from the gut and helps to replenish the other antioxidants.”Vitamin C is of particular importance and should be included at high intakes for anyone trying to minimize radiation poisoning. High dose vitamin C provides continual antioxidant flow through the body. It is absorbed from the gut and helps to replenish the other antioxidants.

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