A Surprising Way to Prevent Lead Poisoning in Children

Lead poisoning in children can have serious consequences. Lead can cause delays in growth and damage to the brain that may not be reversible. At high doses, childhood lead poisoning can lead to kidney damage and even death. Unfortunately, lead is in sneaky places such as soil contaminated with leaded paint or gas - and even in household dust in older homes painted with lead paint. In certain households, parents do hobbies such as stained glass and use lead-based solder, which can expose kids to lead. Certain toys that kids play with and put in their mouth are also sources of lead exposure.

A Surprising Way to Prevent Lead Poisoning

You can't always control every source of lead your child is exposed to, but there could be a simple way to prevent lead poisoning - or at least reduce the risk. Make sure your child eats breakfast and at least two other good meals a day.

How does eating regular meals help to prevent lead poisoning? Calorie restriction, fasting and missing meals increases the amount of lead a child absorbs from their digestive tract. According to a study published in the journal Environmental Health, kids who eat breakfast every morning have lead levels that are 15% lower than kids who skip this important meal. It also matters what they eat. At least in animal studies, a low-fat diet reduces lead absorption. So, giving a child a low-fat breakfast in the morning could reduce how much lead their body takes in.

Childhood Lead Poisoning Can Have No Obvious Symptoms

The scary thing about lead poisoning is a child can have it without obvious symptoms. They may fall behind in school or experience vague abdominal pains, fatigue and loss of appetite. This is why all children should be screened for lead during the first year of life and again at age two. Older kids should be tested regularly if they live in an old house where they could be exposed to lead-based paint. Lead poisoning is a very real threat to children.

Lead Poisoning in Children: The Bottom Line?

Give your child a healthy breakfast in the morning and make sure they don't skip meals since this boosts lead absorption. Most importantly, have your child screened at the appropriate ages for lead - and regularly if you live in an older home.

References:

Medical News Today. "Regular Breakfast Helps Reduce Lead Poisoning in Children"

Merck Manual. Eighteenth edition. 2006.