WELLNESS 148
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How Your Body is Affected by Lead
Sources of Lead Toxicity
| ceramic glazes | lead water pipes |
| cigarette smoke | leaded gasoline |
| colored ink | manufacture of batteries |
| food cans soldered with lead | mine smelting industries |
| Grecian Formula and Youth Hair | pesticide residues |
| hair dyes | water contaminated with lead from industrial |
| lead-based paint | waste |
Children can also be born with elevated lead, passed through the placenta from their mothers.
Diets deficient in calcium, magnesium, or iron increase lead absorption.
Detection Of Lead Toxicity
- Blood lead testing is not accurate in detecting chronic lead toxicity. Within 30 days of exposure, most lead is removed from the blood and stored in body tissues.
- Blood challenge tests can detect a certain amount of lead poisoning.
- Hair testing has been shown by the Environmental Protection Agency to be a good method of testing for lead poisoning.
- Several hair tests may be necessary before elevated lead levels are revealed.
How Lead Affects The Body
| Blood - | inhibits enzymes associated with hemoglobin synthesis, and increases the rate of destruction of red blood cells. End result is fatigue. |
| Bones - | lead is incorporated into bone in preference to calcium. |
| Brain - | can inhibit copper-dependent enzymes needed for neurotransmitters (dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine). End result is hyperactivity. |
| Energy - | inhibits copper and iron-dependent enzymes in the Krebs cycle required for energy production. End result is fatigue. |
| Kidneys - | lead can raise uric acid levels and impair kidney function. End result is gout. |
| Minerals - | lead displaces and can cause deficiency or bio-unavailability of calcium, zinc, manganese, copper, and iron. |
| Thyroid Gland - | lead interferes with iodine uptake by the thyroid, and can inactivate thyroxin, the thyroid hormone. |
Possible Conditions Associated With Lead Toxicity
|
Musculo-Skeletal System
arthritis, osteo arthritis, rheumatoid back pain, low gout rickets Nervous System brain function, abnormal blindness convulsions deafness dyslexia encephalitis encephalopathy epilepsy fatigue insomnia multiple sclerosis muscular dystrophy Parkinson's disease vertigo Cardiovascular System arteriosclerosis atherosclerosis cardiovascular dysfunction Digestive System abdominal pain colic constipation indigestion liver dysfunction weight loss |
Reproductive System
abortions, spontaneous impotency infertility libido, diminished menstrual difficulties sterility stillbirths Glandular System adrenal insufficiency hypopituitarism hypothyroidism Excretory System nephritis renal dysfunction Dental pyorrhea tooth decay Vascular System anemia Psychological anxiety concentration, poor depression, mental hallucinations hyperkinesis memory impairment mental retardation mood swings nightmares psychotic behavior schizophrenia |