↑ absorption of Pb [12] ↑ absorption results in active VTD (renal) and promotes Pb toxicity
Low Ca results in ↑ Pb absorption and ↑ Pb in tissues and brain to impair cognition; calcium and phosphorous supplementation decreases Pb absorption and retention [16, 17]
Increased calcium and magnesium may protect against lead induced hypertension in pregnancy [18]
Pb competes with Zn for intestinal absorption and replaces zinc on hem enzyme; Zn supplementation decreases tissue Pb accumulation [16, 17, 19]
Copper insufficiency leads to increased toxicity of Pb; dietary copper reduced Pb absorption [19]; together, iron and copper completely inhibited the effects of Pb
Low Fe intake = ↑ Pb absorption competing for transport system; supplementation may decrease Pb absorption and toxicity [17]
Se is useful as an adjunct in chelation treatment in Pb intoxication
Mercury (Hg)
No effect on absorption of Hg [43] Vitamin D may help detoxify the brain from excess Hg [20]
↑ Hg releases intracellular Ca stores disrupting neuronal transport Ca protects against mercury toxicity [21]
Mg protects against Hg toxicities but less than Ca [21]
Zn is protective against methylmercury damage [22]
Cu protects against Hg toxicities but less than Mg [21]
Iron protects against Hg toxicity; Hg exposure may result in iron deficiency [23]
Se protects best against Hg toxicity and binds mercury [15, 17]
Cobalt (Co)
↑ absorption of Co
N/A
N/A
Administration of Co increases Zn concentration in liver
Administration of Co increases urinary Cu excretion [24]