Does Vitamin C Intake Protect Against Lead Toxicity?

Abstract

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. Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey examined the association between ascorbic acid and blood lead concentrations in 19,578 participants ages 6–90 years without a history of lead poisoning. Elevated blood lead concentrations were found in 0.4% of adults and 0.5% of youths. 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

Role of Ascorbic Acid in Scavenging Free Radicals and Lead Toxicity from Biosystems

“…These results clearly indicate that treatment with vitamin C reduces the lead level in the body through excretion of urine by forming a water-soluble complex (probably lead-ascorbate). The results are supported by other reports on the elimination of oxidative stress induced by lead toxicity [30][31][32]. This study has an important implication in public health for the removal of toxic lead from the human biosystem.…”

Protective effect of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract against lead toxicity in rat

“…The administration of vitamin C to lead-intoxicated rats caused a reduction in serum lead concentration. Previous studies have reported protective effects of vitamin C against intoxication with lead (Houston & Johnson, 2000;Shalan et al, 2005). Studies in rats have demonstrated that vitamin C could reduce the gastrointestinal lead absorption (Morton et al, 1985) and promotes the renal excretion of lead (Niazi et al, 1982).…”

Vitamin C in Disease Prevention and Cure: An Overview

“…A large survey comprising of 19,578 participants (6-90 years) without prior history of lead poisoning reported that blood levels of AA are inversely related to plasma AA and recent dietary intake had no influence on blood levels. This study surmises that there may be a protective relationship between AA and lead [201].…”