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Research: DAWSON and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 45
Abstract
DAWSON and colleagues, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 77555-0587 USA investigated the effect of ascorbic acid supplementation upon blood lead levels in smokers .
Background
Methodology
The study participants were 75 adult men aged 20-30 who smoked a minimum of one pack of cigarettes per day. They had no clinical signs of vitamin C deficiency or lead toxicity, no history of industrial exposure to lead. Blood lead levels were expected to be below 1.45 micromol/l, the minimum blood level associated with toxicity symptoms. The men were randomly assigned to 3 groups of 25; each group was given a 4-week supply of a level of daily vitamin C supplements (placebo, 200 mg or 1000 mg). Serum and urine vitamin C and lead levels were measured at baseline and weekly. The data were analysed statistically using ANOVA and Pearsons correlation.
Results
The serum vitamin C levels of the group receiving vitamin C increased significantly following one week; placebo or 200 mg vitamin C supplementation did not affect blood or urine lead levels. There was a 81% decrease in blood lead levels in the 1000 mg vitamin C group following one week of supplementation .
Conclusion
Daily supplementation with 1000 mg vitamin C results in a significant decrease of blood lead levels. Hence, vitamin C may provide an economical and convenient way of reducing blood lead levels, possibly by reducing intestinal absorption of lead.
References
Dawson EB et al. The effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on the blood lead levels of smokers. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 18(20: 166-70. Apr 1999.
Comment
An 81% reduction in blood levels of lead in smokers just from ingesting 1 g of vitamin C per day. First of all, all smokers should quit. However, those who persist should supplement with vitamin C.
