Does iron deficiency increase absorption of lead?
Some animal studies suggest mechanisms by which iron levels could affect lead retention. For example, one study of rats indicates that iron and lead absorption may be mediated by common carriers and that ingested iron decreases the absorption of lead in a dose-related manner, presumably by competitive inhibition of the carrier protein (17). Moreover, iron-deficient animals have significantly higher rates of lead absorption than iron-replete ones (18). However, the effect of iron levels and iron supplementation on radiolabeled lead retention in humans is controversial, with at least one study finding an effect (19) and at least one not (20). In their latest study, Watson and colleagues (19) found a correlation between lead and iron absorption; however, the mean lead-absorption value for iron-deficient subjects was not significantly different from the value for those who were not iron deficient. No data are available for children. Does iron deficiency enhance the adverse effect of lead o
