According to a recent study published online ahead of print in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, low-level exposure to lead is associated with decreased kidney function.

Florencia Harari, MD, PHD, of Sahlrenska University Hospital and University of Gothenburg, Sweden, along with her colleagues, in a prospective population-based cohort, found that individuals with blood lead levels in quartiles 3 and 4 (median 29 and 46 mcg/L, respectively) experienced much greater decreases in estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline to follow-up (about 16 years later) than those with blood levels in quartile 1 (median 15 mcg/L).

The investigators also reported that in a model adjusted for age, sex, smoking, alcohol intake and other potential confounders, individuals in the quartile 4 had a significant 49% increased risk of chronic kidney disease compared with those in the quartiles 1-3 (reference).

A few natural measures can be taken if you suspect lead poisoning or some other kind of toxic heavy metal poisoning is the cause of your health problems:

• Utilizing an Intestinal Metal Detox through a practitioner can help to bind and eliminate the body of any toxins. Amping up your hydration with lots of fresh water is also an added assist.

• Eating more vegetables, or supplement derivatives of, such vegetables as onions, garlic, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, cabbage, garden cress helps to supplement polyphenols, R-lipoic acid and other compounds that can help detoxing.

• NAC is a heavy metal oral chelator meaning it’s able to bind to toxic metals like lead and mercury without the necessity of intravenous treatment. It can also help build up the body’s natural antioxidants.

Be sure to check out my website for more info on nutritional techniques and supplements you can use to combat heavy metal toxicity and feel healthier than you have in years.