Nutrition may influence toxicant susceptibility of children and elderly

Neyman, M; Fechner, K; Garrett, C; Johns, M; Keen, C; Lamp, C; Sutherlin, J; Zidenberg-Cherr, S

Nutrition may influence toxicant susceptibility of children and elderly

Authors

Michelle R. Neyman
Krista Fechner
Constance Garrett
Margaret Johns
Carl L. Keen
Cathi Lamp
Jeanette Sutherlin
Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr

Authors Affiliations

M.R. Neyman is Assistant Professor, California State University, Chico; K. Fechner is Technical Writer, International Microcomputer Software; C. Garrett is Nutrition, Family and Consumer Sciences Advisors, UC Cooperative Extension; M. Johns is Family and Consumer Sciences Advisors, UC Cooperative Extension; C.L. Keen is Chair and Professor, Department of Nutrition, UC Davis; C. Lamp is Family and Consumer Sciences Advisors, UC Cooperative Extension; J. Sutherlin is Nutrition, Family and Consumer Sciences Advisors, UC Cooperative Extension; S. Zidenberg-Cherr is Nutrition Science Specialist, Department of Nutrition, UC Davis.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 54(5):19-25. DOI:10.3733/ca.v054n05p19. September 2000.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

Young children and elderly people are at great risk of poor nutrition. In a study of low- and high-income young children, we found that a large percentage of both groups, between 24% and 13%, had low intakes of calcium, iron and copper. Interestingly, the high-income children had greater deficiencies of several nutrients than the low-income children. Another study showed that many senior citizens consume diets providing less than two-thirds of the recommended dietary intakes of some essential vitamins and minerals. Further, animal experiments and human studies indicate that nutritional status can influence an individual's susceptibility to environmental toxicants including air pollutants, food contaminants, heavy metals and pesticides. For example, dietary antioxidants are known to aid in the metabolism of organophosphate pesticides; but low-income farmworkers and their children, who are at greater risk of pesticide exposure, often do not consume enough fruits and vegetables with these important nutrients. Likewise, children and adults with iron-deficiency anemia absorb more lead from their environments than those with adequate iron stores. Conversely, good nutrition at all life stages can decrease susceptibility to adverse effects of toxicants. Additional studies on the interactions between diet and chemical exposure in humans will be needed in the future.

References

Bannerjee BD. The influence of various factors on immune toxicity assessment of pesticide chemicals. Tox Letters. 1999. 107:21-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4274(99)00028-4

Barltrop D, Khoo HE. The influence of nutritional factors on lead absorption. Postgrad Med J. 1975. 51:795-800. PubMed PMID: 1208288

Cohen NL, Ralston PA. Factors related to dietary quality in elderly blacks. FASEB J. 1993. 7:A202-

Crocetti AF, Mushak P, Schwartz J. Determination of numbers of lead-exposed U.S. children by areas of the United States: An integrated summary of a report to the U.S. Congress on childhood lead poisoning. Env Health Perspectives. 1990. 89:109-20. https://doi.org/10.2307/3430906

Dickenson A, Block G, Russek-Cohen E. Serum vitamin C levels in adult supplement users and nonusers in NHANES II multiple analysis incorporation of other dietary and demographic variables. FASEB J. 1993. 7:A295-

Fechner K, Finnegan C, Garrett C, et al. Dietary intake in children at low and high risk for lead poisoning. FASEB J. 1996. 8:A481-

Fu SS, Sakanashi TM, Rogers JM, et al. Influence of dietary folic acid on the developmental toxicity of methanol and the frequency of chromosomal breakage in the CD-1 mouse. Repro Toxicol. 1996. 10:455-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0890-6238(96)00132-3

Guengerich FP. Influence of nutrients and other dietary materials on cytochrome P-450 enzymes. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995. 61:651S-8S. PubMed PMID: 7879733

Hackman RM, Hurley LS. Interaction of dietary zinc, genetic strain and acetazolamide in teratogenesis in mice. Teratology. 1983. 28:355-68. https://doi.org/10.1002/tera.1420280307 PubMed PMID: 6665735

Keen CL, Taubeneck MW, Zidenberg-Cherr S, et al. Toxicant exposure and trace element metabolism in pregnancy. Env Toxicol and Pharmacol. 1997. 4:301-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1382-6689(97)10028-X

Koughan N, Atkinson C. Nutrition screening initiative and the Louisiana food for seniors experience. J LA State Med Sed. 1993. 7:432-41.

Mahaffey KR. Environmental lead toxicity: Nutrition as a component of intervention. Env Health Perspectives. 1990. 89:75-8. https://doi.org/10.2307/3430900

Matsumura F. Mechanism of action of dioxin-type chemicals, pesticides and other xenobiotics affecting nutritional indexes. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995. 61:695S-701S. PubMed PMID: 7879740

Miller GD, Massaro TF, Massaro EJ. Interactions between lead and essential elements: A review. Neurotoxicology. 1990. 11(1):99-119. PubMed PMID: 2197580

National Research Council. Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children. National Academy Press. 1993. Washington, DC: 386p.

Neyman MR, Block G, Johns M, et al. Effect of participation in congregate-site meal programs on the energy and nutrient intakes of Hispanic seniors. JADA. 1998. 98:1460-2.

Oteiza PI, Adonaylo VN, Keen CL. Cadmium-induced testes oxidative damage in rats can be influenced by dietary zinc intake. Toxicology. 1999. 137:13-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0300-483X(99)00067-0 PubMed PMID: 10513996

Roe DA, Roe DA, Copeland L. The nutritional status of the elderly. Geriatric Nutrition. 1992. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. p. 57-67.

Rogers JM. Life stage and its impact on risk of environmentally induced adverse effects: Introduction. Env Toxicol and Pharmacol. 1997. 4:299-300. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1382-6689(97)10027-8

Sakanashi TM, Rogers JM, Fu SS, et al. Influence of maternal folate status on the developmental toxicity of methanol in the CD-1 mouse. Teratology. 1996. 54:198-206. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1096-9926(199610)54:4/198::AID-TERA4/3.0.CO;2-Y PubMed PMID: 9122889

Sinclair S. Male infertility: Nutritional and environmental considerations. Alt Med Rev. 2000. 5:28-38.

Slesinger DP. Health status and needs of migrant farmworkers in the United States: A literature review. J Rural Health. 1992. 8:227-34. PubMed PMID: 10121552

Stevenson DE, Kehrer JP, Kolaja KL, et al. Effect of dietary antioxidants on dieldrin-induced hepatocotoxicity in mice. Tox Letters. 1995. 75:177-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-4274(94)03178-A

Wasserman G, Graziano JH, Factor-Litvak P. Independent effects of lead exposure and iron deficiency anemia on developmental outcome at age 2 years. J Pediatr. 1992. 121:695-703. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(05)81895-5 PubMed PMID: 1432416

Zidenberg-Cherr S, Fechner K, Garrett C, et al. Trace element status in children at low and high risk for lead poisoning. FASEB J. 1996. 8:A785-

Also in this issue:

The impact of cotton plant resistance on spider mites and their natural enemies

We are what we eat: Ensuring safe and healthy food in the 21st century

Supplements may contain high doses

UC hosts food security symposium

UC center focuses on weight and health

School gardens produce food and lessons

What are the best strategies for achieving optimal nutrition?

Nutraceuticals: Separating the wheat from the chaff

Dietary flavonoids may promote health, prevent heart disease

School-based gardens can teach kids healthier eating habits

Comprehensive studies are needed: Food security, biodiversity threatened by population growth

Global surveillance needed to prevent foodborne disease

Salmonella in sewage effluent raises ecological and food-safety concerns

Providing reliable supply of safe drinking water poses challenges

Emerging pathogens on the rise: How can waterborne illness be prevented?