Calcium alginate accelerates elimination of environmental lead in preschool children

Environmental lead poses a serious threat for public health, particularly, for children. The use of substances with metal-binding properties, such as natural alginates, may be a potentially effective method for elimination of toxic metal ions from human body. In present study, effect of calcium alginate isolated from brown algae on distribution of the lead ions in preschool children was investigated. In the beginning of the study, lead concentration in urine, feces, and hair was determined. Then these children were administered a dietary supplement containing calcium alginate for four weeks. The results showed that all children participated in the study had a high baseline median lead level in urine (1.1 µg/L), feces (4.6 µg/g), and hair (5.0 µg/g). Administration of calcium alginate resulted in twofold increase of the urine lead level within two weeks from the start of the treatment. At the end of alginate administration, significant decrease of lead concentration in hair was registered. These results suggest that calcium alginate can potentially prevent accumulation of the lead ions in the body and may be used as an active agent for elimination of this toxic metal from human body.