Micronutrients can counter lead effects in blood pressure

Manganese and selenium as micronutrients can counter the hypertensive effect of lead in blood, say the results of a new study conducted in Bangladesh.

Different varieties of nuts. Photo: Bob/Pixabay

Globally, hypertension affects a billion people and accounts for 7.5 million deaths annually, according to the WHO. Considered a lifestyle disease, environmental factors such as air pollution due to the use of leaded fuels, are also known to be responsible for the rise in blood pressure.

"The two vital micronutrients are highly protective and they decrease blood pressure," Maria Argos, study author and assistant professor at the School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago. "We also found they offset the harmful effects of sodium, mostly taken as table salt, on blood pressure."

The researchers, who were studying arsenic-related skin cancer, weighed up levels of lead, manganese and selenium in the blood and measured blood pressure at baseline and at three biennial follow-up examinations.

According to Argos, the study findings indicated a direct, linear association of lead exposure with systolic blood pressure that measures the force of blood pumped through the body when heart contracts. But the combination of mid-range manganese and high selenium concentrations completely offset lead-associated blood and pulse pressure.

Manganese is found in nuts, legumes, seeds, tea, whole grains and leafy green vegetables while selenium can be found in fish like tuna, cod, red snapper and herring and also in beef, poultry, grains and nuts.

The results are interesting but not enough to draw conclusions about the merits of manganese and selenium supplements in lead-exposed people. (SciDev.Net)

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