Trusted Information for Healthy Pregnancies
nutrition
Healthy Baby Campaign Uses Texts to Reach Mothers
Feb 4th
Expectant mothers are getting a new tool to help keep themselves and their babies healthy: pregnancy tips sent directly to their cell phones.
The so-called text4baby campaign is the first free, health education program in the U.S. to harness the reach of mobile phones, according to its sponsors, which include Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, WellPoint and CareFirst BlueCross and Blue Shield. Wireless carriers including AT&T, Verizon and Sprint have agreed to waive all fees for receiving the texts.
Organizers say texting is an effective means of delivering wellness tips because 90 percent of people in the U.S. have cell phones.
"Especially if you start talking about low-income people, cell phones are the indispensable tool for reaching them and engaging them about their health," said Paul Meyer, president of Voxiva, a company which operates health texting programs in Africa, Latin America and India.
Studies in those countries have shown that periodic texts can reduce smoking and other unhealthy behaviors in pregnant mothers.
Meyer said the U.S. program, run by Voxiva, will be the largest health-related texting program ever undertaken.
Under the new service, mothers-to-be who text "BABY" to 511411 will receive weekly text messages, timed to their due date or their baby's birth date. The messages, which have been vetted by government and nonprofit health experts, deal with nutrition, immunization and birth defect prevention, among other topics. The messages will continue through the baby's first birthday.
Text4baby is expected to be announced Thursday morning by officials from the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy. Government officials will be publicizing the campaign in speeches and promotional materials.
Organizers hope the effort can curb premature births, which can be caused by poor nutrition, excessive stress, smoking and drinking alcohol. About 500,000 babies are born prematurely in the U.S. each year, and 28,000 infants die before their first birthday, according to the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. The nonprofit is among the sponsors of the campaign.
"The real scary thing is that we're an industrialized nation and we're not doing very well on infant mortality, and we know prematurity is a big part of that," said the group's director, Judy Meehan.
Currently the U.S. ranks 30th worldwide for infant mortality, according to Meehan, behind most Western European nations.
Researchers at the George Washington University have agreed to evaluate the effectiveness of text4baby by measuring health trends for mothers and newborns.
Source
Omega-3 Supplements Don’t Reduce Risk of Preterm Birth
Jan 28th
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements are believed to have many health benefits, but the one thing they can't do is help women with a history of delivering their babies early carry their next child to full term, new research finds.
"The omega-3 did not add any benefit," said study author Dr. Margaret Harper, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC. The study appears in the February issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Harper and her colleagues randomly assigned 852 pregnant women with a history of a preterm birth either to get a daily omega-3 supplement or a placebo beginning about week 16 to 22 and continuing through week 36 of gestation.
All women also received weekly intramuscular hormone injections of hydroxyprogesterone caproate, which has been shown to improve the chances of carrying a baby to term, Harper said.
Her team followed up to see which women delivered before 37 weeks. Full-term is defined as 37 weeks of completed gestation.
Delivery before 37 weeks occurred in 37.8 percent of those taking omega-3, and 41.6 percent of those in the placebo group, a small difference.
Prematurity is the leading cause of newborn death, the authors write in the report, and it is increasing in the United States. A woman who delivers one baby before term is more likely to deliver future babies early.
Harper's team decided to study the value of the omega-3 supplements after conflicting findings about the value of the supplements for women at high risk of premature delivery. For those at low-risk, she said, the findings seem to agree that omega-3 supplements don't further reduce the risk of preterm birth.
A recent large review of published studies found only one that showed benefit of the supplements in high-risk women, she said.
According to Harper, omega-3 fatty acids, when metabolized, are converted to much less potent biochemicals called prostaglandins, which make the uterus contract, than are omega-6 fatty acids -- also essential fatty acids but typically over-eaten in Western diets. Adding omega-3s to an omega-6-heavy diet, so the thinking went, might result in better chances of carrying the baby to term.
Omega-3 supplements, in other research, have been found to help heart health, to lower blood pressure and to reduce the risk of abnormal heartbeats.
But in Harper's study, she also noted that women getting omega-3 supplements were more likely to give birth to a baby with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). While 59 babies (13.9 percent) of those in the omega-3 group had RDS, only 35 (8.7 percent) of those in the placebo group did. In other words, the omega-3 mothers' babies were 1.6 times more likely to get RDS than infants born to mothers taking placebo. It's the first time such a finding has been reported in clinical trials, the authors wrote.
"While the study's results showed no difference, there is early evidence that omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for fetal brain development, so women should still consider taking them, in conjunction with their doctor's advice, despite what seems to be little benefit for the reduction of spontaneous preterm birth."
Source
50 Foods Every Pregnant Woman Should Eat
Jan 25th
The following foods ought to find their way into a pregnancy diet, even if some of them must be ingested in moderation or within certain parameters.
Kidney BeansMayo Clinic states that 1 cup of boiled kidney beans a day provides pregnant women with 5.2 out of the suggested 27 milligrams of iron. Dry, as opposed to canned or fresh, legumes typically nurture more efficient absorption – a tip which comes straight from the National Medical Library at the National Institute of Health.
BeefPregnant women should veer towards leaner cuts of beef, which provides valuable proteins and iron necessary for fetal development and healthy blood – among other benefits, of course. Mayo Clinic recommends 3 ounces of beef tenderloin (or equivalent a day, as it provides 3 milligrams of iron per serving.
CerealCereals, most especially those with added iron and calcium, provide pregnant women with a plethora of important nutrients. Based on statistics compiled by the USDA and expressed by the Mayo Clinic, ¾ of a cup of fortified cereal provides a whopping 18 milligrams of iron a day out of the recommended 27. One cup of cereal with extra calcium offers between 100 to 1,000 milligrams of the suggested 1,000 a day (1,300 for teenage pregnancies. In addition, ¾ of a cup also contains 400 micrograms of folic acid, and Mayo Clinic experts believe that 800 micrograms a day prior to conception, and 1,000 a day following it is the healthiest habit.
Dark Meat TurkeyConsuming 3.5 ounces of dark meat turkey provides 2.3 out of the recommended 27 milligrams of iron a day, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is also an excellent source of protein as well.
ChickenPregnant women need around 71 grams of protein a day in order to facilitate fetal growth, and Mayo Clinic states that 3 ounces of chicken breast offers 27.6 grams of this necessary substance. Chicken also introduces valuable iron into a pregnant woman’s diet.
Salmon3 ounces of canned pink salmon (bones included provides mother and child alike with 181 milligrams of calcium out of Mayo Clinic’s suggested 1,000 a day (1,300 for teenagers. Purchasing boneless fish reduces the amount of calcium substantially. In addition, 3 ounces of salmon served any style offers 21.6 of the recommended 71 grams of protein a day. However, pregnant women are advised to stay away from uncooked or smoked salmon due to the associated potential health hazards.
EggsWhile pregnant women must avoid raw or undercooked eggs due to the increased risk of salmonella, the cooked variety makes for an essential addition to their diets. 1 large hard-boiled egg a day involves 6.3 grams of protein out of the suggested 71 and, according to the National Medical Library at the National Institute of Health, also serves as an excellent source of iron. They particularly recommend the yolks.
OrangesAs a citrus fruit, oranges serve as an amazing source of Vitamin C, which the National Medical Library at the National Institute of Health declares as one possible means of increasing iron absorption. Mayo Clinic also states that 1 small fruit involves 30 micrograms of folic acid. 6 ounces of fortified orange juice tacks on an additional 200 to 260 milligrams of calcium as well.
SpinachLike citrus fruits, the National Medical Library at the National Institute of Health claims that spinach and other leafy greens can help strengthen the body’s absorption of iron by up to 3 times the normal rate. ½ a cup of spinach plays host to 100 micrograms’ worth of folic acid, 3.2 milligrams of iron, and 120 milligrams of calcium.
YogurtAnother excellent and indispensable source of calcium, 8 ounces of low-fat yogurt provide 415 milligrams of the nutrient essential to fortify bones, teeth, and the circulatory, nervous, and muscular systems. Should a fetus receive an insufficient amount of calcium from its mother, it will begin leeching off its mother’s skeleton instead – rendering her far more susceptible to potentially devastating cracks and breaks.
AsparagusMayo Clinic states that 4 boiled asparagus spears offer pregnant women 85 micrograms out of the recommended 1,000 (800 prior to conception of folic acid needed in a day.
Great Northern BeansDried beans stand as an excellent source of both folic acid and protein, with ½ a cup of the Great Northern variety containing 90 micrograms of the former.
TofuFor pregnant women on staunch vegetarian or vegan diets, tofu makes for a viable enough replacement when it comes to adding protein and magnesium. The various brands of Mori-Nu, for example, contain between 4 and 6 grams per 3 ounce serving. Tofu, fortunately, is a versatile enough ingredient to be enjoyed in a wide variety of ways.
BananasConsidered a heart-healthy hallmark of sensible eating, 1 400 milligram Chiquita Banana offers pregnant women 15% of the Food Guide Pyramid’s recommended daily amount of Vitamin C, 12% of fiber, and 20% of Vitamin B6. All of these nutrients help keep a mother and her unborn child healthy and strong throughout all three trimesters.
Brown RiceNational Medical Library at the National Institute of Health touts that pregnant women ought to ingest 350-400 milligrams of magnesium a day, and brown rice and other whole grains prove an excellent source. The USDA particularly praises them as a valuable conduit for folic acid as well.
AlmondsAccording to the Almond Board of California, one ounce of almonds– or approximately 23 nuts – contains 6 grams of protein, 76 of magnesium, 3.5 of fiber, and 75 of calcium.
AvocadosNot only do avocados contain 2% of the Food Pyramid’s recommended daily value of iron, 4% of the potassium, 8% of the folate, 4% of the fiber, and 4% of the Vitamin C, but the California Avocado Commission also praises its status as a “nutrient-booster.” Consuming an avocado helps the body facilitate the absorption of alpha and beta carotene and other fat-soluble nutrients
PomegranatesThis popular super food has experienced something of a trendy resurgence lately, mostly due to its fantastic antioxidant properties. Men’s Fitness ran an article about the celebrated pomegranate, discussing how it contains 16% of the Vitamin C and 10% of the potassium needed in a day as well as 10 grams of fiber for every 1 cup.
TomatoesAccording to Gary Ibsen’s Tomato Fest farm, these internationally enjoyed, antioxidant-laden fruits also come packed with Vitamins A and C, calcium, and potassium – all nutrients necessary for a healthy pregnancy.
WalnutsThe California Walnut Commission celebrates these beloved tree nuts for their numerous healthful benefits. Pregnant women and their unborn children receive 4.6 grams of protein, 2 grams of dietary fiber, 0.9 milligrams of iron, 47 milligrams of magnesium, 0.9 milligrams of zinc, and 132 milligrams of potassium for every 30 grams of the actual edible part of the nut.
Swiss ChardIn addition to aiding the body in absorbing iron and other minerals, Swiss chard and its fellow leafy greens are also excellent sources of many nutrients necessary for healthy pregnancies. According to the University of Illinois, 1 cup of the chopped leaves hosts 3 grams of protein, 102 milligrams of calcium, 4 milligrams of iron, 960 grams of potassium, 32 milligrams of Vitamin C, and 15 micrograms of folate. It also contains 151 of the 320 milligrams of magnesium suggested by the University of Maryland Medical Center as the ideal daily intake for pregnant women. This dietary essential helps ensure normal organ formation and function.
ApplesUniversity of Illinois handily provides information on all the health benefits related to apples. An amazing fruit for the pregnant and non-pregnant alike, a fresh, medium-sized, uncooked, and unpeeled apple provides 4 grams of dietary fiber, soluble and insoluble fiber alike, 10 milligrams of calcium, .25 milligrams of iron, 8 milligrams of Vitamin C, and 4 micrograms of folate. Peeling the skin off robs the food of most of its Vitamin C, however, so pregnant women are advised to wash the apple as is before eating it to the core.
CarrotsCarrots surge with beta carotene, with only a half-cup serving providing a body with 4 times more than the recommended daily intake. Beta carotene converts itself into Vitamin A upon digestion, and the National Institute of Health statistics posit that pregnant adult women need around 2,565 International Units a day, while pregnant teenagers should take in around 2,500. University of Illinois states that one ½ cup of cooked carrots provides a staggering 19, 152 IU of Vitamin A acquired through the metabolizing of beta carotene. This valuable nutrient helps stimulate cellular and brain growth in everyone – not only fetuses and infants.
PearsPregnant women need plenty of fiber and Vitamin C to keep themselves and their , and pears provide them with one juicy route of acquisition. According to Pear Bureau Northwest, 1 medium-sized pear provides consumers with 24% of the dietary fiber and 10% of the Vitamin C recommended for a non-pregnant individual’s daily intake.
StrawberriesMany people do not realize that strawberries actually contain more Vitamin C than citrus fruits. University of Illinois outlines their benefits to everyone – not only pregnant women. 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries contains 44.84 IU of Vitamin A, 29.38 micrograms of folate, 44.82 milligrams of potassium, 16.60 milligrams of magnesium, 0.63 milligrams of iron, 23.24 milligrams of calcium, 3.81 grams of dietary fiber, 1 gram of protein, and a startling 94.12 milligrams of Vitamin C.
KaleAnother dark, leafy green, Kale is considered an excellent source of fiber, Vitamin A, calcium, and beta carotene – among others. All of these, however, are entirely necessary nutrients for pregnant women.
GrapefruitAccording to the USDA, ½ a cup of raw grapefruit – no matter the pulp color – contains 1066 IU of Vitamin A, 39.6 milligrams of Vitamin C, 9 milligrams of magnesium, 160 milligrams of potassium, and 14 milligrams of calcium. The Wheat Foods Council also praises grapefruit juice as a recommended source of folic acid, with 23 DFE per cup.
BroccoliBroccoli contains 2.4 grams of dietary fiber, 2.3 grams of protein, 49 milligrams of Vitamin C, 53.3 nanograms of folic acid, and 89 milligrams of calcium – all nutrients necessary to stimulate fetal growth and keep a mother-to-be healthy throughout her pregnancy. All nutritional statistics courtesy of University of Illinois.
Oatmeal½ a cup of original, unflavored Quaker Oats without add-ins provide the pregnant and non-pregnant both with 15% of the dietary fiber, 5 grams of the protein, and 10% of the iron needed in a day. While allowances shift when a woman is with child, that still does not change the fact that oatmeal remains one of the better menu items for her to consider.
ChickpeasAlso known as garbanzo beans and serving as one of the main ingredients of the popular hummus dip (which pregnant women may enjoy as a healthy snack, Purdue University considers chickpeas a great source of protein and dietary fiber, and Wheat Foods Council ranks it as one of the best sources of folic acid. Cooked chickpeas and pinto beans both provide between 140 and 145 DFE of folic acid per ½ cup.
OkraAccording to the Wheat Foods Council, cooked okra provides 37 DFE of folic acid for pregnant women hoping to prevent birth defects. University of Illinois offers even more nutritional information on these valuable plants. In addition to the folic acid, okra also contains 2 grams of dietary fiber, 1.52 grams of protein, 460 IU of Vitamin A, 13.04 milligrams of Vitamin C, 50.4 milligrams of calcium, 256.6 milligrams of potassium, and 46 milligrams of magnesium as well.
Sunflower Seeds½ a cup of dry-roasted sunflower seeds offer pregnant women 152 DFE of the folic acid (information courtesy of Wheat Foods Council necessary for a healthy, stable pregnancy. 1 ounce of Planter’s brand sunflower seed kernels contains 12% of the recommended daily value for dietary fiber, 4% of the calcium, and 10% of the iron. They also come laden with 23% of the total fat, and ought to be consumed in moderation as a result.
LentilsWheat Foods Council places cooked lentils as offering 180 DFE per cup, making it the best source of folic acid for pregnant women. Beyond that, however, the USA Dry Peas, Lentils and Chickpeas (a resource validated by the USDA praises it as a viable meat replacement for women with both voluntary and involuntary dietary restrictions. ¼ of a cup of lentils also provides the pregnant with 8 grams of protein, 14% of the recommended daily allowance of iron as dictated by the Food Pyramid, and 2% of both the calcium and Vitamin C.
PineapplePregnant women needing Vitamin C, manganese, and folic acid to help nurture their unborn child should consider pineapple as one possible route towards supplying these nutrients. Wheat Foods Council lists it as one of recommended sources of folic acid, with 23 DFE per cup of juice. And Maui Pineapple Company states that two slices of their fruit offers 100% of the Vitamin C needed in a day as well as significant amounts of manganese.
Portobello MushroomsAlong with lentils, portobello mushrooms serve as a meat replacement for those with strict dietary restrictions or vegetarian or vegan diets. Prevention Magazine lists these hearty fungi as containing 4 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, 778.03 milligrams of potassium, and 0.23 milligrams of manganese.
Read the rest of the list here.
Tips for Sleep During Pregnancy
Jan 12th
- Keep high protein food by the bed. Most of the time when I'm tossing and turning at 4 a.m., it's because I'm hungry. I've found plain almonds do wonders and if you soak them in water overnight, they are even better for you and easier to digest. I'm also a fan of pre-made protein smoothies or high protein snack bars. I keep my partner awake chomping on almonds in the dark and I often find a stray nut in my pillow in the morning... but it is worth it to wake up without nausea and be able to function (at least for a few hours).
- Catnaps do wonders. Some afternoons I'm so tired that I swear I could sleep for hours, and if unchecked I probably would...only to find myself wide awake again at night. Lying down for 20 minutes seems to do the trick (set an alarm!) and allows me to push through the afternoon and fall asleep at a decent hour at night. If you're at work and can find a place to close your eyes for 20 minutes, even if you don't fully fall asleep, your productivity will increase when you return, making the break worth it (at least that's what you should tell your boss ☺). If napping at work is not possible, then try getting one in before your shift or right afterward.
- Light exercise...Ugh! If you're like me, fatigue and nausea make exercise sound like torture right now. But every doctor and midwife recommends it, so I fought the urge to lie around like a sack of potatoes and tried it. Turns out, it actually makes you feel better and less lethargic! Even a 15-minute walk will bring up your energy and can help with sleep...and light exercise will get all those hormones moving through your body instead of just sitting there making you sick, so your nausea improves too!
- Let go of the "Shoulds". One of the hardest parts of managing pregnancy sleep is the societal norms that dictate what we "should" do. Who says you can't go to bed at 6:30pm? We are conditioned to feel that napping every afternoon makes us lazy and unproductive, but in reality its what your body needs and is asking for. This is a special time in your life and it requires special circumstances...so don't listen to anyone else's "shoulds". Tune into your body's needs instead and sleep when you can. From what I understand, as soon as that baby is born it stops being all about us and we are going to need all the sleep we can get!
ADHD linked to obesity during pregnancy
Jan 6th
Children are at double the risk of displaying symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder if their mother was overweight or obese when she became pregnant, according to European research.
It confirms for the first time in a large-scale study a suspected link between mothers' weight and children's mental health.
The study of nearly 2000 Swedish children identified a reduced ability to pay attention at school or preschool among those whose mothers had been overweight. This was even after taking into account the possible effects of mothers' mental health - which could influence the children's upbringing - and the children's own weight.
Children of obese mothers were also twice as likely to express negative emotions such as sadness and fear, and to have difficulty dealing with these appropriately, according to the research by Alina Rodriguez, a psychologist from the University of Uppsala. Her study followed the health of children from the first weeks of their mother's pregnancy through to age five.
Dr Rodriguez said a possible explanation was that excess weight might disrupt mothers' metabolism, making it harder for nutrients essential to brain development to reach the foetus.
Pregnancy puts huge stress on the metabolism, she said, and excessive weight gain might throw it out of balance - perhaps by raising mothers' levels of blood glucose, or of the hormone leptin.
Alternatively, the findings might result from inadequate vitamin D - which is linked to mental development and is known to be present in lower levels in overweight women - or from greater exposure to damaging chemicals, which accumulate in body fat.
Dr Rodriguez said her results, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, could not prove whether maternal obesity caused the problems.
Source
Finally, an Excuse for Pregnant Women to Eat Bacon and Eggs
Jan 4th
If you're pregnant and looking for an excuse to eat bacon and eggs, now you've got one: a new research study published in the January 2010 print issue of the FASEB Journal by a team of University of North Carolina researchers shows that choline plays a critical role in helping fetal brains develop regions associated with memory. Choline is found in meats, including pork, as well as chicken eggs.
"Our study in mice indicates that the diet of a pregnant mother, especially choline in that diet, can change the epigenetic switches that control brain development in the fetus," said Steven Zeisel, the senior scientist involved in the work and a senior member of the FASEB Journal's editorial board. "Understanding more about how diet modifies our genes could be very important for assuring optimal development."
Zeisel and colleagues made this discovery by feeding two groups of pregnant mice different diets during the window of time when a fetus develops its hippocampus, that part of the brain responsible for memory. The first group received no choline while the other received choline (1.1g/Kg). The group that received no choline had changes in epigenetic marks on the proteins (histones) that wrap genes in cells responsible for the creation of new brain cells (neural progenitor cells). Then, by isolating these cells from the developing brains and growing them in cell culture, the scientists determined the expression of genes for two proteins that regulate neuronal cell creation and maturation. These two proteins (G9a and Calb1) were changed in the brains of fetuses whose mothers were fed low choline diets.
The Agricultural Research Service says that "experts suggest that an adequate choline intake is 425 milligrams a day for women and 550 milligrams a day for men. Top sources of choline include meat, nuts, and eggs."
Source
ADHD Linked to Lead and Cigarette Exposure During Pregnancy
Nov 23rd
Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy or who were exposed to lead have more than double the risk of having attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as other children, new research shows.
And with exposure to both cigarettes and lead, the chances of having ADHD soared. Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy and whose blood showed signs of lead exposure had eight times the risk of having ADHD.
"When you have both exposures, there is a synergistic effect," said study author Dr. Tanya Froehlich, a developmental and behavioral pediatric specialist and an assistant professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
The researchers concluded that about 38 percent of ADHD cases among children aged 8 to 15 in the United States may be caused by prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke, while 25 percent of ADHD cases are due to lead exposure, according to the study in the Nov. 23 online issue of Pediatrics.
Froehlich and her colleagues used data on 2,588 children aged 8 to 15 from around the nation who took part in the 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Tobacco exposure was assessed by asking mothers if they smoked during pregnancy, while lead concentrations were measured by a blood test.
About 8.7 percent of children met the criteria for ADHD, which is marked by inattentiveness, difficulty focusing, impulsivity and hyperactivity, according to the study. The ADHD group included 16.8 percent of children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy, compared to 6.6 percent of children whose mothers did not smoke.
Lead exposure was divided into three groups: low, medium and high. About 5.2 percent of children who had the lowest lead blood levels had ADHD. About 9.1 percent of children in the middle range had ADHD, while 13.6 percent of children in the highest third had ADHD, the researchers found.
About 28.6 percent of children who were exposed to both prenatal smoking and who had higher blood lead concentrations had ADHD, Froehlich said.
Researchers did not find a strong link between exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke during childhood and ADHD.
Alarmingly, even children in the upper third had lead exposure levels lower than what the federal government considers "elevated." The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers levels of 10 micrograms per deciliter "actionable," Froehlich said. In the study, children in the upper third had blood lead levels that were 1.3 micrograms per deciliter or greater; children in the middle group had levels between 0.9 and 1.3 micrograms per deciliter.
About 250,000 U.S. children aged 1 to 5 have blood lead levels greater than 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood, according to the CDC. Though blood lead levels have generally dropped in recent years, children, particularly those in poor, inner-city neighborhoods, may still be exposed to lead from peeling paint in old buildings. Leaded paint was banned for most residential uses in the United States in 1978.
Children may also ingest lead from old water pipes, soil and toys. In the last few years there have been multiple recalls, some by major toy manufacturers such as Mattel and Fisher-Price, of products manufactured in China that contained unsafe levels of lead.
"Lead is out there, and we need to take precautions, such as making sure we keep kids away from peeling paint and make sure they practice good hand washing before they eat if they are playing in the soil," Froehlich said.
In addition, good nutrition, including making sure children have adequate levels of iron and calcium, can also protect from lead exposure. Children with iron and calcium deficiencies absorb more lead than children with better diets, Froehlich explained.
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