Posted on 12/10/2023 7:45:02 PM PST by ConservativeMind
A study explores the potential adverse effects of arsenic on immune responses in children, which can make them more vulnerable to infectious diseases by reducing vaccine effectiveness. However, the study also suggests that folate—vitamin B9 essential for metabolic processes—might play a role in mitigating these effects.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that exists at high levels in the groundwater of some countries, including the United States.
"People who have chronic exposure to arsenic are more likely to experience various health problems, including cancers and other non-cancerous diseases," said Taehyun Roh, Ph.D. "In addition, arsenic exposure not only increases inflammation, but also suppresses the immune function, and fetuses and young children are especially vulnerable."
The researchers examined how arsenic exposure affects the immunity associated with childhood vaccination for measles. Roh analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to study the relationship between urinary arsenic and measles antibody levels in 476 U.S. children aged six to 11.
The team utilized biomonitoring data, including urine samples for total inorganic arsenic and serum samples for measles IgG antibody and folate levels. The team considered several factors such as age, race, smoking exposure, dietary intake of vitamin B12 and selenium, poverty index ratio, and participants' growth and body mass index.
The analysis revealed a significant decrease in measles antibody concentrations with increasing urinary arsenic levels in children with low serum folate levels. The measles antibody levels dropped even more as their urinary arsenic levels increased in boys with low serum folate levels. "This means that boys with high arsenic exposure and low folate intake may have reduced protection against measles," Roh said.
"Folate can mitigate the toxic effects of chronic arsenic exposure by increasing arsenic metabolism and facilitating its removal from our bodies more quickly," Roh explained.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.