Get the Lead Out! Another case of lead in dietary supplements

Last week I wrote about possible lead contamination of calcium supplements (Get the Lead Out! Could there be lead in our calcium supplements?) and today I’m writing about lead contamination in another dietary supplement. When will this madness end?

The FDA is warning consumers not to purchase or consume a dietary supplement called Vita Breath because it may contain “high” levels of lead. The supplement is marketed to children and adults with asthma and to support among other things, the respiratory system.

And how did this contamination come to light? Was it the FDA that discovered this problem? Hardly lightly. It seems that some poor sod became ill after taking Vita Breath together with some other herbal products. Since most states have a reporting system for both presumed and confirmed cases of lead toxicity, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene was informed. It was this agency that informed the FDA.

According to Total Recall Info , The New York City Department of Health and Mental hygiene tested samples of Vita Breath and found that it contained 1,100 parts per million of lead. The allowable FDA level is .1 parts per million of lead. In plain English, the Vita Breath sample had 10,000 times the allowable level.

We haven’t heard anything as yet from the FDA watchdog and their test results.

Lead is very toxic. Here is a list of possible lead poisoning complications taken from the Lead Action News:

1. Altered testicular functioning
2. Hypospermia [low sperm count]
3. Asthenospermia [sperm weakness]
4. Teratospermia [sperm abnormalities]
5. Erectile dysfunction, impotence
6. Decreased serum testosterone
7. Lead presence in seminal fluid
8. Pituitary effects
9. Sterility, infertility
10. Effects on ovaries
11. Decreased libido / sex drive
12. Impotence

Kidneys

1. Renal damage
2. Chronic lead nephropathy [kidney disease]
3. Death from nephritis [kidney inflammation]
4. Fanconi Syndrome
5. Gout
6. Renal hypertension
7. Increase in creatinine concentration

Nervous system

1. Encephalopathy [brain disease]
2. Cerebrovascular diseases, stroke, cerebral haemorrhage
3. Psychomotor impairment
4. Peripheral nervous system impairment [eg wrist-drop]
5. Peripheral Arterial Disease
6. Slowed nerve conduction velocity [slowed reaction time]
7. Tremor
8. Paresthesia, paralysis

Cardiovascular and circulation

1. Hypertension, elevated blood pressure
2. Increased systolic blood pressure in men
3. Cardio-toxic effects
4. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
5. Coronary artery disease
6. Anaemia; falling haemoglobin levels
7. Platelet dysfunction
8. Increased erythrocyte [red blood cell] protoporphyrin
9. Increased ALA in urine
10. Increased protoporphyrin in urine
11. Increased risk of early death from heart attack or stroke

Intellectual and mental

1. Depression
2. Anxiety
3. Personality changes
4. Death from violence, suicide, accidents
5. Impaired concentration
6. Deficits in short term memory
7. Cognitive function deficit

Behavior

1. Fatigue, muscular exhaustion
2. Sleep disturbance, insomnia
3. Irritability, agitation, restlessness, aggression

Sensory

1. Abnormalities in visuomotor coordination
2. Abnormalities in fine motor control
3. Deficits in visual acuity
4. Hearing loss
5. Somatosensory dysfunction [eg deficits in detection of vibration, changes in temperature]

Gastrointestinal / Digestive

1. Effects on gastrointestinal tract
2. Loss of appetite
3. Nausea
4. Constipation, diarrhoea
5. Abdominal pain, cramps
6. Weight loss, anorexia

Bone, muscle and joint

1. Bone marrow alterations
2. Myalgia [muscle pain]
3. Pain in buttocks and cramps in the legs as early stages of peripheral arterial diseases
4. Muscular weakness
5. Arthralgia [joint pain]
6. Bone marrow alterations
7. Bone lead mobilisation during menopause leads to decreased neurocognitive performance and increased systolic blood pressure in post-menopausal women
8. Wrist drop [the inability to hold the hand extended]
9. Long term effect: linked to osteoporosis which has symptoms of decline in bone density and increase risk in fractures, also inhibit normal fracture healing

Other

1. Headaches
2. Decreased longevity
3. Adrenal dysfunction
4. Teeth with blueblack-lines near gum base
5. Pallor
6. Cell damage (at blood lead level between 20 to 30 mg/dL for men and between 10 to 20 mg/dL for women)
7. Probable human carcinogen

Death

1. Increased risk of early death from cancer and all other causes

If you know anyone who has taken this product please refer them immediately to a medical professional.

Vita Breath is manufactured by American Herbal Lab Inc. and their website is coincidentally “temporarily down for maintenance.”  Remember that dietary supplements can be marketed without demonstrating either safety or effectiveness and do not need to be FDA approved.

And just some food for thought, why does the FDA allow any lead in our food supply to begin with?

To avoid toxicities like lead it is in our best interest to choose a dietary supplement that are made to pharmaceutical grade.