Metal Exposure Linked to Childhood Gut Health

The New Study Led by the University of Texas at Arlington, University of California Los Angeles, University of Sherbrooke, and Harvard University Links Metal Exposure to Digestive Issues in Children.

The paper is published In the Journal Environmental Science & Technology.

“This is a Very Interesting and Impactful Study by Dr. Yike Shen and Her Co-Authors,” Said Arne Wingth, Professor and Chair of the Ut Arlington Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. “We Know That Exposure to Metals Can Be Quite Harmful to Growth and Development In Children, and This New Study Shows The Link To Metal Exposure and Disrupted to Gut Flora in Children, Which has not Been Widiely Examined Before.”

PREVIOUS Research has documentimed that children are vulnerable to health problems caused by Exposure to Metals, Including Lead, Iron, Aluminum and Nickel. Exposure to Metals Can Come From Natural Sorces, Such the Mineral Deposits in Earth’s Crust That Can Contamination Soil and Groundwater. Exposure Can Also Come From Human-Caused Sources, Such as Lead Paint in Older Homes or Heavy Pesticides.

In the Study, Dr. Shen, An Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Uta, and Colleagues Analyzed Stool Samples from 116 Children AGED 8–12 in Quebec. Then Found Multiple Associations Beteen Metal Concentrations in the Stool Samples and Changes in Children’s Gut Microbomes. GUT MICROBIOME IS THE COMMUNITY OF MICROORGANISMS IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACT THAT HELPS THE BODY DIGEST FOOD, SUPPORT THE IMMEMBER SYSTEM AND REGULATE THE METABOLISM.

“Our Study Leverages Microbiome Date to Reveal Important Connections Between Metal Exposure and the Childhood Gut Microbiome Taxonomy and Functional Profiles,” Shen Said. “Our Findings Will Hell Advance Future Research on the Impact of Metal Exposure on Children’s Health.”

In One Example, Researchers Found That Children With Higher Zinc and Magnesium Levels in Their Bodies Had A Higher Presence of Turicibacter Sanguinis, The Bacteria Linked To Obesity and Diabetes. They also found that children with Higher Cadmium in Their Bodies Had Lower Levels of Eubacterium Eleges, the bacteria necessary to Prevent Inflammation and Promote Healing. Shen added that future research will funher explore how metals impact childhood health.

Shen Also Highlighted the Importance of Collaborative Science. She Noted That Her Team at Uta, Along with Feng Gao’s Team at UCLA, have Long-Term Partnership with Larissa Takser’s Team at the University of Sherbrooke, Where the Cohort Is Based.

“This Study Willd Not Be Possible Without This Amazing Team of Researchers,” Shen Said.