Bioavailability of lead in contaminated soils elevated with high carbohydrate, protein, and fat diets via influences on gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function.

High-fat diets significantly increase lead bioavailability in contaminated soils, reaching up to 91.4%, thereby elevating health risks compared to other diets.

• Why it matters: Understanding how different food components influence lead absorption is crucial for assessing health risks from soil ingestion, especially in contaminated environments.
• What they did: A mouse bioassay tested the relative bioavailability of lead with diets high in fat, protein, carbohydrate, and fiber, revealing diet-specific effects on lead absorption and intestinal health.
• The result: High-fat diets markedly increased lead absorption and intestinal damage, while dietary fiber reduced oxidative stress and protected gut barrier function, suggesting dietary strategies to mitigate lead toxicity.