1. Remove the Victim From the Source of Lead
Lead can be absorbed into our bodies over a long period of time. It can be found in lead-based paint, drinking water that passes through lead pipes, and in work environments that entail a lot of lead such as metal welding or ceramics manufacturing. In particular, beware of older buildings that were built before 1980 and still have their original pipes or indoor paint; they may contain high amounts of lead. If you live or work in these conditions, you need to get out of them immediately. Lead poisoning can't be properly treated if the victim continues to be exposed to it.
2. Eat Foods With a Lot of Iron, Calcium and Vitamin C
Iron can bond with lead in your system and make it easier to pass, while calcium can help prevent it from being absorbed in the first place. Vitamin C helps regulate iron in your body as well. A healthy mixture of foods can ensure that you receive those vitamins and minerals. Iron-rich foods include fish, beans, chicken and broccoli, while calcium can be found in most dairy products, and vitamin C appears in citrus fruits and juices.
3. Perform Chelation Therapy
Chelation therapy uses chemicals called chelating agents, which bond to heavy metals in the body and allow them to pass more readily. It was originally used in World War I to treat victims of arsenic-based poison gas. Chelation therapy usually entails a sharp increase in urination, which is a good sign; it means that the lead is being removed from the body. Side effects often affect the kidneys and the liver, which can be damaged by chelating agents. Therefore, chelation therapy should only be administered under a doctor's care.
4. Know That Some Effects Will Be Permanent
Lead poisoning is treated best through prevention and by removing the amount of lead in your environment. Long-term effects of lead poisoning include damage to the nervous system, hearing problems, restricted growth, and brain damage--especially in growing children who are exposed to lead. Though treatment can halt such damage and remove lead from the system, it cannot reverse what the lead has already done.
