Mattel Toy Recall - Reduce the Risk and Prevent Lead Toxicity in Children

With a recall of close to 21 million toys; Mattel Toy manufacturer and
parents of children playing with Mattel toys, like Sesame Street
characters, Barbie and Polly Pocket, Batman and Fisher-Price trains,
face significant fear of potential cases of lead poisoning and high
lead toxicity levels in children.

For worrysome parents wondering if
their children are impacted by potential lead toxicity; there are a few
signs to watch out for as well as a few dietary adjustments that can
positively effect children's health.Lead toxicity has been problematic
for children world wide and has been recognized for thousands of years.
Sypmtoms characterized by lead poisoning are colicky abdominal pains,
vomiting, fagitue, dizziness, headaches, anemia and even seizures.
Often children do not present symptoms and your best bet is to have
their blood tested for lead. Parents can help safeguard their
children's natural defenses against lead poisoning by feeding their
children an organic diet rich in iron, calcium and fiber. Foods rich in
iron and calcium reduce lead absorption. Additionally, diets high in
fiber decrease lead absorption.

Fortified whole grain breads and
cereals are key in your child's diet. Avoid high fat diets as they
speed lead absorption. Two super foods to prevent lead poisoning:
Spinach and Brown Rice.Children absorb lead either through inhalation
or ingestion; they absorb 30% more lead than adults. In the body, lead
alters cellular and mitochondiral membranes; ultimately harming and
impacting cells. Often this impact is classified as cellular fragility.
It is particularly most harmful in children who's cells are growing at
rapid speeds and it retards the release of human growth hormone and can
cause learning disabilities, behavior problems and even organ damage.
According to Rania Habal, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of
Emergency Medicine at New York Medicine College: Lead Exposure/Lead
Poisoning symptoms to look for based on toxicity levels include:

Mild toxicity -

Fatigue, loss of interest in play and leisure activity, mood
disorders, irritability, aggressive behavior, sleep
disturbances

Moderate toxicity -

Headache, fatigue, insomnia, dizziness,
tremors, hyperreflexia, numbness of the lower extremities

Severe toxicity -

Lead encephalopathy that may occur with or without cerebral
edema, headaches with vomiting, lethargy alternating with lucidity,
bizarre and aggressive behavior, clumsiness, loss of coordination,
altered sensorium, seizures, and coma

Mild toxicity -

Anorexia,constipation, intermittent severe abdominal pain

Moderate toxicity -

Abdominal pain, anorexia and weight loss, constipation, diarrhea

Severe toxicity -

Severe abdominal pain; vomiting and diarrhea with extensive
fluid losses, leading to circulatory collapse

Other -

Moderate lead
toxicity is associated with musculoskeletal symptoms, including bone
and joint pains and muscular weakness, especially of the dominant upper
extremity.An organic diet will always has a positive impact on your
children's heath and wellbeing and can reduce other risk factors as
well as limit lead absorption.