Mitigating Arsenic Related Health Problems in Bangladeshi Populations by Introducing High-Selenium Lentils Into the Everyday Diet
Lead Investigator(s)
Dr. Judit Smits
Lead Investigator(s) Institution
University of Calgary - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Objective
To perform a double-blind, randomized controlled trial to determine whether incorporation of high-selenium lentils into the daily diet, providing at least the recommended daily allowance (US-FDA RDA) of selenium, can decrease the body burden of arsenic, evident by higher arsenic excretion in urine and/or feces and decreased deposition in hair, when compared to the treatment group on low-selenium lentil consumption.
Outcome
No adverse health effects of high- or low-selenium lentil consumption were observed in the participants. The study showed significantly higher urinary excretion of arsenic in the high-selenium lentil group. Selenium levels in blood increased significantly in participants who consumed the high-selenium lentils. Women in the high-selenium group exhibited lower total cholesterol levels at 3 months of the trial, and men in that group had a significantly higher HDL cholesterol proportion, which is considered the “good” cholesterol.
Health
SPG Contribution
$283,170.00
Project Status
Complete
Duration/Timeline of Project (Year to Year)
2016 - 2019