The influence of nutrition on methyl mercury intoxication

This article reviews progress in the research of methyl mercury (MeHg) and nutrient interactions during the past two decades. Special emphasis is plac ed on the following three major areas: a) effects on kinetics, b) effects o n toxicity, and c) possible mechanisms. Dietary information is not usually collected in most epidemiologic studies examining of the effects of MeHg ex posure. However, inconsistency of the MeHg toxicity observed in different p opulations is commonly attributed to possible effects of dietary modulation . Even though the mechanisms of interaction have not been totally elucidate d, research in nutritional toxicology has provided insights into the unders tanding of the effects of nutrients on MeHg toxicity. Some of this informat ion can be readily incorporated into the risk assessment of MeHg in the die ts of fish-eating populations. It is also clear that there is a need for mo re studies designed specifically to address the role of nutrition in the me tabolism and detoxification of MeHg. It is also important to collect more d etailed dietary information in future epidemiologic studies of MeHg exposur e.