Interactions between nutrition and environmental exposures:: Effects on health outcomes in women and children

Exposure to environmental chemicals is increasing globally. Nutritional status may modify susceptibility to chemical exposures. However, there are a large number of toxicants, and malnutrition takes many forms including deficiency and excess. Thus, the relation between environmental exposures and nutritional status is complex. The symposium on Heavy Metal Exposures in Women and Children, the Role of Nutrients, presented at Experimental Biology 2007 examined interactions among nutritional status, nutrients, and heavy metals in vulnerable populations. The aim was to encourage nutritionists to consider environmental exposures in nutrition research. This introductory article highlights examples of nutrient-toxicant interactions.