Lead poisoning affects about one-third of children worldwide and can harm their brains and learning abilities. Researchers tested whether a special type of helpful bacteria called Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, combined with vitamins and minerals, could help remove lead from children’s bodies. In a 12-week study with 54 children aged 3-12 who had high lead levels, both the group taking the bacteria and the group taking a placebo (fake treatment) saw their blood lead levels drop by about 40%. The bacteria group also showed more lead leaving their bodies through urine and reported fewer stomach problems. While results are promising, scientists say more research is needed before recommending this treatment widely.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a specific type of helpful bacteria (probiotic) combined with vitamins could help reduce lead levels in children’s blood
  • Who participated: 54 children between ages 3 and 12 who had elevated lead in their blood. They were split into two groups: one received the bacteria supplement plus vitamins, and the other received a fake pill plus the same vitamins
  • Key finding: Both groups reduced their blood lead levels by about 40% over 12 weeks. The bacteria group showed slightly more lead leaving their bodies through urine at 8 weeks, and kids in that group reported fewer stomach aches
  • What it means for you: This suggests that probiotics might be a helpful addition to standard lead removal strategies, but it’s still early research. Parents shouldn’t rely on this alone—removing the lead source and good nutrition remain the most important steps. Talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of medical studies. Researchers randomly assigned children to two groups: one received a probiotic (helpful bacteria) supplement containing 1 billion colony-forming units daily, while the other group received a placebo (fake pill) that looked identical. Both groups also received the same multivitamin and mineral supplement. Neither the children, parents, nor researchers knew who was getting the real bacteria and who was getting the fake treatment—this is called “double-blind” and helps prevent bias. The study lasted 12 weeks and took place at multiple medical centers, making the results more reliable. Researchers measured blood lead levels at the start and end, checked urine lead levels at 8 weeks, and asked about symptoms like stomach pain and mood changes.

Using a placebo control group is crucial because it shows whether improvements come from the bacteria itself or just from attention and vitamins. The double-blind design prevents expectations from influencing results. Testing at multiple centers and following children for 12 weeks provides more trustworthy information than a single location or shorter timeframe. This careful approach helps scientists understand if the bacteria truly helps or if other factors explain the improvements.

Strengths: This was a well-designed randomized controlled trial with a placebo group, which is the gold standard for testing treatments. The bacteria was well-tolerated with no serious side effects. Weaknesses: The study was relatively small (54 children who completed it), which means results might not apply to all children. It only lasted 12 weeks, so we don’t know about long-term effects. The researchers note this is preliminary research and larger, longer studies are needed to confirm the findings.

What the Results Show

Both the probiotic group and the placebo group experienced similar reductions in blood lead levels—about 40% lower after 12 weeks. This was somewhat surprising because it suggests that the multivitamin and mineral supplement alone may be doing most of the work. However, the probiotic group showed some additional benefits: at the 8-week mark, children taking the bacteria had more lead leaving their bodies through urine compared to the placebo group. This suggests the bacteria might be helping the body eliminate lead more efficiently, even if the final blood lead numbers were similar. Additionally, children in the probiotic group reported fewer stomach aches and fewer emotional or mood-related complaints by week 12 compared to the placebo group.

The probiotic was very safe and well-tolerated—no children experienced serious side effects or problems. Importantly, neither group showed signs of losing important minerals like calcium, iron, or zinc, which is good because these minerals are essential for health. The reduction in stomach pain and mood symptoms in the probiotic group is noteworthy because lead exposure can cause these problems, so any improvement is valuable for children’s overall well-being.

Previous laboratory studies (done in test tubes and animals) suggested that probiotics might help reduce lead, which is why researchers decided to test this in real children. This study is one of the first to test this specific bacteria in children with high lead levels. The results align with earlier research showing that good nutrition helps the body handle lead better. However, the fact that the placebo group improved almost as much as the probiotic group suggests that the multivitamin and mineral supplement may be the primary helper, with probiotics providing additional modest benefits.

The study was relatively small with only 54 children completing it, so results might not apply to all children everywhere. The study only lasted 12 weeks, so we don’t know if benefits continue longer or if lead levels rise again after stopping the supplements. The study didn’t test the bacteria alone—both groups got vitamins and minerals, making it hard to know exactly how much the bacteria contributed. Some children dropped out before finishing, which can affect results. The researchers themselves note this is preliminary work and larger, longer studies are needed.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, probiotics combined with multivitamins and minerals may be a helpful additional strategy for children with elevated lead levels (moderate confidence level). However, the most important steps remain: (1) identifying and removing the source of lead exposure, (2) ensuring good nutrition with vitamins and minerals, and (3) following your doctor’s recommendations. This should not replace medical supervision or chelation therapy if your doctor recommends it for higher lead levels. Always consult with your pediatrician before starting any new supplements.

This research is most relevant for parents of children with elevated blood lead levels who are looking for additional ways to support their child’s health. Healthcare providers treating lead-exposed children may find this information useful as a complementary approach. Children with lead levels above 3.5 μg/dL are the focus of this research. This is NOT a substitute for medical treatment—it’s a potential addition to standard care. Children with very high lead levels may need chelation therapy, which is a different medical treatment.

In this study, blood lead levels dropped by 40% within 12 weeks. However, this doesn’t mean all children will see results this quickly or dramatically. Some children may see improvements faster, while others may take longer. The bacteria showed more lead leaving the body through urine at 8 weeks, suggesting changes might start happening within 2 months. Stomach pain and mood improvements were noticed by week 12. Realistic expectations: give it at least 8-12 weeks to see if it’s helping, and work closely with your doctor to monitor progress through blood tests.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly blood lead levels (through doctor visits) and daily probiotic supplement intake. Also monitor and record any changes in symptoms: stomach pain frequency (0-10 scale), mood/behavior changes, energy levels, and concentration/school performance. Create a simple weekly checklist: Did child take supplement? Any stomach issues? Any behavior changes?
  • Set a daily reminder to take the probiotic supplement at the same time each day (such as with breakfast). Pair it with the multivitamin/mineral supplement to create a simple routine. Keep a simple symptom diary noting any changes in how the child feels, focusing on stomach comfort and mood. Schedule regular doctor visits to check blood lead levels and discuss progress.
  • Use the app to log supplement adherence daily (did they take it or not?). Set monthly reminders for blood lead level testing through your doctor. Track symptom changes weekly using a simple rating system. Create a graph showing lead level trends over time as test results come in. Set alerts for doctor appointments to ensure regular monitoring. Compare notes monthly to see if there are patterns in symptom improvement alongside lead level changes.

This research is preliminary and should not replace medical advice from your child’s doctor. Lead exposure requires professional medical evaluation and management. Do not use probiotics as a substitute for identifying and removing lead sources or for prescribed medical treatments like chelation therapy. Always consult with your pediatrician before starting any new supplements, especially for children with elevated lead levels. Blood lead levels should be monitored regularly by a healthcare provider. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.