ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Pregnant women who take high levels of calcium supplements -- 1,200 milligrams daily -- had up to 31 percent less lead in their blood, U.S. researchers said.

The findings, published online in Environmental Health Perspectives, suggests calcium could play a critical role in reducing fetal and infant exposure to lead. The study found the average reduction of blood lead levels at about 11 percent.

Senior author Howard Hu of the University of Michigan School of Public Health said the study is the first known randomized study examining calcium supplementation on lead levels in pregnant women.

"We and others have previously shown that during pregnancy, mothers can transfer lead from their bones to their unborn -- with significant adverse consequences -- making maternal bone lead stores a threat even if current environmental lead exposures are low," Hu said in a statement.

"The bottom line is that obstetricians and pediatricians should consider adding calcium supplementation to the prenatal vitamins normally recommended in pregnant women, particularly if their patients have a significant history of environmental or occupational lead exposure."

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