Link Between Ultra-Processed Foods, Prenatal Heavy Metals, and Child Brain Development

Recent research published in the World Journal of Experimental Medicine highlights the potential impact of ultra-processed foods on prenatal heavy metal exposure and subsequent effects on child neurodevelopment. Dr. Renee Dufault from the Food Ingredient and Health Research Institute presents a protocol for investigating how high consumption of ultra-processed foods during pregnancy might elevate heavy metals like lead and mercury in expectant mothers. These heavy metals are known to interfere with critical biological processes, particularly affecting metallothionein, a zinc-dependent protein involved in detoxification.

Previous studies have indicated that zinc deficiencies can lead to reduced metallothionein levels, fostering the accumulation of toxic metals in children. This accumulation is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD. The new protocol builds on prior clinical trials, aiming to measure how dietary interventions focused on reducing ultra-processed food intake can alter blood levels of heavy metals and zinc during pregnancy.

The study proposes a randomized control trial where pregnant women in the intervention group receive nutritional education aimed at decreasing ultra-processed foods while increasing whole foods rich in zinc. Researchers will analyze blood and cord blood samples to assess changes in heavy metal and zinc levels, and potential risks for neurodevelopmental disorders in infants.

Dr. Dufault’s research emphasizes nutritional epigenetics—the study of how diet influences gene expression—particularly in the context of heavy metal detoxification. Heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium frequently contaminate the food supply, including baby foods, as reports from Congress in 2021 have revealed. These contaminants can exacerbate developmental issues, prompting the need for dietary strategies to mitigate exposure.

Overall, this research advocates for better understanding how dietary modification during pregnancy can lower children’s risk of neurodevelopmental disorders by reducing toxic metal burden and supporting beneficial gene expression related to detoxification mechanisms.

For additional details, see the study: Renee J Dufault, Biomarkers for tracking metabolic changes pre-post nutritional epigenetics diet/intervention to prevent autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders in children, World Journal of Experimental Medicine (2025). [DOI: 10.5493/wjem.v15.i2.101555]