True or False: A poor diet can exacerbate lead absorption.

A poor diet can exacerbate lead absorption, making the statement true. Nutritional deficiencies can significantly influence how lead is absorbed in the body. For instance, diets lacking in essential nutrients, particularly calcium, iron, and vitamin C, can increase the body’s tendency to absorb lead. When the body is deficient in these nutrients, it will more readily absorb lead from the environment or from sources such as dust, soil, or paint. This is particularly important in vulnerable populations, such as children, whose developing bodies are more susceptible to the harmful effects of lead exposure. Ensuring an adequate intake of these nutrients can help reduce lead absorption and its associated health risks. Thus, the assertion that a poor diet has this exacerbating effect is indeed accurate.