Wild game can cause high levels of lead in the blood
Most people who eat wild game consider it to be healthier than the factory farm options stacked up on grocery store shelves. For the most part, they're right. But as with everything else, there's always the exception to the rule.
A North Dakota study revealed that those who ate wild game that was slain using lead bullets had higher levels of lead in their blood.
While the study claimed the elevated lead levels were not high enough to be considered dangerous, North Dakota health officials thought the discovery significant enough to issue a state-wide recommendation that pregnant women and children under the age of six should steer clear of venison that was "harvested" (you've gotta love that euphemism) with lead bullets.
Lead is a nasty, dangerous substance to ingest – especially at a young age. It's highly toxic, and too much exposure to the stuff can result in chronic learning disorders, nervous convulsions, brain damage, and even death.
Dr. Stephen Pickard, lead researcher of the study, said, "Nobody was in trouble from the lead levels… the effect was small but large enough to be a concern."
Maybe so… but for all you hunters out there who are coming home with a 10-point buck — you might want to think twice before serving it up for dinner — especially if you're feeding a pregnant woman or young children.
Just some food for thought,
DR.D