Lead toxicity associated with imported Ayurvedic dietary supplements

Health Canada has recently posted an alert with regards to Ayurvedic dietary supplements. There are several Ayurvedic dietary supplements that have been found to have high levels of heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic, and mercury. Toxicity from these metals may pose a serious health risk if accumulated in vital organs; children are most susceptible to these toxic effects.

These products are not being sold in Canada, but may have been brought in to the Canadian market from the United States or India through internet sales or travellers.

In 2005, Health Canada advised the public not to use certain Ayurvedic supplements due to the high levels of heavy metals. Recently, in Ontario, an investigation of lead toxicity was linked to the use of Ayurvedic products. Symptoms of lead toxicity include: abdominal pain, anemia and neurological dysfunction.

For more information about ayurvedic supplements and lead toxicity, please see the attached fact sheet that has been developed by Public Health Ontario (PHO).