RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Interaction between metals is known from earlier studies, in which one metal influences the absorption and functional role of other. Lead is known to cause debilitating effects in living organisms and also prevents several essential trace metals from functioning normally. METHODS: The relevant literature using the key words lead toxicity, lead zinc interaction, zinc nutrition and the ability of zinc to act against lead has been reviewed. RESULTS: Role of several nutrients in reducing the manifestations of toxic metals have been elucidated recently. Lead damages bio-membranes, causes cognitive disabilities and disturbs the normal process of DNA replication and transcription. Zinc on the other hand helps in proper maintenance of the cellular membranes and plays an important role as a metal cofactor in most of the proteins vital for membrane integrity. Zinc has essential role in cognitive functioning, zinc finger proteins and significantly neutralizes most toxic effects of lead. CONCLUSION: Increased lead exposure and limited resources for tackling lead poisoning may cause an increased possibility of future environmental emergencies. Interactions between essential nutrient metals and non-essential toxic metals may act as important factor which can be used to target the metal toxicities. An assumption is made that the lead toxicity can be reduced by maintaining the status of essential trace metals like zinc.