High-selenium Lentils Versus Arsenic Toxicity

About 45 million people in Bangladesh are chronically exposed to unacceptable levels of arsenic in their drinking water. Chronic arsenic poisoning leads to cancers, and vascular diseases. This dietary trial intends to test the potential of high-selenium lentils, consumed as lentil soup, in reducing the arsenic body burden in an exposed Bangladeshi population, and in improving the overall health status. Arsenic-exposed families will be assigned to one of two groups. One group will eat lentils (50g/person/day) that are naturally high in selenium, the other group will receive lentils with low selenium content. This 6 months trial is randomized and double-blinded.