**4. Evidence in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico**

Guanajuato is a Mexican state located in the middle area of the country and according to the 2015 intercensal National Population Census, Guanajuato has 5,853,677 inhabitants, representing 4.9% of the total population of the country. Guanajuato is divided into 6 socioeconomic and geographic regions with 46 municipalities [71]. Since 2005, the risks of arsenic exposure in drinking water have been studied in some rural populations belonging to the State of Guanajuato [72]. In a comparative study in children of 10 years of age on average, arsenic levels were found in hair above the norm (from <0.006 to 1.3 mg/kg) and for the control group <0.006 mg/kg of arsenic [72]; however, it was found that children with non-standard levels of arsenic in hair, referred to drinking only carafe water and not tap water, which was explained because the water used to prepare soups, broths or beans, was used tap water [73]. On the other hand, only 26% had an adequate energy intake and the consumption of protein, folic acid, zinc and fiber was low according to RDA and children used to have mainly soft drinks, fried foods and processed foods [74]. Another study was applied in 352 households (heads of family) and measuring experiences related to access to water [sufficiency, safety (safety),

acceptability, availability and accessibility], 33.4% of households reported concern about not having access to water and 74.8% had no access. About 70.8% had to buy water to drink and 5.7% became ill and related it to water consumption. About 65.6% of households presented food insecurity. The correlation was significant for the level of schooling of female heads of household, the number of households with children aged 1 and 12 with the use of tap water for drinking, preparing powdered milk for children and for food at home and fresh water [70, 75], which reflects the problem of exposure to various pollutants.

#### **4.1 Main health problems in the state of Guanajuato**

Studies conducted regarding lifestyles and eating habits have found a deterioration in it, where the child and adolescent population are the first years of key life of growth and development, have a low consumption in fruit, vegetables and legumes (beans and lentils), which reflects risks of the absence of having prebiotics that allow maintaining intestinal health (microbiota) [71, 72]. Studies have shown a decrease in breastfeeding that so far during 2019 are changing these figures in Guanajuato but before that, the time of breastfeeding identified was 4.3 months in a range of not breastfeeding up to 7.3 months maximum [71, 72]. It is known that breastfeeding is the best food that promotes intestinal health and thus the microbiota. Guanajuato, as well as several regions of Mexico and in the world, has high rates of prematurity, teenage pregnancy and diabetes, which has a strong component with lifestyles and if we combine environmental pollution problems, we will face an obvious risk. For the first known biotransformation mechanism is the microbiota, but studies are still scarce [72, 73].

Regarding the stage of pregnancy, a study found reports of 26% of the mothers who reported a consumption of soda at least twice a week and preferred to buy already processed foods than prepared at home. The consumption of fruit, vegetables, legumes, cereals and tubers were low. This reflects problems of access to food and with its food insecurity, in addition to worrying about not having enough access to water, and in the last 3 months, 50% of households experienced water shortages. Most households used tap water to prepare milk for the children, as well as for personal hygiene. About 25% of the interviews reported that water availability has decreased in their homes, while the cost of water has increased [74].

#### **4.2 Dietary and food intervention in the region**

Derived from studies with arsenic and knowing its metabolism in addition to deterioration in lifestyles [74], the effect of vitamin and mineral supplementation on nutritional status and urinary excretion of arsenic in a group of 45 exposed adolescents was measured to this metal through drinking water [7], supplementation was provided daily for 4 weeks for subsequent weekly assessment of nutritional status and arsenic levels in urine and drinking water. It was observed that the basal nutritional intake was low for protein, fiber, folic acid, vitamin B2, B6, B12, E, C, selenium and iron, as well as the increase of 1 g/dL of hemoglobin in all participants, at the end of the intervention in addition to an increase in fat-free mass and decrease in the percentage of body fat; the average arsenic consumption of drinking water in participants was 96.2 ± 7.5 μg/L with a urinary excretion of arsenic in the first week of intervention [35.91 μg/g Cr (95% CI = 23.2–74.8 μg/g Cr)] resulting higher, which was statistically significant compared with baseline urinary arsenic levels [43.2 μg/g Cr (95% CI = 30.8–117.6 μg/g Cr)] (p < 0.05).

From several species of quelites, which are endemic plants of Mexico, its vast nutritional composition is known. A recent study, evaluated three types of quelites

**159**

*Role of the Microbiome as the First Metal Detoxification Mechanism*

(purslane-*Portulaca oleracea*-;quintonil-*Amaranthus spp.*- *and quelite ash or green quelite-Chenopodium album*-) from Mexico, determined their nutritional composition, antioxidant capacity and physicochemical analysis finding considerable levels of carotenoids (2.85 mg/g DW) and the highest antioxidant activity. The nutritional

content of iron, calcium and magnesium were higher for *quintonyl*, while for phosphorus, potassium and zinc was higher in quelite ash [75]. The ash and purslane quelite showed similar antioxidant activity but a higher level in the phenolic and flavonoid content, while the quintonil showed the presence of chlorophyll and

The chapter closes in a compilation of studies that reflect that despite the changes in lifestyle with a greater deterioration in healthy habits and therefore the consumption of an adequate diet (low in fruit and vegetables) and with it a low contribution in nutrients that promote the growth of the microbiota as well as in fiber which is known to have a probiotic effect, the consumption of fruit such as banana, apple and orange that is seasonal and low-cost fruit is preserved; of vegetables such as onion used as a condiment or in the preparation of most Mexican foods such as broths and sauces, as well as the consumption of beans (legume group), which are

Despite the little evidence, it is clear that the maintenance and promotion of the microbiota is to have a nutritious or adequate, varied, balanced, sufficient diet; as well as considering the alternatives of consuming fermented and probiotic-added dairy products, locally produced nutrients that are known to counteract non-toxic exposures such as those already reviewed, as is the case of prolonged exposure to arsenic, through food and drinking water, as it increases the risk of cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure, among other diseases. The typical Mexican diet is high in soluble fiber, key nutrients such as antioxidants, proteins are beans, tortilla plantain, orange, chili, quelites, showing that they co-help with a greater arsenic

It is suggested to continue expanding the evidence of the combination of foods from a diet and lifestyle in general, mainly in women during the menopause period and pregnancy, due to a greater susceptibility to the development of anemia and resorption. Bone with exposure to metals such as lead or cadmium, since arsenic and fluoride are not the only contaminants that have been described in Guanajuato, the presence of lead, chromium and mercury, among the main ones, is known, and it is necessary Scale these experiences to combine nutritional treatment and drug

protein concentration higher than those found in the quelite ash.

rich in antioxidants, soluble fiber rich in fructooligosaccharides.

excretion through the urinary tract.

The authors declare none conflict interest.

therapy with chelators.

**Conflict of interest**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89232*

**5. Conclusions**

*Role of the Microbiome as the First Metal Detoxification Mechanism DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89232*

(purslane-*Portulaca oleracea*-;quintonil-*Amaranthus spp.*- *and quelite ash or green quelite-Chenopodium album*-) from Mexico, determined their nutritional composition, antioxidant capacity and physicochemical analysis finding considerable levels of carotenoids (2.85 mg/g DW) and the highest antioxidant activity. The nutritional content of iron, calcium and magnesium were higher for *quintonyl*, while for phosphorus, potassium and zinc was higher in quelite ash [75]. The ash and purslane quelite showed similar antioxidant activity but a higher level in the phenolic and flavonoid content, while the quintonil showed the presence of chlorophyll and protein concentration higher than those found in the quelite ash.
