People who have accidentally swallowed heavy metal salts (such as those with mercury, silver or lead) may be g

Question

People who have accidentally swallowed heavy metal salts (such as those with mercury, silver or lead) may be g
People who have accidentally swallowed heavy metal salts (such as those with mercury, silver or lead) may be given egg white as an emergency treatment Explain why egg whites would be used?

Answer 1

Heavy metals swallowed can cause poisoning so as an emergency treatment egg whites are given.

This is how it works: The molecules of the main protein contents of egg white called "ovalbumin" chelates to heavy metals and traps the metal ions within the sulfhydryl bonds of the protein. Chelation will prevent the absorption of the metals into the gastrointestinal tract and therefore can prevent poisoning.