Association between Dietary Zinc Intake, Serum Zinc Level and Multiple Comorbidities in Older Adults

Abstract

Zinc is one of the essential micronutrients in the geriatric population, but the importance of zinc status and dietary zinc intake has been poorly characterized. We aimed to explore the relationships among dietary zinc intake, serum zinc concentrations and multimorbidity in a cross-sectional study of 300 employees of Electric Generating Authority of Thailand aged ≥ 60 years. Comprehensive questionnaires were completed, and clinical and laboratory assessments were performed. Factors associated with low serum zinc concentrations were identified using multivariate multinomial logistic regression analyses. The mean serum zinc level was 80.5 (12.8) µg/dL. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, being female and having been in education for ≤12 years were independent risk factors for the lowest tertile (T1) of serum zinc. After additional adjustment for clinical and biochemical parameters, there was a significant association between depression (Thai Geriatric Depression Scale-15 score > 5) and low serum zinc levels (T1 vs. T3, odds ratio (OR): 2.24; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06–4.77). Furthermore, as serum albumin increased, serum zinc concentration substantially increased (T1 vs. T3, OR: 0.01; 95% CI: 0.002–0.070). Therefore, the early detection of risk factors and the further management of depression and low serum albumin may assist physicians in preventing low serum concentrations.

The role of zinc on nutritional status, sarcopenia, and frailty in older adults: a scoping review

“… 70 Serum Zn concentrations can be affected by various factors, including dietary intake; the status of Zn-binding proteins such as albumin, transferrin, and α-2-macroglobulin, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal disorders leading to malabsorption, heavy alcohol use, medications and various medical conditions that result in Zn depletion, and foods high in phytate content. 70 , 71 Noteworthy, the study by Vega-Cabello et al 42 included in this review reported that older adults with lower intake of high-phytate foods have a reduced risk of impaired lower extremity function and frailty compared with those with high intake even if their dietary Zn intake is similar. Nevertheless, available evidence also indicates that there is no clear relationship between serum Zn concentrations and Zn intake.…”

The Level of Zinc in Blood Plasma and the Course of Gallstone Disease in Children

“…Dyscholia of hepatic genesis, cholestasis and inflammation are the main factors in the formation of cholelithiasis in children. As a result of a genetic or acquired defect, the ratio of the main components of bile, which are synthesized in the liver, is disturbed -the liver produces lithogenic bile [19,20]. It has been proven that an elevated level of zinc plays a certain role in the formation of stones in the gallbladder, as it is known about its ability to activate crystallization processes in certain concentrations [21,22].…”

Machine learning-based correction for spin–orbit coupling effects in NMR chemical shift calculations

“…21,22 Furthermore, there is a great research interest in biology and biochemistry due to the toxicity of some heavy elements ( e.g. , Ni, Cd, Hg, Pb) 23 or their essential role in biochemical processes, as for Zn 24–26 and Se. 27–29…”

“…Heavy elements can play major roles in various application areas, including catalysis, [16][17][18] batteries, 19,20 and optoelectronics. 21,22 Furthermore, there is a great research interest in biology and biochemistry due to the toxicity of some heavy elements (e.g., Ni, Cd, Hg, Pb) 23 or their essential role in biochemical processes, as for Zn [24][25][26] and Se. [27][28][29] The most crucial relativistic effects originate from spin-orbit (SO) coupling and can be essential even for qualitative modeling of the heavy atom (HA) itself, 11,30,31 but also for the adjacent lighter atoms by the heavy atom on the light atom (HALA) effect.…”