Zinc supplementation and plasma lipid peroxides in an elderly population

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of vitamin A, zinc or both on plasma lipid peroxides in a healthy elderly population. Design: Double-blind randomized controlled trial supplementation of vitamin A and zinc. Setting: Public home for elderly people, in Rome, Italy. Subjects: A total of 178 residents of a Public home for elderly people were evaluated regarding health and nutritional status. 136 gave a written consensus to participate in the trial and were randomized in four groups of treatment. 118 elderly completed the trial. Interventions: Three months supplementation of the following treatments: (1) vitamin A (800 mg retinol palmitate); (2) zinc (25 mg zinc as sulphate); (3) vitamin A and zinc (800 mg retinol palmitate and 25 mg zinc as sulphate); (4) placebo (starch containing capsules). Main outcome measures: Plasma lipid peroxides (TBA-RS) were measured before and after supplementation. Results: Zinc supplementation was associated with a decrease in plasma lipid peroxides (b 7 0.19; 95% con®dence levels: 70.37, 70.002; p-value 0.05) after adjusting for sex, smoking habits, baseline plasma lipid peroxides and vitamin A plasma levels. Conclusions: Zinc supplementation decreased plasma lipid peroxides while vitamin A had no effect in this elderly population. Adequate zinc intake or supplementation could play an important role in the prevention and/ or modulation of diseases in the elderly people.

The role of trace elements for the health of elderly individuals

“…Supplementation of zinc in physiological concentrations was previously reported to lead to a decrement in plasma lipid peroxide concentrations in elderly people living in a public home [28]. No effect was observed after supplementation of vitamin A, placebo or a combination of vitamin A and zinc.…”

Zinc Deficiency: A Frequent and Underestimated Complication After Bariatric Surgery

“…Zinc supplementation is therefore necessary early after some types of bariatric surgery because of the important function of zinc in the body and the clinical co-morbidities related to zinc deficiency. The long-term effects of mild deficiency are unclear but are thought to include delayed wound healing, suboptimal immune function, increased plasma lipid peroxides, reduced taste and smell acuity [68] and alopecia after vertical banded gastroplasty [69]. There are currently no guidelines for zinc supplementation.…”

Variation of Trace Elements Contents in Asparagus racemosus (Willd)

“…It is necessary for a healthy immune system. Zn deficiency can cause hair loss, diarrhea, fatigue, decreased growth rate and mental development in infants, and reduced taste activity [7]. Zinc is found in all body tissues with 85% in muscle and bone, 11% in skin and liver, and the remaining, in all the other tissues.…”