Calcium, magnesium, and zinc status of young adult females on an adequate protein and calorie intake

Abstract

Calcium, magnesium, and zinc balances were determined in eleven young adult college females (mean age, 24.9±2.35) during a 39-d metabolic study when the subjects were fed an adequate calorie and protein diet based on habitually consumed foods. Analysis showed that the dietary contribution of calcium, magnesium, and zinc to the RDA were 53.6, 26.4, and 57.9%, respectively. Mean fecal losses of calcium and magnesium were low, while fecal zinc losses were higher than the daily intake. Mean urinary excretion of calcium was within the normal range, but was low for magnesium whereas urinary zinc was higher than normal. Mean daily apparent retentions of calcium and magnesium were positive, whereas positive apparent retention for zinc were observed in four of the subjects. Plasma calcium and magnesium remained normal, but mean plasma zinc declined at the end of the study. Significant correlations were observed between the fecal losses of calcium and magnesium and calcium and zinc. Urinary calcium also correlated significantly (P<0.05) with urinary magnesium, but not with zinc. It appears that adequate protein and calorie intake in the presence of low dietary intake of calcium, magnesium, and zinc has no significant effect on calcium and magnesium status whereas a lowering effect on plasma zinc and apparent zinc retention was observed in the subjects studied.