Dietary Mineral Intake Research Articles

Refining low protein modular feeds for children on low protein tube feeds with organic acidaemias

Children with inherited metabolic disorders (IMD) who are dependent on tube feeding and require a protein restriction are commonly fed by ‘modular tube feeds’ consisting of several ingredients. A longitudinal, prospective two-phase study, conducted over 18months assessed the long-term efficacy of a pre-measured protein-free composite feed. This was specifically designed to meet the non-protein nutritional requirements of children (aged over 1year) with organic acidaemias on low protein enteral feeds and to be used as a supplement with an enteral feeding protein source. MethodologyAll non-protein individual feed ingredients were replaced with one protein-free composite feed supplying fat, carbohydrate, and micronutrients. Thirteen subjects, median age 7.4y (3–15.5y), all nutritionally tube dependent (supplying nutritional intake:≥90%, n=12; 75%, n=1), and diagnosed with organic acidaemias (Propionic acidaemia, n=6; Vitamin B12 non-responsive methyl malonic acidaemia, n=4; Isovaleric acidaemia, n=2; Glutaric aciduria type1, n=1); were studied. Nutritional intake, biochemistry and anthropometry were monitored at week −8, 0, 12, 26 and 79. ResultsEnergy intake remained unchanged, providing 76% of estimated energy requirements. Dietary intakes of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids significantly increased from week 0 to week 79, but sodium, potassium, magnesium, decosahexanoic acid and fibre did not meet suggested requirements. Plasma zinc, selenium, haemoglobin and MCV significantly improved, and growth remained satisfactory. Natural protein intake met WHO/FAO/UNU 2007 recommendations. ConclusionsA protein-free composite feed formulated to meet the non-protein nutritional requirements of children aged over 1year improved nutritional intake, biochemical nutritional status, and simplified enteral tube feeding regimens in children with organic acidaemias.

SUN-P297: The Role of Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium, and Zinc on Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Rationale: Minerals may contribute to prevent and treat sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the role of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in older adults. Methods: A systematic search was conducted between March 2016 and July 2016, in the PubMed database using pre-defined search terms. Articles on the role of dietary mineral intake or mineral serum concentrations on muscle mass, muscle strength, physical performance, and the prevalence of sarcopenia in healthy or frail older adults (average age ≥ 65 years) were selected. Meta-analyses statistic will be performed when possible. Results: From the 3346 articles found, ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Observational studies showed that serum selenium and calcium intake were significantly associated with muscle mass. Magnesium, based on one randomized controlled trial, selenium, iron, and zinc intake were significantly and positively associated with physical performance in older adults. Magnesium, selenium, calcium, and phosphorus intake were associated with the prevalence of sarcopenia. No studies on the role of sodium or potassium on muscle mass, muscle strength, or physical performance were found. Meta-analysis was not possible due to high heterogeneity. Conclusion: Minerals may be important nutrients to prevent and treat sarcopenia. Particularly, magnesium, selenium, and calcium seem to be most promising. Most of the included studies, however, were observational studies. Therefore, more randomized controlled trials are needed to elucidate the potential benefits of mineral intake to prevent and treat sarcopenia and support healthy aging.

Dietary Intake of Minerals, Vitamins, and Trace Elements Among Geriatric Population in India.

The geriatric population is at a high risk of developing deficiencies of essential micronutrients such as minerals, vitamins, and trace elements and their related deficiency signs and symptoms. Scarce data is available on the dietary intake of essential micronutrients among geriatric subjects in India. Hence, to fill the gap in the existing knowledge, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted during 2015-2016 in District Nainital, Uttarakhand State, India. A total of 255 geriatric subjects were enrolled from 30 clusters (villages) identified by using population proportionate to size sampling methodology. Data were collected on sociodemographic profile and dietary intake of essential micronutrients (24-h dietary recall, food frequency questionnaire) from all the geriatric subjects. A high percentage of geriatric subjects did not consume the recommended daily intake for essential micronutrients such as energy (78%), protein (78%), calcium (51%), thiamine (33%), riboflavin (64%), niacin (88%), vitamin C (42%), iron (72%), folic acid (72%), magnesium (48%), zinc (98%), copper (81%) and chromium (89%) adequately. Food groups rich in essential micronutrients such as pulses, green leafy vegetables, roots and tubers, other vegetables, fruits, nonvegetarian food items, and milk and milk products were consumed irregularly by the subjects. The overall intake of energy and essential micronutrients was inadequate among the geriatric population in India, possibly due to poor quality and quantity of the diet consumed.

Inadequate dietary intake of minerals: prevalence and association with socio-demographic and lifestyle factors.

This cross-sectional, population-based study aimed to estimate the prevalence of dietary mineral inadequacies among residents in urban areas of Sao Paulo, to identify foods contributing to mineral intake and to verify possible associations between socio-demographic and lifestyle factors and mineral intake. Data were obtained from the 2008 Health Survey of Sao Paulo (n 1511; mean age 43·6 (sd 23·2), range 14-97 years). Dietary intake of minerals was measured using two 24-h dietary recalls. Socio-demographic and lifestyle data were collected. The prevalence of inadequate intake was estimated according to Dietary Reference Intakes methods. Associations between mineral intake and baseline factors were determined using multiple linear regression. Na, Ca and Mg showed the highest dietary inadequacies. Some age/sex groups had lower intakes of P, Zn, Cu and Se. Rice, beans and bread were the main foods contributing towards mineral intake. Female sex was negatively associated with K, Na, P, Mg, Zn and Mn intakes. All age groups were positively associated with the intakes of K, P, Mg and Mn. Family income above one minimum wage was positively associated with Se intake. Living in a household whose head completed ≥10 years of education was positively associated with Ca and negatively associated with Na intake. Former smoker status was negatively associated with Ca intake. Current smoker status was inversely associated with K, Ca, P and Cu intakes. Sufficient physical activity was positively associated with K, Ca and Mg intakes. Overall, the intakes of all major minerals were inadequate and were influenced by socio-demographic and lifestyle factors.

Dietary Intake of Minerals in Diets of Adults Preparing for Marathon

The aim of the study was to evaluate the mineral content in the diets of amateurs preparing for a marathon. The examined group consisted of 92 women (W), whose average age was 30.8 ±6.7 years and 66 men (M), whose average age was 33.2 ±6.6 years. The evaluation of the mineral content of the diets of the surveyed people was done using three-day dietary records which included one day of the weekend. The average daily sodium content in the diets of women was 1,952.2 ±729.2 mg, and in the diets of men it was 3,093.1 ±1,063.3 mg whereas potassium content was 3,361.6 ±798.5 mg and 3,900.3 ±982.3 mg respectively. The potassium content of less than 90% of fulfilling the norm was observed in the diets of 84.8% of women and 66.7% of men. The average content of calcium in the diets of women and men amounted to 887.5 ±278.8 mg and 1,162.6 ± 434.3 mg/day respectively. The diets of 30.4% of women and 16.7% of men had insufficient calcium content as compared to the norms. The average daily phosphorus and magnesium content was significantly higher in men than in women (1,374.6 ±348.6 vs 1,823.5 ±473.0 mg and 373.4 ±107.1 vs 423.6 ±108.8 mg). Magnesium intake was insufficient in the diets of 14.1% of women and 28.8% of men. The average daily content of iron, zinc and copper in the group of women was: 12.1 mg, 10.1 mg and 1.4 mg, while in the diets of men respectively 14.8 mg, 13.5 mg and 1.5 mg. The highest percentage of diets not fulfilling the norm was found for calcium and potassium in women, and potassium and magnesium for men.

Effect of injectable trace mineral administration on health, performance, and vaccine response of newly received feedlot cattle

ABSTRACT Previous research has established that trace minerals are necessary for optimal growth and immunity, yet challenges exist with intake of dietary trace minerals in cattle newly received at feedlots. A total of 128 crossbred beef bull (n = 40) and steer (n = 88) calves were used for this 42-d receiving study. Cattle were stratified by initial BW (275 ± 9.54 kg) and sex (steer or bull) and then assigned equivalently to treatment pens (n = 8 per treatment). Treatments were (1) negative control (CON) or (2) injectable trace mineral solution containing 60 mg of Zn/mL (as Zn disodium EDTA), 10 mg of Mn/mL (as Mn disodium EDTA), 5 mg of Se/mL (as sodium selenite), and 15 mg of Cu/mL (as Cu disodium EDTA) administered s.c. at 2.2 mL/100 kg of BW on d 0 (ITM). Health was monitored daily by trained personnel blinded to treatment pen assignment. Blood samples and BW were obtained on d 0, 14, 28, and 42 to determine bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) type 1a antibody titer and gain performance. Standard processing procedures were applied on d 0, including administration of a respiratory vaccine containing modified-live BVDV antigens. No difference in overall ADG (P = 0.21) was detected between CON (1.36) and ITM (1.25 kg/d) steers. Overall DMI was not different (P = 0.83) between CON (6.98) and ITM (7.02 kg/d), but G:F tended (P = 0.08) to be less for ITM from d 28 to 42. The morbidity rate observed in this study was low (14% average), and there was no difference (P = 0.71) in morbidity between treatments, which averaged 15.6 and 12.5% for CON and ITM, respectively. There was a treatment × d interaction (P = 0.09) for BVDV-specific antibody titer. On d 14, ITM had a greater (P = 0.02) BVDV antibody titer than CON. These data suggest that ITM did not improve performance or morbidity when the incidence was low; however, the BVDV-specific antibody response to a respiratory vaccine was greater for ITM on d 14.

0615 Survey of temporal variation in pasture mineral concentrations and total dietary mineral intake in pasture-based dairy herds

0615 Survey of temporal variation in pasture mineral concentrations and total dietary mineral intake in pasture-based dairy herds

Acrodermatitis caused by nutritional deficiency and metabolic disorders

Both the metabolism and dietary intake of vitamins and minerals are essential to homeostatic function in the body. Dietary excess or deficiency, as well as genetic and acquired disorders in metabolism, can present dermatologically and systemically. More specifically, disorders in metabolism of zinc, biotin, essential fatty acids, and vitamin B, can appear with acrally distributed dermatoses. Recognition of the dermatologic manifestations associated with nutritional disorders is important for early diagnosis and management.

Dietary mineral intake and lung cancer risk: the Rotterdam Study

ObjectiveLimited data are available on the role of mineral intake in the development of lung cancer (LC). We investigated whether dietary calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, selenium and zinc intake were associated with LC risk.MethodsWe analyzed data from 5435 participants of the Rotterdam Study, a prospective population-based cohort study among subjects aged 55 years and older. At baseline (1990–1993), diet was measured by a validated food frequency questionnaire. LC events were diagnosed on the basis of pathology data and medical records. Hazard ratios (HRs) on LC for energy-adjusted mineral intake were calculated using Cox regression models while adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsDuring a follow-up period of 22 years, we identified 211 incident cases of LC. A higher zinc intake was associated with 42 % reduction in risk of LC (top tertile vs. first tertile: HR 0.58, 95 % CI 0.35; 0.94, P-for trend = 0.039). Similarly, high intake of iron was associated with reduced risk of LC (top tertile vs. first tertile: HR 0.58, 95 % CI 0.37; 0.92, P-for trend = 0.021). There was no association between dietary intake of calcium, copper, magnesium and selenium and LC risk.ConclusionsOur results suggest that dietary zinc and iron intake are associated with reduced risk of LC. No evidence was found for an association between calcium, copper, magnesium and selenium intake and LC risk.

Dietary Intake of Sodium and Other Minerals and the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis (S37.001)

Dietary Intake of Sodium and Other Minerals and the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis (S37.001)

Assessing Dietary Intake of Minerals in the Form of Mineral Ratios may be more Informative for Evaluating their Status than by their Individual Intake

Conventionally, evaluating dietary intakes of minerals in relation to their recommendations are considered on an individual basis. However, minerals are consumed in food together, and not one at a time. The objective was to analyze NHANES data from 2011–2012 and assess mineral intakes of middle‐age population, calculate the mineral ratios and compare them to the DRIs. Summarized NHANES data were accessed from the “What We Eat in America” website, and values for K, Na, Ca, P, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu and Se are reported here. All values for minerals were converted to mg. Subsequently, the ratio of minerals within the DRI was compared to NHANES data. According to the DRIs, males and females (aged 51–70 years) should consume 8,340mg and 8,437mg of the reported minerals/d, respectively. NHANES data showed that males consumed 10,343mg while females consumed 7,866mg of those minerals, from food, in one day. According to the DRI ratios, for every 1,000mg Ca males should consume 4,700mg K, 1,500mg Na, 700mg P, 420mg Mg and 8mg Fe. However, NHANES analysis showed that males consumed 2,900mg K, 3,724mg Na, 1,460mg P, 310mg Mg and 15mg Fe for every 1,000mg Ca. Because the DRI for Ca for older females is higher, they consumed 2,910mg K, 3,362mg Na, 1,350mg P, 320mg Mg and 15mg Fe for every 1,000mg Ca. Based on the calculated ratios, the most obvious difference was between the recommended 3‐to‐1 for K/Na ratio compared to the 0.8‐to‐1 ratio actually consumed (for both males and females). This indicates that looking at deficiencies in relation to excesses, in other words, at the mineral ratios, may provide more information regarding mineral status, and may take mineral‐mineral interactions into account which might be more important than just individual values.Support or Funding InformationNo funding source.

Nutrition Concerns of Insufficient and Excessive Intake of Dietary Minerals in Lactating Women: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Three Cities of China.

ObjectiveObjectives of this study were 1) to investigate the mineral intake by Chinese lactating women, 2) to explore the dietary source of minerals, and 3) the ratios between different dietary minerals.MethodsA total of 468 lactating women in 5–240 days post-partum participated in this study. Food intakes by participants were measured using one time of 24-hour dietary recall, and minerals from food were calculated based on the Chinese Food Composition Table, second edition.ResultsIn post-partum, women had inadequate food intake. 81.0% of women’s daily intake of dairy products was lower than 300g, and 97.1% of women’s daily intake of salt over 6g. For mineral intake, there were 81.8%, 59.0%, 47.6%, 45.7% and 66.8% of women’s calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and selenium intake lower than the estimated average requirement, respectively, and 91.7% of women’s excessive intake of sodium. The calcium/phosphorus and sodium/potassium ratios were 0.41±0.26/1 and 3.13±2.89/1, respectively. Considering the dietary sources of minerals, 27.3%, 25.3% and 30.1% of iron, zinc and calcium were from animal-based food, respectively, and 60.3%, 66.1% and 58.0% of iron, zinc and calcium were from plant-based food, respectively. The phosphorus-protein ratio was 0.014±0.003/1. Lactation stage was associated with nutrient intake. Women within 30 days post-partum and the ones who live in Guangzhou had a significantly lower intake of certain minerals, while women with a high education experience had a high intake of calcium, potassium, iron and zinc. Productive age, whether obese or not, and delivery ways were not associated with mineral intakes (P all >0.05).ConclusionChinese women in three studied cities had an inappropriate food intake and resulted in both insufficient and excessive intakes of certain minerals.

Nutritional status of Romanian population and interventional programs to prevent obesity

Our work present data on the nutritional status of adult population of Romania in 2015 and the results of the school-aged children surveillance through the national surveillance program 2015 and also from two international programs - the European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI), the national report 2013 and the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Program (HBSC) from 2014. The assessment of the nutritional aspects and health of adult population in relation to food consumption investigate the eating behaviours through consumption rates of nutrients and the main food groups, as well as anthropometric indicators of subjects included in the study. The data for 2015 show a decreased energy intake through food consumption, insufficient intake of dietary fiber and minerals (calcium, magnesium and selenium) and a high intake of proteins and total fats, especially saturated fats and cholesterol. The salt intake was situated above the WHO and European Commission's recommendations: more than 5 g / day - added salt and a total consumption of 10 g salt / day. These dietary mistakes are reflected in the increased percentage of the overweight subjects (43,1% men, 36,2% women respectively) and obese (30% men and 27,2% women). The COSI survey included 8-year-olds children from both rural and urban regions of Romania and the findings are as follows: 26,75% of the children included in the study are overweight or obese; the prevalence of childhood obesity is 11,64%, with a higher rate of obesity in urban areas. The results of the HBSC study in 2014 indicate that a percentage of 26,6% of boys and 11,8% of girls aged 11, 13 and 15 years old are overweight and / or obese. These facts are the basis of the national interventional programs concerning the promotion of a healthy nutrition and lifestyle among population in order to reduce obesity and morbidity through cardiovascular diseases.

The Effect of Cell Wall Content of Wheat and Rice Brans on Biological Relative Bioavailability Value of Minerals Binding from the Broilers Diet

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary fiber (DF) consist of NSP and lignin content of wheat bran and rice bran the relative biological availability of minerals supplementation in the broilers diet. A total of 120 broiler chicks (Ross 308) arranged with 4 repetitions (6 birds per each replicated) on the 5 treatments diet in metabolic cages. The experimental diets contain one control diet and 4 diets were formulated, basal diet containing 25% wheat bran and rice bran that those supplemented with multi-enzyme. Data shown that enzyme supplementation had effect on increase biological apparent Ileal digestibility values minerals of diets content wheat bran and rice bran were relatively high P digestibility. Thus, those cell wall were effected on bon quality characteristics and seedor index tibiae respectively (P<0.05). The present study shown that relative bioavailability values (biological availability), of minerals concentrations of wheat bran and rice bran as cell wall consist of nonstarch polysaccharide and lignin source sources based on slope of regression response to control diet was set equal to 100%, on them on daily dietary minerals intake were estimated. Relative bioavailability values, based on daily dietary minerals intake, when response to control diet was set at 100%, were 30.78, 71.43, 0.64, 91.67, 96.15 and 138.46 for rice bran, as well; values of wheat bran are 50.00, 28.57, 1.82, 42.50, 46.15, and 30.77, respectively. The result of experiment indicated that Zn, Fe, Mn and P from rice bran, as well as, Ca, Mn, and Fe for wheat bran were have highly relative bioavailability values, with respect to amount of cell wall consist of non-starch polysaccharide and lignin sources.

Dietary intake of minerals and risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: results from the Golestan Cohort Study

Dietary factors have been hypothesized to affect the risk of esophageal cancer via different mechanisms, but the intake of minerals is understudied and the evidence is conflicting. The objective was to evaluate the associations of dietary intake of minerals with risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We used data from the Golestan Cohort Study, which was launched in a high-risk region for esophageal cancer in Iran. Participants were enrolled in 2004-2008 and were followed to 2014. Intakes of minerals were assessed with a validated food-frequency questionnaire. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate HRs and 95% CIs of ESCC for dietary intakes of selected minerals. We identified 201 ESCC cases among 47,405 subjects. Calcium intake was significantly inversely associated with the risk of ESCC (HR per 100-mg/d increase: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.96; P = 0.005; quartile 4 vs. quartile 1 HR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.82; P-trend = 0.013). Zinc intake was also inversely associated with ESCC, but the quartile association did not reach significance (HR per 1-mg/d increase: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.98; P = 0.027; quartile 4 vs. quartile 1 HR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.28, 1.12; P-trend = 0.097). The relations between dietary intakes of selenium, magnesium, and copper and risk of ESCC were nonlinear (P-nonlinear trend = 0.001, 0.016, and 0.029, respectively). There was no relation between dietary intake of manganese and the risk of ESCC. The results suggest that higher intakes of calcium and zinc are associated with a lower risk of ESCC in a high-risk region of Iran.

Effects of Dietary Mineral Intake on Hair and Serum Mineral Contents of Horses

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary mineral intake on serum and hair mineral contents of healthy horses. Twelve registered horses were used in a balanced change over design with three periods (each period, 56 days; the interval between periods, 7 days), four treatments, nine replicates per treatment, and four blocks (two genders and two age groups, <3 and ≥3 years). Two different levels (0% and 2.2% of the diet) of minerals were added to one of two different levels of daily dry matter intakes (50% and 100% of requirements) to make the dietary treatments. Mane hair and serum samples were collected at the end of each period and measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry method. The mineral contents of serum, except copper and strontium, were not affected by dietary treatments (P > .05). The effect of dietary treatments on hair calcium, cobalt, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, phosphorus, sulfur, selenium, strontium, and zinc concentrations was significant (P ≤ .05), with higher values for mineral-supplemented diets provided at 100% of their requirements. Except for phosphorus, the effect of age on hair calcium, cobalt, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, lead, sulfur, selenium, strontium, and zinc concentrations and calcium-to-potassium, zinc-to-copper, calcium-to-lead, and sulfur-to-lead ratios were not significant (P > .05). For gender, the ratios of calcium to lead, iron to lead, and sulfur to copper in hair were higher in males than females (P ≤ .05). The hair showed to be a better biological indicator for mineral status in horse than the serum.

Intake of Minerals from Food Supplements in a German Population—A Nationwide Survey

Introduction: Studies indicate that 17.9% - 60% of adults in Germany and Europe regularly use food supplements. Some reports suggest that their use might be responsible for excessive nutrient intake. The purpose of this survey was to examine the quantitative mineral intakes from food supplements: whether the tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) with supplements alone, or in combination with food was exceeded was checked. Methods: The survey was carried out by the Association for Consumer Research, Nurnberg, Germany. Anonymous data of 1070 supplement users (40.8% men, 59.2% women) aged 18 - 93 years were available. Three groups were examined based on dietary and supplemental mineral intakes: average, middle-high and high intake. Results: The mean number of supplements reported was 1.6 ± 1.1 products in men and 1.5 ± 0.9 products in women. The minerals most frequently consumed were magnesium, followed by calcium, zinc and selenium. The percentage of the supplement users with total intakes greater than the UL was minimal for all minerals. Supplement use in 143 cases increased the likelihood of intakes above the UL only for magnesium. Subjects particularly in the high intake group—as a worst case scenario—had intakes above the UL in the case of calcium (n = 23) and zinc (n = 34). The percentage of subjects taking several products was greater in subjects exceeding the UL than in those below (P < 0.001). Multiple use was seen significantly more often in men than in women (P < 0.01). Conclusions: In this survey, supplement use was generally not associated with excessive intake. Supplement use resulted in intakes above the UL in only a few cases relating to magnesium, calcium and zinc. This applies more often to elderly subjects and particularly to those who already have a high mineral intake from food in the model calculation.

24-hour Urinary Excretion of Mineral and Trace Elements as an Indicator of Dietary Intake of Mineral and Trace Elements

24-hour Urinary Excretion of Mineral and Trace Elements as an Indicator of Dietary Intake of Mineral and Trace Elements

Dietary mineral intakes of rural midlife to older adult women with prehypertension in Midwestern United States.

Midlife to older rural women with prehypertension are at increased risk for hypertension and its impact on cardiovascular health with advancing age. Because modification of dietary factors could help alleviate risk, the objective of this study was to explore calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium intakes of midlife to older rural women, with identification of their top food sources. Survey of baseline dietary intake data of women and comparison to standard recommendations. Rural Midwestern United States. 289 rural women, age 40-69, with prehypertension who volunteered for lifestyle modification to reduce blood pressure. Baseline nutrition data using the Block Health Habit and History Questionnaire were collected over a twelve-month rolling enrollment period from rural women with prehypertension. Mineral intakes were calculated and compared to recommended standards. Top ten foods contributing to each mineral were identified. The percent of women who met the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)/Adequate Intake (AI) recommendations for their age groups ranged from a high 42.9% for magnesium to a low of 4.2% for potassium. Mean intakes of calcium, magnesium and potassium were all below recommended levels and sodium intakes were above recommendation. Midlife to older rural US women with prehypertension were eating some of the foods that would help them meet mineral recommendations. As a preventive approach to reducing hypertension risk, clinical practice could include advising on ways to increase both commonly and less commonly consumed nutrient-rich foods with awareness of what is typically available in the rural area.

Dietary intake of minerals in relation to depressive symptoms in Japanese employees: The Furukawa Nutrition and Health Study

ObjectiveAlthough intake of minerals has been suggested to be beneficial against depression, epidemiologic data from free-living settings are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the cross-sectional associations between the intake of magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc and the prevalence of depressive symptoms in Japanese employees. MethodsParticipants were 1792 men and 214 women ages 19 to 69 y. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated, brief self-administered diet history questionnaire. Participants with depressive symptoms were defined as those with a scale score of ≥16 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. ResultsThe prevalence of depressive symptoms was 27.8%. Intakes of magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc were inversely associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms. The multivariate adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of having depressive symptoms were 0.63 (0.44–0.91), 0.64 (0.47–0.88), 0.59 (0.40–0.87), and 0.63 (0.45–0.87) in the highest versus lowest tertiles of magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc, respectively. ConclusionResults suggest that higher dietary intake of magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc is associated with lower prevalence of depressive symptoms in Japanese employees.