Zinc Intake Research Articles

Short-Term Zinc Supplementation Stimulates Visceral Adipose Catabolism and Inflammation in Mice

Background: Zinc (Zn), a fundamental trace element in human biology, exhibits pivotal roles in sustaining vital physiological processes and regulating metabolic homeostasis. Insufficient zinc intake has been linked to deleterious consequences on growth, reproductive functions, metabolic activities, and immune responses in both humans and animals. Oral zinc supplementation is usually performed to meet zinc requirement. Previous studies have shown that long-term supplementation of zinc in mice impaired AKT signaling and induced adipocyte hypertrophy in visceral adipose tissue. Methods: The presented study was conducted to investigate the role and mechanism of short-term zinc supplementation on lipids metabolism. Zinc sulfate was supplemented in the drinking water of C57/BL6J male mice at 30 ppm or 90 ppm for one week. Water consumption, food intake, and body weight were analyzed, adipose tissue and serum profile of metabolites were investigated, and the key genes related to lipid metabolism were analyzed. Results: Short-term zinc supplementation decreased visceral adipose tissue weight and adipocyte size compared to the control group, but no difference was observed in food intake, water consumption, and body weight between the two groups. Further studies revealed that short-term zinc supplementation significantly increased the serum insulin level while decreasing the serum NEFA content. In addition, zinc supplementation increased the expression of Atgl and Hsl in the visceral adipose tissue compared with the control mice. Furthermore, the phosphorylation level of HSL and protein level of PPARg in the epididymal adipose tissue increased by zinc supplementation compared with the control mice. In comparison, the protein level of FASN was down-regulated by short-term zinc supplementation in the epididymal adipose tissue, although the expression of lipogenic genes was not changed. The expression of F4/80 and Tnfa were increased in zinc-supplemented adipose tissue as compared with the control group. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that short-term zinc supplementation might reduce fat deposition by enhancing lipolysis in mice. Future studies could focus on the effect of intermittent zinc supplementation on fat reduction in both animal models and humans.

Appraising the Role of Circulating Concentrations of Micronutrients in Hypertension: A Two-sample, Multivariable Mendelian Randomization Study.

Hypertension poses a significant global health challenge, warranting exploration of novel preventive measures. This study aimed to investigate the role of circulating concentrations of various micronutrients in hypertension using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Data on hypertension were obtained from FinnGen, comprising 55,917 cases and 162,837 controls of European ancestry. Fifteen micronutrients were evaluated and selected based on genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data. Instrumental single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were chosen according to strict criteria. Univariable Mendelian randomization (UVMR) analysis was conducted using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, supplemented by sensitivity analyses. Multivariate Mendelian randomization (MVMR) analysis was performed to assess interactions between micronutrients. In UVMR analysis, the IVW method revealed a potential influence of copper (OR = 1.052, 95% CI: 1.006-1.099, P = 0.025) and zinc (OR = 1.083, 95% CI: 1.007-1.165, P = 0.031) on hypertension. Sensitivity analyses supported these findings. MVMR analysis confirmed a direct positive effect of zinc on hypertension (OR = 1.087, 95% CI: 1.026-1.151, P = 0.005), while adjusting for zinc attenuated the effect of copper on hypertension (OR = 1.026, 95% CI: 0.987-1.066, P = 0.193). Circulating zinc levels may be a potential risk factor for hypertension, while the association with other micronutrients remains inconclusive. These findings suggest that reducing zinc intake within a healthy range may help lower hypertension risk. Future research should further explore the role of zinc and nonlinear associations for a more comprehensive understanding.

Impact of Metal-Containing Industrial Effluents on Leafy Vegetables and Associated Human Health Risk

One of the primary sources of trace elements in the environment is wastewater used for irrigation. However, the effects of untreated wastewater containing high concentrations of chromium and zinc on vegetables and the potential human health risks associated with their consumption are poorly understood. This pot experiment aimed to address this research gap. The accumulation of chromium and zinc and their effect on the biochemical parameters of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and green onion (Allium fistulosum L.) irrigated with untreated industrial effluents were assessed. The average concentrations of chromium and zinc in the edible parts of the vegetables ranged between 7.36 and 7.58 mg/kg dry weight and 59.8 and 833 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. The irrigation of the lettuce with the effluent containing zinc at a concentration of 2.95 mg/L led to a significant increase in the content of phenols and the antioxidant activity. A significant reduction in the chlorophyll content of the lettuce leaves and the antioxidant activity of the onion leaves was observed when the plants were irrigated with the effluent containing zinc at a concentration of 78 mg/L. No non-carcinogenic health risk from the intake of chromium and zinc was identified through the consumption of lettuce and green onion, primarily due to the fact that a smaller proportion of the total metal content was transferred to their edible parts.

Associations of the Healthy Beverage Index (HBI) and the risk of Breast Cancer (BrCa): a case–control study

BackgroundBreast cancer (BrCa) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. There are several factors for getting BrCa, including some changeable factors related to lifestyle like unhealthy dietary patterns, so modifying them can prevent one third of the complications and deaths caused by BrCa. Therefore, we decided to investigate the relationship between Healthy Beverage Index (HBI) and the risk of BrCa.MethodsIn this hospital-based case–control study, 253 patients with BrCa and 267 non-BrCa controls were enrolled. Food consumption was recorded to calculate the HBI score using a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Additionally, by using binary logistic regression analysis with adjustment for confounders, the relationship between HBI and the risk of BrCa were assessed. HBI was established by Duffey et al. and is used to evaluate the overall quality of beverage intake and identify changes in consumption.ResultsMean ± SD of age and BMI of the study participants were 47.92 ± 10.33 years and 29.43 ± 5.51 kg/m2, respectively. Patients with BrCa considerably outperformed controls in terms of waist circumference (WC), age at first pregnancy, history of abortion, and number of children(Pvalue < 0.05). Compared with those in the lowest quartile of HBI, subjects in the highest quartile had higher intake of energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, E, B9, fruits, vegetables, fish and nut as well as lower BMI and WC (Pvalue < 0.05). After adjustment for potential confounders, individuals in highest compared to lowest quartile of HBI had significantly lower risk of BrCa for total population (odds ratio (OR): 0.40; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.21–0.76, Pvalue < 0.05), premenopausal (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.16–0.92, Pvalue = 0.013), and postmenopausal (OR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.10–0.78, Pvalue = 0.023).ConclusionFindings of this study suggested that higher HBI score decreased the risk of BrCa. However, further investigation is needed.

Association between dietary antioxidant levels and diabetes: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe onset and progression of diabetes mellitus (DM) is strongly linked to oxidative stress. Previous studies have highlighted the protective effects of individual dietary antioxidants against diabetes. However, the relationship between a comprehensive combination of dietary antioxidants and diabetes has rarely been examined. Therefore, this study assessed the association between various dietary antioxidant intake levels and diabetes among US adults and further investigated potential associations using the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI).MethodsThe study employed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2011 and 2018 for cross-sectional analysis. Dietary information was obtained from two 24-h dietary recall interviews. The CDAI was calculated using intakes of six dietary antioxidants from the dietary information. Multifactorial logistic regression models were employed to investigate the association of different dietary antioxidants and CDAI with DM. The relationship between CDAI and DM was further explored using subgroup analyses and restricted cubic spline curves.ResultsA total of 7,982 subjects (mean age 47.32 ± 16.77 years; 48.50% male and 51.50% female) were included in this study. In the multivariate-adjusted single antioxidant model, vitamin C intake was significantly and negatively associated with diabetes prevalence (P for trend = 0.047), while zinc intake demonstrated a potential trend toward reduced diabetes risk (P for trend = 0.088). This association was similarly observed in the multivariate-adjusted model for the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) in the female population (p = 0.046).ConclusionIntake of vitamin C was negatively associated with DM prevalence. Additionally, CDAI was found to reduce the risk of DM in the female population.

Exploring the link between dietary zinc intake and endometriosis risk: insights from a cross-sectional analysis of American women

BackgroundEndometriosis is a complex disorder with genetic, immune, inflammatory, and multifactorial etiologies. Zinc, an essential trace element, plays a crucial role in various physiological processes. Dysregulation or deficiency of zinc can lead to aberrations in human physiology. However, the association between dietary zinc and endometriosis remains ambiguous. This study aimed to investigate the link between dietary zinc intake and endometriosis.MethodsUtilizing cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we analyzed information from American women aged 20–54 years between 1999 and 2006. After adjusting for relevant covariates, multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to assess correlations.ResultsA total of 4315 women were included in the study. The multivariable logistic regression model revealed a positive correlation between dietary zinc intake and the risk of endometriosis, even after controlling for confounding variables. Relative to individuals with lower zinc consumption (≤ 8 mg/day), the adjusted odds ratio (OR) values for dietary zinc intake and endometriosis in the 8–14 mg/day and > 14 mg/day groups were 1.19 (95% CI: 0.92–1.54, p = 0.189) and 1.60 (95% CI: 1.12–2.27, p = 0.009), respectively.ConclusionsOur findings suggest a positive correlation between dietary zinc intake and the prevalence of endometriosis. However, further investigations are necessary to better understand this association and explore the potential role of dietary zinc in endometriosis.

The potential for bouillon fortification to reduce dietary micronutrient inadequacy: Modeling analyses using national survey data from Cameroon, Ghana, and Haiti

BackgroundBouillon is commonly consumed in some countries where micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent, but it has not been widely adopted as a micronutrient fortification vehicle. ObjectiveWe modeled the potential impacts of bouillon fortification on dietary micronutrient adequacy to inform future discussions around bouillon fortification programs. MethodsWe analyzed dietary intake of women of reproductive age (WRA) and children 1-5 y from a national dietary survey in Cameroon, and “apparent intake” (using the nutrient density approach) of WRA, children, and men from 3 household surveys in Cameroon, Ghana, and Haiti. We examined (apparent) intake of bouillon and simulated the impacts of bouillon fortification with varying levels of vitamin A, folic acid, vitamin B12, iron, and zinc on inadequate intake (below the estimated average requirement) and intake above the tolerable upper intake level (UL). Scenarios accounted for current mandatory fortification programs and different assumptions about iron absorption from bouillon. ResultsBouillon was consumed by >67% of households in Ghana and >90% in Haiti and Cameroon. Median (apparent) consumption ranged from 1.6-2.1 g/d for WRA, 0.7-1.0 g/d for children, and 1.8-2.2 g/d for men. Bouillon fortification at the highest micronutrient concentration modeled was predicted to reduce dietary inadequacy by 21-52 percentage points (pp) for vitamin A; 3-47pp for folic acid, and 4-90pp for vitamin B12, depending on the country and population group. In contrast, predicted impacts for iron were modest (2-17pp reduction) but would increase if absorption of iron from bouillon were enhanced. Simulated zinc fortification reduced inadequacy by 12-50pp, but zinc intake above the UL exceeded 10% among children in almost all scenarios. ConclusionModeling indicates that bouillon fortification could improve dietary micronutrient adequacy beyond existing fortification programs. Further work is needed to identify fortification levels that meet criteria for nutritional benefit, technical and commercial feasibility, affordability, and cost-effectiveness.

Effects of zinc supplementation on sleep quality in humans: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Alternative therapies, such as zinc supplementation, have been explored as potential interventions for sleep disorders. However, the efficacy of zinc supplementation inimproving sleep quality remains uncertain. This systematic review aims to examine the impacts ofzinc supplementation on sleep qualityin humans. The Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were comprehensively searched to find studies investigating the effect of zinc supplementation on sleep quality. After identifying relevant studies byscreening, relevant data were extracted from them. The quality assessment was conducted using the Cochrane quality assessment tool. This systematic review included eight studies. The interventions ranged from 4 to 48 weeks, with a daily dose of zinc supplementation varying between 10 and 73.3 mg. The majority of the evidence examined in this review pointed to the significant improvement effect of zinc supplementation on sleep quality in adults compared to the control groups. Furthermore, zinc supplementation did not have a significant effect on sleep disorders. However, there was no consensus about these findings. Also, the effect of supplementation on sleep duration in nonadults was contradictory. This systematic review suggests that zinc supplementation may lead to improvements in sleep quality. However, more research, primarily clinical trials, is needed to clarify the beneficial effects of zinc supplementation on sleep quality with consideration of dietary zinc intake and the Recommended Dietary Allowancesof zinc (RDA) in the different populations. It is also recommended to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation on sleep quality in people with zinc deficiency in future studies.

Assessment of energy and nutrient intake adequacy and dietary diversity of pregnant women in Abidjan

Background: Dietary diversity is a potential indicator of adequate nutrient intake. Aims: The study assessed dietary diversity and adequacy of nutrient intake among pregnant women in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire). Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 389 healthy pregnant adult women aged 20 to 43. Participants completed a three-day, 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire and dietary data were converted into nutrient amounts using Nutrisurvey software. Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) was based on nine food groups aggregated from a 15-item questionnaire. Nutrient intake was assessed using the Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) with the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) serving as an overall indicator of diet quality. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: The mean DDS among pregnant women was low at 4.30 ± 1.04, with diet primarily consisting of cereals, white tubers, roots, vegetables and fish. The average energy intake of pregnant women was 2429 kcal/day for over 60 % of participants. While the majority met the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and vitamin B12. However, intakes of calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, folates and vitamin C were below the RDAs for most pregnant women. The average MAR for pregnant women was 70.86% and exhibited a positive correlation with DDS (r = 0.37; p &lt; 0.001). NAR for energy and other nutrients was positively correlated with DDS, except for vitamins B12 and C. Conclusions: Pregnant women with adequate nutrient intakes consumed a diverse range of foods. Dietary diversity can therefore provide be a reliable indicator of nutrient adequacy in the diets of pregnant women in Abidjan’s hospital. Keywords: Dietary diversity, nutrient intake, nutrient adequacy ratio, pregnant women, Côte d'Ivoire.

Managing nutrition-biodiversity trade-offs on coral reefs

Coral reefs support an incredible abundance and diversity of fish species, with reef-associated fisheries providing important sources of income, food, and dietary micronutrients to millions of people across the tropics. However, the rapid degradation of the world's coral reefs and the decline in their biodiversity may limit their capacity to supply nutritious and affordable seafood while meeting conservation goals for sustainability. Here, we conduct a global-scale analysis of how the nutritional quality of reef fish assemblages (nutritional contribution to the recommended daily intake of calcium, iron, and zinc contained in an average 100g fish on the reef) relates to key environmental, socioeconomic, and ecological conditions, including two key metrics of fish biodiversity. Our global analysis of more than 1,600 tropical reefs reveals that fish trophic composition is a more important driver of micronutrient concentrations than socioeconomic and environmental conditions. Specifically, micronutrient density increases as the relative biomass of herbivores and detritivores increases at lower overall biomass or under high human pressure. This suggests that the provision of essential micronutrients can be maintained or even increase where fish biomass decreases, reinforcing the need for policies that ensure sustainable fishing, and that these micronutrients are retained locally for nutrition. Furthermore, we found a negative association between micronutrient density and two metrics of fish biodiversity, revealing an important nutrition-biodiversity trade-off. Protecting reefs with high levels of biodiversity maintains key ecosystem functions, whereas sustainable fisheries management in locations with high micronutrient density could sustain the essential supply of micronutrients to coastal human communities.

Nutrients, Diet Quality, and Dietary Patterns in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comparative Analysis.

(1) Background: Diet plays an important role in the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There are a number of methods available to assess the diets of patients with IBD, including nutrients, dietary patterns, and various appraisal tools of diet quality. However, research on diet quality and dietary patterns in IBD populations is limited, and comparative evaluations of dietary intake in patients with IBD have not been performed. (2) Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess nutrients, the dietary patterns, and diet quality of patients with IBD and to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns, diet quality, and the adequacy of nutrient intake. (3) Methods: Three-day food records of 268 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 126 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) were collected to estimate nutrients and food groups, while dietary quality was assessed using the Dietary Inflammation Index (DII) and Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS). Dietary patterns were derived using principal component analysis (PCA). Participants' nutrient intake, diet quality, and dietary patterns were compared. We used binary logistic regression to assess the relationship between dietary patterns (independent variable) and nutritional adequacy (dependent variable). (4) Results: In our sample, patients had inadequate energy, protein, and dietary fiber intake compared with Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI). Regarding micronutrients, intakes of potassium, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, sodium, calcium, iron, niacin, thiamin, and riboflavin were inadequate. Regarding food groups, the highest intakes were fruits, legumes, dairy products, and nuts. PCA revealed four dietary patterns, namely DP1, DP2, DP3, and DP4. Among UC patients, 96, 55, 69, and 48 patients adhered to DP1, DP2, DP3, and DP4 dietary patterns, respectively. Among CD patients, 41, 31, 34, and 20 patients complied with the dietary patterns of DP1, DP2, DP3, and DP4, respectively. There was no significant difference in dietary patterns between UC and CD patients. Compared with DP4 (high intake of mixed legumes and low intake of tubers), DP1 (high intake of cereals, tubers, vegetables and eggs) was more likely to ensure adequate intake of energy (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.55, 5.62), protein (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.06, 3.96), carbohydrates (OR, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.51, 6.59), thiamine (OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.36,4.93), niacin (OR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.39, 5.42), phosphorus (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.08, 3.85), zinc (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.28, 4.63), and manganese (OR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.60, 5.90), and DP2 (high intake of fruits, poultry, aquatic products, and nuts) was more likely to meet niacin requirements than DP4 (OR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.28, 5.48). (5) Conclusion: This study clarifies our understanding of dietary intake, diet quality, and dietary patterns in adult patients with IBD. Future attention is needed to improve diet quality, emphasizing the importance of assessing and understanding patient dietary habits and increasing understanding of the factors that influence dietary intake in IBD in order to achieve optimal outcomes for patients with IBD.

The association between dietary zinc intake and osteopenia, osteoporosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundDiet has been shown to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), of which osteoporosis is the most common and important complication, and zinc has been shown to inhibit the inflammatory response, but studies on the relationship between dietary zinc and osteoporosis in patients with RA are limited and inconclusive. In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship between dietary zinc intake and osteoporosis or osteopenia in patients with RA.MethodsData on RA patients were derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007 to 2010, 2013 to 2014, and 2017 to 2020. Weighted univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed to explore the association between dietary zinc intake and osteoporosis or osteopenia in RA patients. The relationship was further investigated in different age, body mass index (BMI), nonsteroidal use, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension population. All results were presented as odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsIn total, 905 RA patients aged ≥ 40 years were included. After adjusting all covariates, higher dietary zinc intake was associated with lower odds of osteopenia or osteoporosis (OR = 0.39, 95%CI: 0.18–0.86) in RA patients. The relationship between dietary zinc intake ≥ 19.52 mg and lower odds of osteopenia or osteoporosis were also found in those aged ≥ 60 years (OR = 0.38, 95%CI: 0.16–0.91), BMI normal or underweight (OR = 0.16, 95%CI: 0.03–0.84), nonsteroidal use (OR = 0.14, 95%CI: 0.02–0.82), dyslipidemia (OR = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.17–0.92), diabetes (OR = 0.37, 95%CI: 0.14–0.95), and hypertension (OR = 0.37, 95%CI: 0.16–0.86).ConclusionHigher dietary zinc intake was associated with reduced incidence of osteopenia or osteoporosis in patients with RA. Further longitudinal and randomized trials are necessary to validate our findings and explore the underling mechanisms. Adequate dietary zinc intake may beneficial to the bone health in RA patients.

Serum arsenic augments gallstone risk in Henan rural cohort with multiple metal exposure

BackgroundPeople are exposed to metals in various ways during their daily lives. However, the association between metal exposure and gallstones remains unclear. ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between serum elemental concentrations and the risk of gallstones. MethodsParticipants (n = 4204) were drawn from the Henan Rural Cohort. Gallstone diagnosis was based on abdominal ultrasound reports during follow-up. Baseline serum elemental concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The relationship between serum elemental levels and gallstones was evaluated using robust Poisson regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS), quantile g-computation (Qgcomp), grouped weighted quantile sum (GWQS) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). Results121 individuals were diagnosed with gallstone (incidence rate of 2.88 %). In robust Poisson regression, after adjusting for confounding factors, the highest quartile of arsenic concentration compared to the lowest quartile had a 1.90 times higher relative risk (RR) [95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.05, 3.44]. Conversely, the highest quartile of zinc concentration compared to the lowest quartile had a 0.50 times lower RR (95 % CI: 0.28, 0.89). RCS showed an approximately “S”-shaped nonlinear relationship between serum arsenic levels and gallstones, with increasing arsenic concentration leading to a higher risk of gallstones; however, the risk plateaued when arsenic concentration exceeded 0.62 μg/L. Both the Qgcomp and GWQS indicated that arsenic plays a significant role in increasing the risk of gallstones, whereas zinc plays a significant role in reducing the risk of gallstones. BKMR showed that raising arsenic exposure from the 25th to the 75th percentile increased the risk of gallstones, while raising serum zinc concentration reduced it. ConclusionsHigher serum arsenic concentration increases the risk of gallstones, whereas higher zinc concentration may reduce the risk. Effective prevention of gallstones may require further reduction of arsenic exposure and appropriate increases in zinc intake.

Associations of minerals intake with colorectal cancer risk in the prostate, lung, colorectal, ovarian cancer screening trial.

Exploring the association between common mineral intake and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). We utilized the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model to assess the association between intake of minerals and the risk of CRC, estimating hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 101,686 eligible participants were included in the analysis of this study, including 1,100 CRC cases. After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that total zinc intake (HRQ4vs.Q1: 0.79, 95%CI 0.67-0.93; P for trend <0.05), iron intake (HRQ4vs.Q1: 0.81, 95%CI 0.68-0.96; P for trend <0.05), copper intake (HRQ4vs.Q1: 0.80, 95%CI 0.68-0.95; P for trend <0.05), selenium intake (HRQ4vs.Q1: 0.83, 95%CI 0.69-0.98; P for trend <0.05) were significantly negatively associated with the incidence of CRC, but magnesium intake in the appropriate range is associated with a reduced risk of CRC (HRQ3vs.Q1: 0.77, 95%CI 0.65-0.91; P for trend >0.05). Our findings suggested that an appropriate intake of total zinc, iron, copper, selenium and magnesium were associated with lower CRC risk.

The Influence of Diet and Intake of Macro and Micro Zinc Nutrients on the Incident of Stunting in Toddlers Ages 12-36 Months in Usitasae Village

Short Toddlers (Stunting) is a nutritional status based on the Body Length according to Age (PB/U) index or Body Height according to Age (TB/U) where in the anthropometric standard for assessing children’s nutritional status, the results of these measurements are at the threshold (Z- Score) -3 SD to &lt;-2 SD (short /stunted) and &lt;-3 SD (very short/ severely stunted). The formulation of the problem is how Stunting occurs in toddlers aged 12-36 months and whether there is an influence of the type of food, amount of food, food schedule, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and zinc on the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 12-36 months. This research aims to analyze the influence of diet and intake of macro and micronutrient zinc on the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 12-36 months. This type of observational research uses a cross-sectional design. This research was carried out in Usitasae Village. The sample in this study consisted of 54 toddlers using cluster random sampling techniques with bivariate analysis using the chi-square test and multivariate analysis using the multinominal logistic regression test. The results of data analysis on the prevalence of stunting in toddlers aged 12-36 months were 64.8%. The relationship between nutritional intake and the incidence of stunting in toddlers is the type of food (P value = 0.005 ≤ α = 0.05), the amount of food (P value = 0.018 ≤ α = 0.05), the food schedule (P value = 0.022 ≤ α = 0.05), carbohydrates (P value = 0.010 ≤ α = 0.05), protein (P value = 0.000 ≤ α = 0.05), fat (P value = 0.008 ≤ α = 0.05), zinc (P value = 0.006 ≤ α = 0.05). There is a relationship between the type of food, amount of food, food schedule, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and zinc on the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 12-36 months. There is a need for further study regarding the intake of macro and micronutrients zinc in toddlers aged 12-36 months.

Analysis of the Effect of Zinc Consumption on the Growth and Development of School Age Children

Zinc is an essential mineral for the health of school-age children even though the body requires only a small amount of it. Children are among those at high risk of zinc deficiency. The aim of this study is to find out the impact of zinc consumption on the growth of school-age children. This research method uses a literature review design by searching for some articles that are relevant to the topic taken to obtain information, then analyzed and presented in a narrative form. The results show that parents who lack knowledge about the importance of zinc for health and are less attentive to this, then children may be deficient in zinc intake. As a result, it affects the child's height, weight, and brain development. When children consume zinc on a regular basis, it can support their growth, effectively deal with stunting, prevent adverse effects on their temperament, maintain the immune system, and synergistically lower blood sugar levels in obese children. In conclusion, there is a positive influence that supports the growth of the child if the need for zinc is met from food as well as supplements and a negative influence when the child consumes less zinc.

Nutritional and phytochemical profile of a traditional beverage made from roasted roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) seeds

The consumption of locally available and affordable food with high nutritional properties is a recommended solution to prevalent undernutrition in low-income countries. The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional and phytochemical profile of a traditional beverage made from roasted green or red roselle seeds. Proximate composition was determined using AOAC standard methods. Minerals and phytochemicals were quantified by atomic and molecular absorption spectrophotometry, respectively. The bioavailability of iron, zinc, and calcium was estimated using phytates/mineral molar ratios. A sensory analysis was conducted to evaluate the acceptability of the studied beverages, and their contribution to the Recommended Daily Intake of proteins, energy, iron, zinc, and calcium was also assessed. The beverage made from roasted green roselle seeds presented the highest content of proteins, fats, total fibres and energy, while the beverage made from roasted red roselle seeds was more concentrated in carbohydrates. Both beverages had similar contents of total phenols, oxalates, ascorbic acid but exhibited different phytates and carotenoids contents that were higher in the beverage made from roasted red roselle seeds. The mineral composition revealed higher contents of sodium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper in the beverage made from roasted red roselle seeds, while iron and manganese were more concentrated in the beverage made from roasted green roselle seeds. A good bioavailability was observed for iron and zinc in the beverage made from roasted red roselle and green roselle seeds, respectively. An unfavourable calcium bioavailability was exhibited by both beverages. The consumption of 500 mL of the studied beverages, which were positively appreciated by the sensory test panel, could cover more than 100% of the Recommended Daily Intake of proteins, energy, zinc, and more than 50% of that of iron, for children up to 3 years old. The consumption of beverages made from roasted roselle seeds could be an efficient and affordable solution to undernutrition in low-income countries.

Household food expenditures and socioeconomic status in relation to dietary nutrient intake in Iranian families

PurposeExamining the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) and expenses spent on food preparation on nutritional intake has always been one of the critical concerns for policymakers. This study aims to investigate the association between household food expenditure as well as SES and dietary nutrient intake in Kermanshah, Iran.Design/methodology/approachIn this cross-sectional study, households were randomly selected from different strict in Kermanshah, Iran. Data were collected with an SES questionnaire, a demographic data collection form, a weekly food purchase checklist and a food record. The authors performed the analysis of covariance to determine the relationship of dietary nutrient intake of study participants across quintile categories of SES and total food expenses per day.FindingsOut of 125 households, 119 households including 401 people finished the study. A significant association was observed between higher SES and higher intake of vitamin B2 (p-value = 0.03). Moreover, the household members at the top level of total food expenses per day had significantly greater dietary nutrient intake of energy (p < 0.001), potassium (p < 0.001), magnesium (p < 0.001), calcium (p < 0.001), zinc (p < 0.001), vitamin B2 (p < 0.001), B6 (p < 0.001), B12 (p = 0.002) and vitamin C (p = 0.04).Originality/valueIn our study, higher dietary nutrient intake was observed in the household members at the highest level of total food expenses daily as well as SES. Therefore, governments and policymakers should pay basic attention to optimizing food costs and improving the economic status of people.

Association between dietary copper, iron, zinc, selenium intake and osteopenia or osteoporosis in elderly hypertensive patients: a retrospective cohort study.

The study aimed to investigate the link between dietary copper, iron, zinc, selenium intake with osteopenia and osteoporosis in elderly hypertensive patients. The data of hypertensive patients were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2010, 2013-2014, and 2017-2018. Data of dietary iron, zinc, copper and selenium intakes were obtained according to 24-h diet recall interviews. Osteopenia and osteoporosis were determined based on the bone mineral density. Weighted liner regression and weighted logistic regression were employed to assess the association between iron, zinc, copper, and selenium intakes with osteopenia and osteoporosis. All results were presented as β, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In total, 5,286 elderly hypertensive patients were included. Among them, 2,961 (56.02%) patients have osteopenia, and 566 (10.71%) have osteoporosis. After adjusting all covariates, dietary copper intake ≥the recommended daily allowance was positively correlated with bone mineral density on total femur (β = 0.086, 95% CI: 0.021-0.152) and femoral neck (β = 0.097, 95% CI: 0.016-0.178). Dietary zinc intake ≥the recommended daily allowance was also positively correlated with bone mineral density on total femur (β = 0.092, 95% CI: 0.030-0.153) and femoral neck (β = 0.122, 95% CI: 0.050-0.193). Dietary copper (O = 0.581, 95% CI: 0.394-0.858) and zinc (OR = 0.595, 95% CI: 0.429-0.827) intake ≥the recommended daily allowance levels were related to increased odds of osteoporosis in elderly with hypertension. Higher dietary copper and zinc intake was associated with lower odds of osteoporosis in the elderly hypertensive patients. Higher dietary intake included copper and zinc may be beneficial for the bone health in the elderly hypertensive patients.

Identification of dietary patterns and their relationship with zinc intake in male and female workers

Objectives Deficiency of zinc, an essential trace element in the body, adversely affects taste, wound healing, and immunity. This study aimed to identify the dietary patterns of male and female workers using factor analysis and clarify the relationship between dietary patterns and zinc intake.Methods The participants were 395 municipal employees (193 men and 202 women) in Northern Kyushu aged 19-71 years. To obtain the dietary intake data, participants were asked to complete a lifestyle and health questionnaire and brief self-administered dietary history questionnaire. Zn intake was evaluated per 1,000 kcal (mg/1,000 kcal). The values were adjusted for energy using the density method, and multiple regression analysis was performed.Results Three dietary patterns were identified for each participant. Among men, "main and side dish type pattern" characterized by higher intakes of potatoes, legumes, vegetables, seafood, meat, and low for cereals, "snack type pattern" characterized by higher intakes of sweets and coffee, and "Mediterranean diet pattern" characterized by higher intakes of bread, pasta, fruits, eggs, and milk, and low for miso soup and rice were identified. For women, a "vegetarian diet type pattern" characterized by higher intakes of beans, vegetables, mushrooms, and seaweed, "main and side dish type pattern" characterized by low intake of rice, and "dinner-time drinking pattern" characterized by higher intakes of alcoholic beverages were identified. Zinc intake was positively associated with the "main and side dish type pattern" and "Mediterranean diet pattern" in men and "vegetarian diet" and "main and side dish type pattern" in women. Additionally, zinc intake was negatively associated with the "dinner-time drinking pattern" among women.Conclusion Despite adjusting for age, BMI, marriage, occupation, smoking habits, and exercise habits, the "main and side dish type pattern" and "Mediterranean diet pattern" were positively correlated with zinc intake in men and the "vegetarian diet" and "main and side dish type pattern" in women. The data suggest awareness of the dietary patterns that are conducive to ensuring zinc intake.