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Impact of micronutrient dietary intake and status on intestinal zinc absorption in late middle-aged men: the ZENITH study

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 59, pages S48–S52 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Background:

Adjustments in intestinal absorption and losses of zinc (Zn) are thought to maintain Zn homeostasis when dietary intake levels are altered. Zn status may also influence efficiency of intestinal Zn absorption.

Objectives:

To determine the impact of dietary intake and status of some micronutrients on Zn absorption in late middle-aged men.

Design and participants:

Dietary intake and status of Zn, Cu, Fe, vitamin A, C and fibre, and absorption of Zn were measured in 48 men, aged 58-68 y, confined to a metabolic unit and consuming a typical French diet. Dietary intake was estimated using 4-day food-intake records (including the weekend) and the GENI program. To assess Zn status, serum, erythrocyte, urine Zn levels and serum alkaline phosphatase activity were determined. Zn absorption was determined using the isotope double-labelling method. Zn stable isotopic ratios were measured in plasma samples collected before and 48 h after isotope administration using ICP/MS.

Results:

Zn intake within the group of men varied from 5.7 to 20.5 mg/day and averaged 12.9 mg/day. Serum Zn level varied from 10 to 18 μmol/l and averaged 12.9 μmol/l. Zn absorption varied from 12 to 46% and averaged 29.7%. Zn absorption was not significantly (P>0.05) correlated with Zn intake or with any of the Zn status parameters. Zn absorption was only slightly negatively correlated with serum and erythrocyte Zn levels and with serum Fe and ferritin levels in this study.

Conclusion:

Zn dietary intake and Zn absorption were satisfactory and led to an adequate Zn status in this population.

Sponsorship:

The ZENITH Study is supported by the European Commission ‘Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources’ Fifth Framework Program, Contract No: QLK1-CT-2001-00168.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the assistance of L Morin, N Mathieu and G Manlhiot from the Human Nutrition Unit of Clermont-Ferrand in caring for the study subjects. They also thank Drs S Corny and V Miranda from the Clermont-Ferrand Hospital pharmacy for preparing the stable isotopes for human use, and E Gueux, L Jaffrelo and S Thien for technical assistance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne, Unité Maladies Métaboliques et Micro-nutriments, I.N.R.A., Theix, St Genès Champanelle, France

    N Meunier, C Feillet-Coudray, M Rambeau, A Mazur & C Coudray

  2. Laboratoire de Nutrition Vieillissement et Maladies Cardiovasculaires, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Joseph Fourier, Domaine de la Merci, La Tronche, France

    M Andriollo-Sanchez

  3. Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne, Unité d'Exploration en Nutrition, I.N.R.A, Laboratoire de Nutrition Humaine, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    M Brandolini-Bunlon

  4. Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK

    S J Coulter

  5. Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College, Cork, Ireland

    K D Cashman

Authors
  1. N Meunier
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  2. C Feillet-Coudray
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  3. M Rambeau
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  4. M Andriollo-Sanchez
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  5. M Brandolini-Bunlon
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  6. S J Coulter
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  7. K D Cashman
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  8. A Mazur
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  9. C Coudray
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C Coudray.

Additional information

Guarantor: C Coudray.

Contributors: NM recruited Zenith subjects, CFC handled the results, MAS contributed to Zn measurement, MR performed stable isotope determination, MB determined dietary intakes, SJC Cupper measurement, KDC performed analysis of urinary creatinine and manuscript correction, CC performed study design and paper writing and coordinated ZENITH Study. All authors read and contributed to finalization of the manuscript.

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Meunier, N., Feillet-Coudray, C., Rambeau, M. et al. Impact of micronutrient dietary intake and status on intestinal zinc absorption in late middle-aged men: the ZENITH study. Eur J Clin Nutr 59 (Suppl 2), S48–S52 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602298

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