SELENIUM STATUS, PLASMA ZINC, COPPER, AND MAGNESIUM IN VEGETARIANS

Plasma zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations, copp er/zinc ratio, and selenium (Se) status were studied in 44 vegetarians (22 males and 22 females) and their age- and sex-matched nonvegetaria ns in the Bratislava region (Slovakia). Vegetarians had statistically significant lower levels of plasma Zn and Cu than nonvegetarians, whic h may be the result of lower bioavailability of Zn and Cu from this ty pe of diet. No differences in plasma Mg levels were found between vege tarians and nonvegetarians. Se status, as expressed by plasma and eryt hrocyte concentrations and plasma and erythrocyte glutathione peroxida se activities (GPx), was significantly lower in vegetarians when compa red to nonvegetarians. In the series as a whole, there were significan tly higher correlations between plasma and erythrocyte Se concentratio ns and between plasma and erythrocyte GPx activities. Significant posi tive correlations were also found between plasma Se concentrations and erythrocyte GPx activities, and between erythrocyte Se concentrations and erythrocyte GPx activities. A vegetarian diet does not provide a sufficient supply of essential antioxidant trace elements, Like Zn, Cu , and especially Se. Se supplementation should be recommended to this risk group of the population.