Bm. Retzlaff et al., ZINC INTAKE AND PLASMA ZINC LEVEL ARE MAINTAINED IN MEN CONSUMING CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING DIETS, Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 95(11), 1995, pp. 1274-1279
Objective Reduced zinc intake has been reported when cholesterol-lower
ing diets are adopted. This study examined whether such diets compromi
se the zinc status of men with hypercholesterolemia. Design Zinc intak
e on baseline 4-day food records and baseline plasma zinc levels were
compared with intake and levels 12 and 24 months after subjects adopte
d a low-fat, increased-fiber diet. Dietary fiber intake, supplement us
e, alcohol intake, and exercise were evaluated as possible confounding
variables. Subjects Subjects were free-living men (n = 365) with base
line cholesterol level above the 75th percentile who were participants
in a randomized trial comparing cholesterol-lowering diets with goals
of 30%, 26%, 22%, and 18% of energy from fat and 300, 200, 100, and 1
00 mg cholesterol, respectively. Statistical analyses Data were analyz
ed using two sample t tests, multiple linear regression, and analysis
of variance. Results For all subjects combined, mean fat and cholester
ol intakes approached or met the guidelines of the National Cholestero
l Education Program step 2 diet, with approximately 30 g fiber per day
. Density (mg/1,000 kcal) of zinc intake was unchanged from the baseli
ne value. We found a slightly positive relationship between fiber and
zinc intakes; no relationship between fiber intake and plasma zinc lev
el; no effect of supplement use (category included all types of supple
ments), alcohol use, or level of exercise on plasma zinc levels; and n
o difference by dietary assignment in zinc intake or plasma zinc level
s. Application Zinc status does not appear to be at risk in adult men
who adopt cholesterol-lowering diets. These results may not be general
ized to higher-risk population groups or situations in which dietary c
ounseling is less comprehensive.