Magnesium and zinc deficiency of nursing home residents caused by malnutrition?

The nutritional Mg and Zn intake of 11 nursing home residents (NHR) in Stut tgart was estimated by quantitative calculation of 7-day-protocols as well as by measuring food samples with the duplicate technique on seven subseque nt days in 1996. In addition, the serum-Mg and serum-Zn of 25 blood samples from NHR of the same facility were determined. The mean Mg and Zn intake o f II NI-IR measured by duplicate technique amounted to only 55% of the RDA and DGE recommendations. The calculated total Zn intake was similar to the total Zn intake measured by the duplicate technique. In contrast the calcul ated Mg intake was 30% higher. Because of this phenomenon the protocols of two NHR are presented. This allows to apply other calculations than EBIS(R) and to see whether there exists a local or worldwide problem. Hypomagnesem ia was detected in 32% and hypozincemia in 28% of all cases. Both hypomagne semia and hypozincemia occurred in 20%. None of the subjects revealed hyper magnesemia or hyperzincemia.