Serum mineral status of long-term cigarette smokers

This study was carried out to investigate comparatively some serum mineral levels of cigarette smokers. A total of 25 nonsmokers (control group) and 50 long-term cigarette smokers (smoking for at least 15 years; smoker group) were participated in the study. Subjects were between 25 and 40 years old. Control and smoker groups were matched for age, sex and body mass index status. The blood samples were taken from smokers and nonsmokers after 12 h of fasting period. The levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), chlorine (Cl), sodium (Na) and phosphorus (P) were measured by autoanalyzer using commercial kits. Student's t test was used to compare the control and smoker groups, and p < 0.05 indicated a significant difference. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to demonstrate the relationship among parameters in smoker and control groups. Although there was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between the groups regarding the levels of K, P, Mg, Na, Cl, Zn, Fe, Ca and Cu, some positive correlations were observed in controls but not in smokers. Therefore, it was concluded that smoking does not affect the serum mineral levels. However, it may negatively affect some important positive correlations among minerals observed in healthy individuals.