The Correlation Between Zinc Intake and Superoxide Dismutase Activity with Cognitive Function in the Elderly

This study aimed to analyse the correlation between zinc intake and superoxide dismutase (SOD) with cognitive function in the elderly. Thus, the role of zinc as a structural component of SOD, along with SOD's contribution to cognitive function, can be established.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at Panti Sosial Tresna Wredha Budi Mulia 1 in Jakarta, Indonesia, from July to September 2024. Elderly men and women were included. Zinc intake was assessed using the Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire, while plasma SOD activity was measured by spectrophotometer. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Indonesia version. Data were analysed using bivariate testing and multivariate linear regression.

A total of 85 subjects were included with a median age of 69 years (61.2% were female and 38.8% male). The majority (72.9%) had primary-level education and 87.1% had chronic diseases. The mean physical activity score was 75.4 ± 39.8, the mean body mass index was 21.8 ± 3.9 kg/m² and the median daily calorie intake was 1,927.8 kcal/day (range: 1,341.7-2,167.0 kcal/day). No correlation was found between zinc intake and cognitive function. However, a significant correlation (P = 0.006, r = 0.296) was observed between SOD levels and cognitive function, with multivariate analysis indicating that gender, education and SOD accounted for 15.9% of the variance in cognitive function.

This study found no significant correlation between zinc intake and cognitive function. However, SOD activity were significantly correlated with cognitive function in the elderly.