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Association between essential trace elements, dietary patterns, and biological aging.
Wenqing Wang1,2, Kaixuan Yang3, Jiayi Li1
1Department of Public Health, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, 322000, China.
European Journal of Nutrition
|May 26, 2026
Summary
Essential trace elements (ETEs) and dietary patterns impact biological aging (BA). Selenium (Se) and high-protein/plant-based diets decelerate BA, while pickled foods may weaken protective effects. Se mediates diet-aging relationships.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Biological aging (BA) is a more accurate aging metric than chronological age (CA).
- Essential trace elements (ETEs) and dietary patterns influence health, but their combined effects on BA are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interactive effects of ETEs and dietary patterns on biological aging indicators in older adults.
- To identify specific ETEs and dietary patterns associated with decelerated biological aging.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2627 older adults (≥65 years) using two BA indicators: KDM-advance and homeostasis dysregulation (HD).
- Dietary patterns identified via factor analysis; ETEs measured using ICP-MS and ICP-OES.
- Associations explored using multiple linear regression, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), and quantile g-computation.
Main Results:
- A mixture of ETEs was associated with decelerated BA, with Selenium (Se) being the primary contributor.
- Increased Se intake correlated with reduced KDM-advance and HD.
- High-protein and plant-based diets were linked to decelerated KDM-advance, while pickled foods attenuated the protective effects of Chromium (Cr) on HD.
- Se mediated 17.2% of the relationship between high-protein diets and KDM-advance.
Conclusions:
- Mixed ETEs, particularly Se, are negatively associated with BA indicators (KDM-advance, HD).
- Dietary patterns interact with ETEs; pickled foods weaken Cr's protective effect on HD.
- Findings support improving dietary guidelines for ETEs to promote healthy aging.
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