Selenium status, plasma zinc, copper, and magnesium in vegetarians

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Human Physiology
• Dietary Studies

Background:

• Trace elements like zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) are vital for human health.
• Dietary choices significantly impact the bioavailability and status of essential micronutrients.
• Vegetarian diets, while offering benefits, may pose challenges in meeting requirements for certain minerals and trace elements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare plasma concentrations of zinc, copper, magnesium, and selenium status between vegetarians and nonvegetarians.
• To investigate the copper/zinc ratio in both dietary groups.
• To assess the implications of a vegetarian diet on antioxidant trace element status.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 44 vegetarians and age/sex-matched nonvegetarians in Bratislava, Slovakia.
• Measurement of plasma zinc, copper, and magnesium concentrations.
• Assessment of selenium status using plasma and erythrocyte concentrations and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity.

Main Results:

• Vegetarians exhibited significantly lower plasma zinc and copper levels compared to nonvegetarians.
• No significant difference in plasma magnesium levels was observed between the groups.
• Selenium status, indicated by plasma/erythrocyte Se concentrations and GPx activity, was significantly lower in vegetarians.
• Strong correlations were found between plasma and erythrocyte Se levels and GPx activity in the overall study population.

Conclusions:

• A vegetarian diet may lead to insufficient intake of essential antioxidant trace elements, specifically zinc, copper, and selenium.
• Lower bioavailability of Zn and Cu from vegetarian diets could explain the observed lower plasma levels.
• Selenium supplementation is advisable for vegetarians to mitigate potential deficiencies and support antioxidant functions.