title: Zinc status of elderly black Americans from urban low-income households.
abstract: The zinc status of 135 elderly blacks, aged 60 to 87 years, from urban low-income households was evaluated based on the zinc content of hair and/or serum. The mean (+/- SD) hair zinc concentration was 142 +/- 77 microgram/g and the mean (+/- SD) serum zinc concentration was 93 +/- 15 microgram/dl. Of the study population 39% had a hair zinc concentration less than or equal to 100 microgram/g and/or a serum zinc concentration less than or equal to 80 microgram/dl. Eleven percent had a hair zinc concentration less than or equal to 70 microgram/g and/or a serum zinc concentration less than or equal to 70 microgram/dl. These findings suggest that the zinc status of this elderly population may be less than ideal.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D001741:Black or African American
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc