Zinc intake and plasma zinc level are maintained in men consuming cholesterol-lowering diets.
OBJECTIVE
Reduced zinc intake has been reported when cholesterol-lowering diets are adopted. This study examined whether such diets compromise the zinc status of men with hypercholesterolemia.


METHODS
Zinc intake on baseline 4-day food records and baseline plasma zinc levels were compared with intake and levels 12 and 24 months after subjects adopted a low-fat, increased-fiber diet. Dietary fiber intake, supplement use, alcohol intake, and exercise were evaluated as possible confounding variables.


METHODS
Subjects were free-living men (n = 365) with baseline cholesterol level above the 75th percentile who were participants in a randomized trial comparing cholesterol-lowering diets with goals of 30%, 26%, 22%, and 18% of energy from fat and 300, 200, 100, and 100 mg cholesterol, respectively.


METHODS
Data were analyzed using two sample t tests, multiple linear regression, and analysis of variance.


RESULTS
For all subjects combined, mean fat and cholesterol intakes approached or met the guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program step 2 diet, with approximately 30 g fiber per day. Density (mg/1,000 kcal) of zinc intake was unchanged from the baseline value. We found a slightly positive relationship between fiber and zinc intakes; no relationship between fiber intake and plasma zinc level; no effect of supplement use (category included all types of supplements), alcohol use, or level of exercise on plasma zinc levels; and no difference by dietary assignment in zinc intake or plasma zinc levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Zinc status does not appear to be at risk in adult men who adopt cholesterol-lowering diets. These results may not be generalized to higher-risk population groups or situations in which dietary counseling is less comprehensive.
Retzlaff
B M
BM
University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Walden
C E
CE
McNeney
W B
WB
Dowdy
A A
AA
Knopp
R H
RH
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000592:standards; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D002784:Cholesterol; D015032:Zinc