Blood zinc, copper and magnesium in aging. A study in healthy home-living elderly.
BACKGROUND
Blood concentrations of copper, zinc and magnesium were determined in healthy elderly to assess whether aging interferes with mineral and micronutrient status.


METHODS



METHODS
case series.


METHODS
Internal Medicine and Geriatrics ambulatories in a University Hospital in Pisa, a city of Central Italy.


METHODS
143 healthy outpatients of both sexes, who underwent a cardiological examination.


METHODS
no treatment and intervention were performed.


METHODS
copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and magnesium--both intraerythrocytic (iMg) and extracellular (eMg)--were measured.


RESULTS
The concentrations of Cu and eMg were found significantly higher in the elderly: Cu 117.5 +/- 17.0 micrograms/dl in the elderly vs 102.5 +/- 19.6 micrograms/dl in the younger (p < 0.001); eMg 1.8 +/- 0.2 in the elderly vs 1.7 +/- 0.2 mEq/l in the younger (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the levels of Zn and iMg did not differ in the two groups: Zn 113.3 +/- 14.9 micrograms/dl in the elderly vs 118.0 +/- 17.3 micrograms/dl in the younger, p = n.s.; iMg 4.3 +/- 0.4 mEq/l in the elderly vs 4.2 +/- 0.4 mEq/l in the younger, p = n.s. No correlation was found between age and single elements.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the healthy free-living elderly have an adequate mineral intake. Nutrient supplements may by useful in the elderly with chronic diseases, comorbidities, and polypharmacy to prevent further age dysfunctions.
Del Corso
L
L
Section of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Pastine
F
F
Protti
M A
MA
Romanelli
A M
AM
Moruzzo
D
D
Ruocco
L
L
Pentimone
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
D003300:Copper; D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc