Zinc May Reduce Risk of Osteoporosis

Zinc May Reduce Risk of Osteoporosis

SAN DIEGO--Dietary zinc intake has been linked to a reduced risk ofosteoporosis in men, according to a study published in the September 2004 issueof The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

At baseline, 396 men between the ages of 45 and 92 were assessed for bonemineral density (BMD), dietary zinc intake via a food-frequency questionnaire,and plasma zinc concentration by means of inductively coupled plasmaspectroscopy. Four years later, the subjects were once again assessed.

Mean dietary zinc intake was 11.2 mg, while mean plasma zinc concentrationwas 12.7 µmol/L. Total zinc intake was correlated with plasma zinc, independentof body mass index or age. Dietary and plasma zinc were lower in men withosteoporosis at the hip and spine than in men without osteoporosis at theselocations. BMDs for the hip, spine and distal wrist were significantly lower inmen in the lowest zinc quartile than in men with higher plasma concentrations ofzinc.

The scientists concluded dietary zinc intake and plasma zinc have a positiveassociation with BMD in men.