PURPOSE: This study was aimed to assess selenium and zinc status in female collegiate athletes and their relationship with dietary intake. METHODS: Female collegiate athletic groups of judo and aerobics, and healthy sedentary collegiate females were recruited for this study and their serum selenium and zinc contents were measured by the neutron activation analysis (NAA) method. In addition, the dietary intake of subjects was measured using the two days 24-hour recall method. RESULTS: Serum selenium in judo athletes was 10.7 µg/dl, which was significantly lower than that of aerobic athletes (12.2 µg/dl), but not different from that of the sedentary group (11.4 µg/dl). Additionally, serum zinc levels were 96.1 µg/dl and 90.2 µg/dl in aerobic and judo athletes, respectively, which did not differ significantly. Moreover, dietary selenium and zinc intake of the athletic groups did not differ significantly from that of the sedentary female group. Overall, 33.3% of the serum selenium concentration variation was explained by the intake of vitamin E, selenium and saturated fatty acids, while 14.7% of the serum zinc level variation was explained by the intake of saturated fatty acids. The strongest dietary indicator for serum selenium and zinc levels was saturated fatty acids intake. CONCLUSION: Judo athletes appear to have lower selenium status than aerobic athletes, suggesting different body selenium status according to sport type. To maintain body selenium and zinc levels, the dietary intake of saturated fatty acids should be decreased.
Athletes* ; Fatty Acids ; Female* ; Humans ; Martial Arts ; Methods ; Neutron Activation Analysis ; Selenium* ; Sports ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins ; Zinc*

The Na, component of salt, can increase the risk of high blood pressure and hypertension. Especially, children are exposed to an increased risk of high sodium intake, because they often consume Na-rich processed foods and commercially prepared foods in the street. However, the database for the sodium and chloride content for these children's favorite foods is insufficient. In this study, the Na and Cl contents in 89 children's favorite foods were analyzed by using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) method. The analyzed food items were presented after being classified into 33 kinds of food groups. The Na contents in 100 g children's favorite foods ranged from 0.3 mg to 35.1mg in fruits, 28.9mg to 82.5mg in milks, 127.2 mg to 602.2 mg in breads, cakes, sandwiches, and rice cakes, 2.5 mg to 1169.9 mg in candies, cookies and ice creams, 226.9 mg to 693.7 mg in commercially prepared street foods, and 103.4 mg to 875.8 mg in fast foods of westernized restaurant. Among children's favorite food groups, 100 g fried chicken, hotdog, burgers, and donuts contained an average Na of 536 mg, 553 mg, 794 mg, and 562.2 mg, respectively, so they are classified as 'high Na foods'. In contrast, 100 g fruits and dairy products contained Na an average 4.9 mg and 43.4 mg, respectively, being classified as 'low Na foods'. One serving of ramen, mandudnoodle, and burgerdpizza can supply over 667mg Na, which is one third of the KDRI targeted intake. Likewise, the Cl contents in children's favorite foods were diverse according to food groups. The Cl contents in the analyzed foods differed from the 1.5 times of Na content, which is assumed in general. This study showed that the Na and Cl contents in children's favorite foods are very diverse. Conclusively, a strategy to reduce Na contents in the fast foods such as noodles and westernized restaurant foods is necessary for children health.
Bread ; Candy ; Chickens ; Child ; Dairy Products ; Fast Foods ; Fruit ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Ice Cream ; Milk ; Neutron Activation Analysis ; Restaurants ; Snacks ; Sodium

Selenium is an antioxidant trace element linked to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Although diet is a major source, relatively little else is known about independent determinants of selenium levels in free-living humans. In this study, we aimed to investigate the independent demographic, lifestyle, and dietary determinants of selenium levels in 1,997 men and 1,905 women in two large prospective U.S. cohorts. Toenail selenium levels were quantified using neutron activation analysis. Diet, geographic residence, demographic, and environmental factors were assessed by validated self-administered questionnaires. Multivariate generalized linear models were conducted to assess the independent relations of these factors with toenail selenium levels, correcting for measurement error in the diet. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, independent predictors of higher selenium were male gender (6.3% higher levels); living in West and Northern-Midwest U.S. regions (8.9% and 7.4% higher than Southern-Midwest regions, respectively); consumption of beef and bread products (between 0.7 - 2.5% higher per daily serving); and selenium supplement use (6.9% higher than non-users); whereas cigarette smoking (5-10% lower than never smokers) , older age (0.6% lower per 5 years), and consumption of eggs, white rice, dairy products, coffee, and alcohol (between 0.1 to 2.0% lower per daily serving) were associated with lower selenium. Multiple dietary and non-dietary factors independently predicted selenium levels, suggesting that both consumption and non-dietary processes (e.g., related to oxidant status) may affect levels. Significant geographic variation in selenium levels exists in the US.
Bread ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Coffee ; Cohort Studies ; Dairy Products ; Diet ; Eggs ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Linear Models ; Male ; Nails ; Neutron Activation Analysis ; Ovum ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Selenium ; Smoking

Zinc is an antioxidant trace mineral, scavenging free radicals and known to be involved in inflammatory reactions. The prevalence of atherogenic diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD) are increasing in Korean adults of middle age and elderly. The increased cell damage from free radicals and inflammation have been implicated in etiology of CHD, and the evidence is accumulating that low zinc status is involved in the prevalence of this inflammatory atherogenic disease. However, little is known about the zinc status of Korean CHD and its relationship with dietary zinc intake and zinc bioavailabilty. In this study the serum zinc levels of male patients with CHD over 40 yrs. were compared with that of healthy adult males and its associations with dietary zinc intake and zinc bioavailabilty affecting factors were examined. Serum zinc level was measured by HANARO research reactor using neutron activation analysis (NAA) method. The overall proportion of patients with zinc deficiency, serum zinc concentrations below 74.0 microgram/dL was 32.8% compared to the 10.3% in healthy group. The average serum zinc levels were 80.7 microgram/dL and 88.3 microgram/dL in patients and healthy group, respectively, showing significantly low zinc status in CHD patients compared to healthy group. The intake of nutrients such as energy, carbohydrate, iron, and copper of CHD patients was significantly higher compared to that of the healthy group. In addition, the intake of calcium, iron, and protein from vegetable foods was significantly higher in CHD patients than that of healthy group. The dietary zinc intake was 12.7+/-4.5 mg and 11.5+/-6.9 mg in CHD patients and control group, respectively, which showed no difference. The phytate intake of patients group, which is 1389.0 mg, was significantly higher than the control group which showed 1104.8 mg. However, the ratio of phytate :zinc or phytate *calcium :zinc per 1000 kcal energy intake did not show any difference between two groups. The serum zinc levels did not show any correlation with zinc or factors that affect the bioavailability of zinc. The dietary factors influencing the zinc status were not found in CHD patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Biological Availability ; Calcium ; Copper ; Coronary Disease* ; Energy Intake ; Free Radicals ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Iron ; Male* ; Middle Aged ; Neutron Activation Analysis ; Phytic Acid ; Prevalence ; Vegetables ; Zinc*

PURPOSE: The number of patients with dyslipidemia have been increasing steadily over the past few decades in South Korea. The association between the chromium level and chronic disease has attracted considerable interest, but few studies have been conducted on the Korean population. The aim of this study was to identify the dietary and non-dietary correlates of the toenail chromium level, and evaluate the association between the toenail chromium level and dyslipidemia. METHODS: The baseline data of an ongoing prospective cohort study in Yeungnam area in South Korea were analyzed. A total of 500 participants aged 35 years or older who completed questionnaires on their demographics, lifestyle characteristics, and medical information were included. The toenail chromium level was analyzed by neutron activation analysis. The dietary intake was assessed using a validated 146-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The blood lipid profiles were obtained from medical examinations conducted by the Korean National Health Insurance Service or medical institutions. RESULTS: Higher chromium levels were associated with the residential area (urban), higher education level, higher intakes of noodles and vegetables, and lower intake of fruits. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the toenail chromium levels were not associated significantly with the prevalence of dyslipidemia (odds ratio: 0.99, 95% confidence interval: 0.61 ~ 1.60). CONCLUSION: This study is the first study in Korea to determine the independent correlates of the toenail chromium levels and the association between chromium exposure and dyslipidemia. These findings provide useful scientific evidence for the development of chromium intake guidelines for the Korean population.
Chromium ; Chronic Disease ; Cohort Studies ; Demography ; Dyslipidemias ; Education ; Fruit ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Nails ; National Health Programs ; Neutron Activation Analysis ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Vegetables

Se and Fe are trace minerals acting as antioxidant scavenging free radicals. Iron deficiency is the most frequently reported nutritional deficiency in females. Body iron status are known to be dependent not only upon dietary iron intake, but also upon micro-mineral nutrition and obesity. Antioxidants such as selenium are reported to play an important role on the regulation of erythropoiesis by protecting RBC membrane from antioxidative damage. In this study, iron status in young females and its relationships with selenium status and physique were examined. Serum selenium and iron concentrations were measured by HANARO research reactor using neutron activation analysis method (NAA-method). The proportion with iron deficiency and anemia were 27.1% and 8.6%, respectively in young females, but the proportion with iron deficient anemia was 1.4%. The mean serum selenium level was 12.0 microgram/dL and in normal range in the young women. The study participants were tertiled according to BMI and serum selenium levels. Serum ferritin and iron levels inclined with increasing BMI tertiles. Serum iron and RBC count were higher in middle selenium group than low selenium group. Individuals had significantly lower hematocrit level in the lowest tertile for their serum selenium levels compared with the highest tertile. The serum ferritin level was predicted 25% by BMI and RBC count 26.2% by the serum selenium level and body fat%. In conclusion, this study shows that body iron status in young adult females are influenced by obesity and body selenium status.
Adult ; Anemia ; Antioxidants ; Erythropoiesis ; Female ; Ferritins ; Free Radicals ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Iron ; Iron, Dietary ; Malnutrition ; Membranes ; Minerals ; Neutron Activation Analysis ; Obesity ; Reference Values ; Selenium ; Young Adult

Selenium is a strong antioxidant trace mineral, scavenging free radicals. The prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases is increasing in Korean adults with increasing age. The increased cell damage from free radicals has been implicated in the etiology of these diseases, and evidence is accumulating that the low selenium status that comes with advanced aged is involved in the prevalence of age-associated diseases. However, little is known about the selenium status of Koreans, its age-related change and its relationship to dietary nutrient intake. In this study, the serum selenium levels of healthy adult females according to life cycle and its association with blood albumin levels and nutrient intake were examined. Serum selenium level was measured with the Huwo research reactor using the neutron activation analysis method (NAA). The overall proportion of women with selenium deficiency, serum selenium concentrations below 7.0 microgram/dl, was 9.4%. The average serum selenium levels were 12.39 microgram/dl, 9.45 microgram/dl and 9.16 microgram/dl in the young adult, middle-aged and elderly groups, respectively, showing a reduction of selenium status with advancing age. Selenium deficiency was seen only in the elderly group. Generally, serum selenium levels positively or negatively correlated with nutrient intake, but these association patterns differed depending on the age. The nutrients that showed positive correlations with selenium levels were proteins and phosphate in the young adult group (p<0.05, p<0.05), and total calcium, potassium and vegetable-origin calcium in the middle-aged group. Vitamin C and fiber were the negative correlated nutrients with serum selenium levels in the elderly group (p<0.05, p<0.05). Multiple stepwise regression analysis of the determining factors responsible for selenium status showed that age and serum albumin levels were important factors which explained up to 26.9% variances in serum selenium levels. The average selenium concentrations of Korean adult female subjects were above the deficiency levels in all three age groups. There was a tendency toward decreasing selenium levels as the age of the subjects increased. The factors with the strongest in-fluence on selenium status in healthy adult Korean females were age and serum protein status.
Adult* ; Aged ; Ascorbic Acid ; Calcium ; Female* ; Free Radicals ; Humans ; Life Cycle Stages* ; Neutron Activation Analysis ; Potassium ; Prevalence ; Selenium* ; Serum Albumin ; Young Adult