Abstract
【Aim】Previous studies reported that zinc deficiency leads to various diseases. Therefore, the relationship between the serum zinc concentration and diet was assessed among patients receiving hemodialysis in our hospital. 【Methods】A cross-sectional study was performed on 39 chronic hemodialysis patients using a dietary assessment with the Food Frequency Questionnaire Based on Food Groups (FFQg) to assess its relationship with the serum zinc concentration. 【Results】 A simple regression analysis indicated that the serum concentration of zinc was strongly correlated with that of albumin (R=0.55, p<0.01), while it was weakly correlated with the total cholesterol level (R=0.32, p=0.05). A multivariate regression analysis (R=0.45) demonstrated that dietary potassium (t=3.0, p<0.01) and phosphate (t=−2.3, p<0.05) were associated with the serum zinc level. A stepwise analysis showed that, among the various components of nutritional intake, vitamin C was a major determinant of the serum zinc level (t=3.9, p<0.0001). Among the various food groups analyzed, the serum zinc level was found to be related to the intake of vegetables, potatoes, and especially fruit (t=3.2, p<0.01). 【Conclusion】The present data raise the possibility that consuming vitamin C and/or avoiding excess dietary phosphate can prevent zinc deficiency, thus providing a new strategy for improving the nutritional control of zinc.
