Dietary Zinc Intake of a Group of Long-Stay Mentally Handicapped Women
ietary factors affecting zinc bioavailability were evaluated according to their
relative distribution in the individual daily meals making up the basic diet of 17 institutionalized,
mentally handicapped adult women. Mean intake values of zinc, phytate, nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP),
calcium, protein, and energy were calculated from dietary survey of 7 consecutive days, which also
served to obtain predictor formulas, phytate/Zn millimolar ratio and [Ca][phytate]/ [Zn][energy] ratio.
Mean daily zinc intake was 8.5 +/-1.8 mg, with noon and evening meals accounting for the highest
contribution to this value (45% and 35% respectively), whereas breakfast meals' contribution was 16%.
The mean protein intake was 55+/-13 g, with noon and evening meals being the major contributors to
total daily intake (42% and 38%, respectively). Breakfast meals accounted for 77% of daily phytate
intake, giving a respective phytate/Zinc millimolar ratio of 20.4 +/-7.6 and a [Ca][phytate]/[Zn][energy]
ratio of 336+/-127 mmol/Mcal. Values for both ratios based on noon and evening meals were negligible in
comparison. The mean daily NSP intake was 9.8+/-4.2 g, with 53% of total daily intake supplied from
breakfast meals, whereas noon and evening meals accounting for 30% and 14% respectively. The results,
while suggesting that zinc bioavailability is unlikely to be adversely affected, indicated that dietary
fiber intake levels are probably inadequate, particularly in view of the non ambulant condition and low
physical activity prevalent in such individuals, who may, as a consequence, be susceptible to health
disorders associated with impaired bowel function and constipation.
Razagui IB, Barlow PJ, Taylor KDA, Izmeth MG, Biol Trace Res 1999;68;25-39
Copyright © 2003 Anamol Laboratories Ltd.
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