Dietary intakes of zinc and copper and cardiovascular risk factors in Tehranian adults: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the intakes of zinc and copper in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in a group of Tehranian adults. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 2750 individuals, selected among participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and CVD risk factors were evaluated. Results: After adjustment of possible confounders, the dietary zinc intake was found to have a negative relation with serum HDL-C (β = -0.47, P = 0.027), triglycerides (TG) (β = -0.003, P = 0.032) and 2-hour blood glucose (β = -1.6, P = 0.017) levels in women. Prevalence of MetS was not associated with dietary zinc intake when confounding factors were included in the statistical model. Comparing the highest versus the lowest intake categories of dietary copper, the multivariable adjusted odds ratios for HDL-C, fasting blood glucose(FBG), TG and MetS were 1.75 (1.43-2.25)(P for trend = 0.003), 0.90 (0.76-1.23)(P for trend = 0.017), 0.11(0.08-0.21) (P for trend = 0.042) and 0.19 (0.15-0.38)(P for trend = 0.023), respectively. Conclusions: The results indicate gender differences in the association between zinc intake and CVD risk factors; in women, lower consumption of dietary zinc was associated with increased levels of serum TG and 2-hour BG and decreased levels of HDL-C, while Copper intake was negatively associated with higher risk of MetS and its components (FBG, HDL-C and TG). © 2013 Dietitians Association of Australia.