Zinc status of elderly black Americans from urban low-income households

Abstract

The zinc status of 135 elderly blacks, aged 60 to 87 years, from urban low-income households was evaluated based on the zinc content of hair and/or scrum. The mean (± SD) hair zinc concentration was 142 ± 77 µg/g and the mean (± SD) serum zinc concentration was 93 ± 15 µg/dl. Of the study population 39% had a hair zinc concentration < 100 µg/g and/or a serum zinc concentration < 80 µg/dl. Eleven percent had a hair zinc concentration < 70 µg/g and/or a serum zinc concentration < 70 µg/dl. These findings suggest that the zinc status of this elderly population may be less than ideal.