ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the levels of 8 minerals that are related to human health in serum of elderly popu?lation in Tianjin and to provide evidence based guidance for scientifical and rational dietary. Methods Venous blood was collected from 714 elderly people and the levels of 8 minerals were examined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spec?trometry (ICP-MS). Results The percentage of the elderly people who are short of at least one mineral was up to 92.7%. The percentages of deficiency in serum zinc, manganese, magnesium, chrome, iron, calcium, copper, selenium are 79.3%, 73.4%, 58.5%, 42.4%, 39.8%, 23.0%, 1.5%and 0.6%respectively . The level of Ferrum in men’s serum is higher than that in women, while the levels of calcium, chrome and copper in men’s serum are lower than those in women. Conclusion The level of the minerals is generally low in the elderly population from Tianjin and ways were needed in improving dietary.