[Survey of Serum Iron, Zinc, and Copper Deficiency prevalence in urban and rural areas in Tehran district]

Background: in view of the importance of micronutrients in metabolism and their critical role in health improvement and due to the fact that no comprehensive information on biochemical status of micronutrients exists, this study was carried out to determine the deficiencies of serum iron, zinc and copper in Tehran district

Materials and Methods: 206 families including 612 subjects [320 subjects in the city and 292 subjects in villages], 265 males [43%] and 347 females [57%] aged 3 to 83 years and mean +/- SD 39+/-19 years were randomly selected by cluster sampling. Individual questionnaires and demographic data were filled.Height and weight were measured and Body Mass Index [BMI] was calculated. Then 10 ml of blood samples were collected and serum iron, zinc and copper assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometery

Results: the results showed that the micronutrients deficiency was highly prevalent in Tehran. Mean serum iron was 114+/-45 [micro]g/dl. No differences existed in mean concentrations between urban and rural areas. Mean serum copper was higher in the city compared to the villages [75+/-27 VS 67+/-23 [micro]g/dl] while mean serum zinc was higher in rural 140+/-36 compared to urban areas 101+/-33 [micro]g/dl. No one had zinc deficiency in rural areas while 19% of the city dwellers were zinc deficient. Iron deficiency was higher in urban compared to rural areas [6% and 3%]. Rural subjects were more deficient in copper [68%] compared to urban subjects [55%]. Percentage of zinc deficiency in males and females were similar. Iron deficiency prevalence was lower, while copper deficiency was higher in females compared to males. Iron and zinc deficiency were higher in older subjects, whereas copper deficiency was more prevalent in younger people

Conclusion: because of the high prevalence of the deficiencies of these micronutrients, further surveys in other districts and studies on the etiology and curative measures are recommended

[Evaluation of food intake in ulcerative colitis patients]

Ulcerative colitis [UC] is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon of unknown cause that is associated with important nutrition deficiencies such as protein-energy malnutrition, vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Because no study has been carried out to date in Iran, the aim of this pilot study was the assessment of dietary intake of these patients. In this pilot study, 41 UC patients whose disease severity was mild or moderate were selected. Data about diet restrictions were collected via a questionnaire and dietary intake was assessed 3 times during a 2 month period with 30 days interval and 3-day food-recall [9days in general]. Subjects were 26 men and 15 women and 65.9% patients avoided completely or limited milk intake. Dietary limitation about fruits and vegetables was 24.4 and 43.9 percent, respectively and legumes intake was 58.5%. Mean calorie intake in 41 patients was 2125.14 +/- 60.83 calories/day and in two groups, calcium and fiber intake was significantly less than the standard dietary recommendation. Dietary intake examination showed some deficiencies such as calcium and iron deficiency and fiber intake was low because the intake of fruits, vegetables and legumes was limited

[Effects of zinc supplementation on glucose, insulin and zinc levels in men aged 50-65 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus]

Background: Considering the high prevalence of zinc deficiency in Iran and important role of zinc in health of men, especially diabetic patients, this study was carried out to determine the effects of zinc supplementation on zinc, insulin and glucose levels in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 50-65 years

Materials and Methods: A randomized double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted on 54 diabetic patients. None of them suffered from any disease other than type 2 diabetes mellitus. The subjects were matched according to age, duration of the disease, body mass index [BMI] and waist to hip ratio [WHR]. Then subjects were randomly assigned to receive either a zinc supplement [25 mg Zn/day, in sulfate form] or placebo for 2 months. Before and after the study period, fasting blood samples was taken from each patient to determine blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin, C-peptide concentrations, serum and leukocytes zinc. 2hpp and urinary glucose and zinc concentration were measured

Results: After treatment mean fasting blood glucose and 2hpp increased in both groups [p

Conclusion: In the present study, zinc supplementation had no significant effects on zinc, insulin and glucose levels in diabetic subjects