Zinc supplementation has no effect on lipoprotein metabolism, hemostasis, and putative indices of copper status in healthy men

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2003 Summer;93(1-3):75-86. doi: 10.1385/bter:93:1-3:75.

Abstract

Pharmacological doses of zinc can adversely affect body copper status. The resulting copper deficiency can impact directly upon cholesterol metabolism and a suboptimal copper status has been observed to influence markers of hemostasis (specifically fibrinogen and the copper-containing coagulation factors V and VIII). The aim of this investigation was to examine the effect of a low level of zinc supplementation, to include dietary intake, at the United States tolerable upper intake level of 40 mg/d upon indicators of lipid metabolism, hemostasis, and copper. Thirty-eight subjects were recruited onto a double-blind placebo-controlled intervention trial and randomly selected to one of two groups. Group 1 took zinc supplements (30 mg/d) for 14 wk followed by copper supplements (3 mg/d) for 8 wk (to counteract adverse effects, if any, of zinc supplementation). A second group took placebo supplements for the full duration of the trial. Estimated dietary zinc intake approximated 10 mg/d. The effect of supplement was analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance (anova). Results indicate that no effect of zinc supplementation on putative indices of copper status, lipoprotein metabolism, and markers of hemostasis. These results indicate that short-term low-level zinc supplementation (total intake 40 mg/d) is not detrimental to health.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Copper / blood
  • Copper / metabolism*
  • Dietary Supplements* / adverse effects
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Health*
  • Hemostasis / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins / blood
  • Lipoproteins / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Zinc / administration & dosage
  • Zinc / adverse effects
  • Zinc / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Lipoproteins
  • Copper
  • Zinc