• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.257-268
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Zinc is an essential trace mineral which is important for the growth and development of the human body and immunological and neurological functions. Inadequate zinc intake may cause zinc deficiency with its adverse consequences. In this study, we aimed to estimate the dietary zinc intake levels and sources among Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: For this secondary analysis, we obtained data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2016-2019. Individuals aged ≥ 1 yr who had completed a 24-h recall were included. The dietary zinc intake of each individual was calculated by applying data from a newly developed zinc content database to the KNHANES raw data. We also compared the extracted data with the sex-, age-specific reference values suggested in the Korean Dietary Reference Intakes 2020. The prevalence of adequate zinc intake was then evaluated by the proportion of the individuals who met the estimated average requirement (EAR). RESULTS: The mean zinc intake of Koreans aged ≥ 1 yr and adults aged ≥ 19 yrs were 10.2 and 10.4 mg/day, equivalent to 147.4% and 140.8% of the EAR, respectively. Approximately 2 in 3 Koreans met the EAR for zinc, but the zinc intake differed slightly among the different age and sex groups. In children aged 1-2 yrs, 2 out of 5 exceeded the upper level of intake, and nearly half of the younger adults (19-29 yrs) and the elders (≥ 75 yrs) did not meet the EAR. The major contributing food groups were grains (38.9%), meats (20.4%), and vegetables (11.1%). The top 5 food contributors to zinc intake were rice, beef, pork, egg, and baechu kimchi, which accounted for half of the dietary intake. CONCLUSION: The mean zinc intake among Koreans was above the recommended level, but 1 in 3 Koreans had inadequate zinc intake and some children were at risk of excessive zinc intake. Our study included zinc intake from diet only, thus to better understand zinc status, further research to include intake from dietary supplements is needed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.380-384
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• 2013

Zinc may participate in blood pressure regulation and in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The study examined the relationship between zinc status and blood pressure in obese Korean women. Forty obese women (body mass index (BMI) ${\geq}25kg/m^2$) aged 19-28 years participated in this study. Zinc intake was estimated from one 24 hour recall and 2-day diet records. Serum and urinary zinc concentrations were determined by atomic absorbance spectrophotometry. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured using an automatic sphygmometer. Metabolic variables, such as waist circumference, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin, were also measured. Dietary zinc intake of obese women was averagely 7.5 mg/day. Serum zinc and urinary zinc concentrations were $13.4{\mu}mol/L$ and $378.7{\mu}g/day$, respectively. Averages of SBP and DBP were 119 mmHg and 78 mmHg. Dietary zinc intake was negatively correlated with SBP after adjusting for energy intake (P < 0.05), but serum and urinary zinc concentrations were not found to be correlated with SBP or DBP. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that dietary zinc intake was inversely associated with SBP in obese women after adjusting for body weight, energy intake and sodium intake (P = 0.0145). The results show that dietary zinc intake may be an independent risk factor of elevated SBP in obese Korean women.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.52-62
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• 1997

This study was intended to examine the zinc status of free-living adult women living in the Taegu region. Zine intake of 102 female subjects was measured by food frequency method for 3 consecutive days. Urinary zine was assessed from urine samples collected fir twenty four hours. Average dietary zinc intake of adult female subjects using food record was 5.9$\pm$1.8mg which was 49$\%$of Korean RDA. When zine intake by frequency method was higher than by food record. Average urinary zine intake by frequency method was higher than that by food record. Thus, it appeared that zinc intake by frequency method was higher than that by food record. Average urinary zinc excretion of 102 adult female subjects was 0.28$\pm$0.16mg, which belonged to marginal zinc deficiency range. Fifty nine of 102 subjects showed marginal zinc deficiency as assessed by urinary zinc excretion. If we compare the zinc status of adult female subjects by age group, zinc intake in the 50s was significantly higher than any other age groups. However, there were no significant differences in zinc status according to BMI groups and BMI groups. Significant correlations were found between zinc intake and energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat intake. Based on dietary zinc intake and urinary zinc, we concluded that zinc status of adult female living in the Taegu region is marginally deficient.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1324-1377
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• 1998

This study was conducted for two purposes ; (1) to develop a database for zinc levels in commonly usef Korean food items ; and (2) to calculated the zinc intake fo Korean adults living in a rural area. The currently used Korean food compositinotable was supplemented in term sof zinc content using several methods ; (1) analyzing 98 Korean Food items frequently consumed by Korean adults living in rural area. ; (2) adapting values from U.S Minnesota for 71 items ; and (3) imputing values from similar food for 282 items. A new zinc nutrient databse was constructed including zinc contentrs of 1,195 food items. Zinc intake of rural Korean adults was estimated by a 240hours recall method from 2 ,037 adults over 30 over 30years of age in Yeonchon -gun , Kyunggi province of Korea. Mean daily zinc intake of all subjects was 61mg an dmean intake level of males (7.0mg/day, 46.85 of RDA) was significantly thigher than females(5.2mg/day, 43.0% of RDA). Subjects in their 40's had the highest zinc intak ewhile those over 70 years of age consumed the least amount of zinc. The food group that contributed most to the dietary ainc intake of subjects was cereals and grain products supplying 38% of total zinc intake. The next most important group for zinc intak ewas the meat, poultry , and product group supplying 26% ot total intake. This group was followed by fishes and shellfishes, legumes and their products, and vegetales . For individual food items , reicecontribued most, supplying 27% of total zinc intake follwoed by beef(10%) and prok(9%) . Altogether, plant foods supplied 68% of zinc intake suggesting that the bioabailability of dietary ainc is low. In conclusion, these results show ethat the zinc intake of rural Korean adults is low and that sources of dietary zinc are mainly plant foods, suggesting low bioavailability . Further studies are needed to determine zinc intake and status of Korean population. The zinc database developed in this study will be very valuable for such studies.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.484-492
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• 2000

In an attempt to figure out the relationship between zinc status and taste acuity of old and young women, dietary zinc intake, urinary zinc excretion, and taste acuity were determined for 118 women. Zinc intake was measured by 2-day food records and food frequency method. Urinary zinc excretion was measured from urine samples collected for twenty four hours. Body fat, lean body mass (LBM), and total body water were measured by bio-impedence. Average dietary zinc intake by food record was 4.15$\pm$1.33mg (=35% if Korean RDA) for the old women and 5.41$\pm$2.76mg (=25% of RDA) for young women. When zinc intake was measured by a frequency method, the average intakes of the old and young women were 3.5$\pm$1.7mg 4.5$\pm$1.9mg, respectively. It appears that dietary zinc intake of young women was significantly higher than that of the old women. Average urinary zinc excretion of the subjects was 0.27$\pm$0.16mg in the elderly and 0.24$\pm$0.13mg in young women, which indicated a marginal zinc status. However, zinc status was not significantly different between old and young women. Correlation analysis indicated that zinc intake and urinary zinc excretion were positively related to BMI and LBM in young women. The old women (m=49) showed significantly higher taste detection thresholds than young subjects (n=47) for both sweet and salty tastes. Recognition thresholds for sodium chloride and sucrose were not significantly different between old and young women. The lower the taste thresholds for salty taste, the higher the average dietary zinc intake. However, taste perception concentration was not related to the urinary zinc excretion level.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.277-286
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• 1999

This study was conducted to assess dietary intake and nutritional status of zinc and copper in Korean college women. Dietary survey was conducted by 24-hour recall method and fasting serum samples were collected from 111 apparently healthy subjects. Intake levels of zinc and copper were calculated using newly developed database for Zn & Cu of Korea food. Serum levels of Zn, Cu and activities of ALP, EC-SOD were measured from fasting serum sample. Mean daily zinc and copper intakes were 6.72mg/day(56.0% RDA) and 1.11mg/day respectively. Mean values of serum ALP activity, zinc and copper concentration were 43.9U/L, 14.8umol/1, 15.5umol/1and these values were mostly within normal range. EC-SOD activitis of the subjects were low and had no correlation with intake or serum levels of Zn, Cu. In conclusion, these results show that zinc and copper intake of Koran college women are lower than those from other counties but higher than those of adults in rural area of Korea. Their serum levels of Zn, Cu, ALP are relatively normal. These results indicate that marginal deficiency of Zn and Cu may be quite prevalent in these subjects but serum indicators measured may not be sensitive enough to detect such marginal deficiency. Further study in needed to develop a biochemical index sensitive enough to evaluate Zn and Cu status.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1211-1224
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the food sources of zinc and the usual intake of dietary zinc among Korean toddlers and preschool children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 2,679 children aged 1-5 years was selected from the 2009-2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. Dietary data collected from a single 24-h recall were used to evaluate the food sources of zinc. To estimate usual zinc intake, the distribution obtained from single 24-h recall data in the total sample was adjusted using the ratio of within-to-between-person variance in zinc intake obtained from 2-day 24-h recall sub-sample data of the 2009 KNHANES. The proportion of children with usual zinc intake below the estimated average requirement (EAR) and above the tolerable upper intake level (UL) was assessed. RESULTS: The main sources of zinc in Korean children were grains, dairy products, and meat. The mean usual intakes of zinc among all individuals, those aged 1-2 yrs, and those aged 3-5 yrs were 5.50, 5.01, and 5.83 mg/d, respectively. In all participants, 1.1% of the children consumed zinc below the EAR, whereas 10.7% exceeded the UL. The proportion of children with excessive zinc intake was 25.6% in the 1-2 yrs age group and 0.6% in the 3-5 yrs age group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the current UL, the risk of excessive zinc intake appears to be high among Korean toddlers. Future studies that monitor the health effects of excessive zinc intake are needed to appropriately guide zinc intake in children.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.365-375
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• 2024

Purpose: Zinc is involved in regulating homeostasis and metabolism in the body, and understanding these processes is important for estimating intake requirements. This review aimed to assist in setting the standards for Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs, 2025) for zinc by examining specific factors associated with role of zinc in the body and using the factorial analysis method. Methods: We reviewed the zinc-specific factors that should be considered when setting the required zinc intake to maintain zinc homeostasis in the body and used the factorial analysis method for estimating zinc requirements for different population groups. Results: Factorial analysis involves estimating the required intake based on various factors that affect zinc metabolism and requirements. The key components and steps involved in determining the zinc dietary reference intake (DRI), particularly the estimated average requirement (EAR), include: 1) Estimating basal requirements, which involves calculating the amount of zinc needed to replace natural losses through the intestinal (feces) and non-intestinal (urine, skin and other body secretions) routes, 2) Accounting for the various biomarkers related to metabolic functions of zinc, 3) Considering physiological requirements for zinc, such as those for growth, development, pregnancy, and lactation since zinc is essential for DNA and protein synthesis, and 4) Estimating the dietary absorption rate of zinc. Conclusion: The factorial analysis for zinc requirement is based on scientific evidence and is tailored to meet the requirements of different population groups, ensuring optimal health and preventing deficiency. It includes considerations of physiological needs, dietary absorption, and population-specific characteristics.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.132-140
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• 2010

High sodium intake is one of the risk factors for the development of hypertension. According to 2007 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, sodium intake of Korean was three times higher than adequate intake (1.5 g/day) recommended by Korean Dietary Reference Intakes. High sodium intake is related to high threshold and preference of salty taste. And zinc status is known to affect taste acuity. The hypothesis of this study is that zinc status is associated with salty taste acuity, preference, sodium intake and blood pressure. The subjects included in this study were 50 men and 41 women aged 20-29 y who did not smoke and not take supplements or medications regularly. Dietary intake data for 3 days were collected by 24-h recall for 1 day and dietary record for 2-days. Salty taste acuity and preference were determined by sensory test. Fasting serum concentration of zinc, height, weight, body composition and blood pressure data were collected. Salt taste preference in high zinc intake group ($\geq$ estimated average requirement, EAR; men-8.1 mg/day, women-7 mg/day) was higher than that in low zinc intake group (< EAR). Salty taste preference was inversely correlated with serum zinc concentration in people with low concentration of serum zinc (${\leqq}\;81\;{\mu}g/dL$)(r = -0.3520, p < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure was higher in high sodium intake group than in low sodium intake group (p < 0.05), positively correlated with salty taste preference (r = 0.3866, p < 0.05) in subjects with daily zinc intake below the EAR. We conclude that low zinc status may be related to high salty taste preference and high blood pressure in Korean young adults.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.950-959
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• 2003

To assess zinc status by dietary intake and urinary excretion of preschool children in Busan and to evaluate the relationship of intakes of food and nutrient with urinary zinc excretion, zinc food frequencies of 40 common foods affecting intakes of zinc by food fequency method, nutrient intake by 24hr recall and 24hr urinary zinc excretion were measured with 97 preschool children. The mean zinc intake was 4.29 mg and 43.0% of RDA. The mean zinc intake per 1,000 kcal was 3.09 mg.97.9％ of subjects had zinc intake less than 75％ of RDA. Grains food group was the primary source of zinc intake and supplied 38.9% of the total daily zinc intake. Altogether, plant food products supplied 49.7% of zinc intake. The mean urinary zinc excretion and zinc excretion per gram of creatinine were 0.19 mg and 1.00 mg respectively. The urinary zinc excretion showed positive significant correlations with height and weight (p < 0.05, p < 0.05) , urine volume and urinary creatinine excretion (p < 0.05, p < 0.001) , urinary zinc excretion per creatinine (p < 0.001) , urinary zinc excretion per weight (p < 0.001) , intakes of energy and carbohydrate (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) and usual intake of zinc from eggs food group (p < 0.05) . In conclusion, these results show that the zinc intake of preschool children is low and that sources of dietary zinc are mainly plant foods, suggesting low bioavailability. So nutritional education is needed in order to inc-rease usual intake of animal food group. Interpretation of urinary zinc excretion data is complicated by current uncertainty about "normal" zinc level at this age group. Further studies are needed to obtain extensive data on urinary zinc excretion for this age group.age group.