Iron and Zinc Serum Levels in Young Adult Cameroonians after Supplementation in Poor Vitamin A and Controlled Diets

Abstract

Iron, zinc and vitamin A deficiencies co-exist in Cameroon in all age groups. However, natural sources of vitamin A are available and could be used to meet the need of the whole population in association with iron and zinc supplementation. This study aims at assessing the serum levels of zinc and iron after 11 days of supplementation. The study enrolled 26 men (18-33 years), distributed into five groups. From the first day, they were supplemented with 20 mg of zinc and iron, taken each alone, both either together or at two different times. The five last days, participants were put on free vitamin A diets. Serums were obtained at day 1, day 5 and day 11 for Zn and Fe levels determination by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The highest serum iron and zinc concentrations were observed in groups either supplemented with zinc or with iron given alone. In those two groups, serum Zn concentrations increased from 0.69 μg/mL ± 0.02 μg/mL to 0.95 μg/mL ± 0.13 μg/mL (group 2), from 0.48 μg/mL ± 0.06 μg/mL to 0.97 μg/mL ± 0.11 μg/mL (group 3); and serum Fe concentrations from 1.49 μg/mL ± 0.54 μg/mL to 3.49 μg/mL ± 1.01 μg/mL (group 2); and from 1.42 μg/mL ± 0.45 μg/mL to 3.41 μg/mL ± 0.81 μg/mL (group 3), respectively. Supplementation with Fe or Zn alone increased both Fe and Zn serum levels of participants. Serum levels of iron and zinc when given together or at different time were not significantly different. Further studies on a larger population are necessary to confirm that supplementation with zinc or with iron alone could raise both zinc and iron levels in serum simultaneously.