Consumption of nutrients with antioxidant action and its relationship with lipid profile and oxidative stress in student users of a university restaurant.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between diet and health has aroused scientific interest, especially the consumption of antioxidant nutrients naturally present in foods, because of its action against the deleterious effects of free radicals in the body. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate the intake of antioxidant nutrients and its relationship with lipid profile and oxidative stress in student users of a university restaurant in comparison with non-users. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 145 university students divided into two groups: users of the university restaurant (group 1, n = 73) and non-users (group 2, n = 72). We measured body mass index and waist circumference, and estimated the intake of antioxidant micronutrients. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde were determined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Intake of copper, zinc, selenium, and vitamin C were within the recommendations in both groups, and vitamins A and E were below the reference values. There was a correlation between the intake of vitamin C and triglycerides. Group 1 members had better dietary patterns in relation to antioxidant micronutrients, reflecting less atherogenic lipid profile and lower exposure to oxidative stress compared to group 2.

Status do Zinco e sua Relação com Biomarcadores de Risco Cardiovascular / Zinc Status of and its Association to Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers

Fundamento: A ação antioxidante de alguns nutrientes é importante na proteção vascular. O zinco, em particular, tem sido associado a um risco reduzido de aterosclerose, acidente vascular cerebral e trombose.Objetivo: O estudo avaliou o status do zinco e sua relação com biomarcadores de risco cardiovascular em adultos saudáveis. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 186 estudantes universitários de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 20 e 30 anos, selecionados através de amostra por conveniência. As medições dos biomarcadores de risco cardiovascular incluíram o perfil lipídico, o índice de Castelli I e II e circunferência da cintura. O zinco dietético foi avaliado por registro alimentar de três dias utilizando o programa NutWin versão 1.6.0.7. As concentrações plasmáticas e de eritrócitos do mineral foram determinadas por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica com chama. O perfil lipídico foi determinado pelo método enzimático colorimétrico. Resultados: Os valores médios do consumo de zinco estavam superiores à NME (Necessidade Média Estimada) em ambos os sexos. Os participantes apresentaram concentrações médias de zinco no plasma e eritrócitos inferiores aos pontos de corte. Os valores médios do perfil lipídico, índice de Castelli I e II, e circunferência da cintura estavam adequados. Houve correlação negativa entre o zinco dietético e colesterol total e triglicérides. Conclusões: Os participantes têm uma ingestão elevada de zinco e apresentam concentrações plasmáticas e eritrocitárias reduzidas do mineral. Além disso, esse estudo revelou uma associação negativa entre a ingestão de zinco dietético e o colesterol total e triglicérides, biomarcadores do risco cardiovascular, sugerindo a importância do zinco na proteção contra doenças cardiovasculares

Background: The antioxidant action of some nutrients is important in vascular protection. Zinc, particularly, has been associated with reduced risk of atherosclerosis, stroke and thrombosis. Objective: The study evaluated zinc status and its association to cardiovascular risk biomarkers in healthy adults. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 186 university students of both genders, aged between 20 and 30 years, selected using the convenience sampling method. The cardiovascular risk biomarker measurements included the lipid profile, Castelli index I and II, and waist circumference. Zinc analysis was performed by a three-days food record using NutWin program version 1.6.0.7. Plasma and erythrocyte mineral concentrations were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The lipid profile was determined by enzymatic colorimetric methods. Results: The mean values of zinc intake were higher than the EAR in both genders. Participants had mean plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentrations lower than the cutoff points. The mean values of the lipid profile, Castelli index I and II, and waist circumference were adequate. There was a negative correlation between dietary zinc and total cholesterol and triglycerides. Conclusions: The participants have a high dietary zinc intake and reduced plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of this mineral. Additionally, this study showed a negative association between zinc dietary intake and total cholesterol and triglycerides, biomarkers of cardiovascular risk, suggesting the importance of zinc in protecting against cardiovascular disease