Effect of zinc supplements on the intestinal absorption of calcium

Journal Article · Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Am. Coll. Nutr.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.1987.10720165· OSTI ID:6271845

Spencer, H; Rubio, N; Kramer, L; Norris, C; Osis, D

Pharmacologic doses of zinc are widely used as zinc supplements. As calcium and zinc may compete for common absorption sites, a study was carried out on the effect of a pharmacologic dose of zinc on the intestinal absorption of calcium in adult males. The analyzed dietary zinc intake in the control studies was normal, averaging 14.6 mg/day. During the high zinc study, 140 mg zinc as the sulfate was added daily for time periods ranging from 17 to 71 days. The studies were carried out during both a low calcium intake averaging 230 mg/day and during a normal calcium intake of 800 mg/day. Calcium absorption studies were carried out during the normal and high zinc intake by using an oral tracer dose of Ca-47 and determining plasma levels and urinary and fecal excretions of Ca-47. The study has shown that, during zinc supplementation, the intestinal absorption of calcium was significantly lower during a low calcium intake than in the control study, 39.3% vs 61% respectively, p less than 0.001. However, during a normal calcium intake of 800 mg/day, the high zinc intake had no significant effect on the intestinal absorption of calcium. These studies have shown that the high zinc intake decreased the intestinal absorption of calcium during a low calcium intake but not during a normal calcium intake.

• Research Organization: Veterans Administration Hospital, Hines, IL
• OSTI ID: 6271845
• Journal Information: J. Am. Coll. Nutr.; (United States), Vol. 1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
CALCIUM
INTESTINAL ABSORPTION
ZINC
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CALCIUM 47
FECES
MAN
SULFATES
TRACER TECHNIQUES
URINE
ABSORPTION
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ANIMALS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL WASTES
BODY FLUIDS
CALCIUM ISOTOPES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
ELEMENTS
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
METALS
NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PRIMATES
RADIOISOTOPES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
550501 - Metabolism- Tracer Techniques