Possible Inter-Relationship Between Zinc and Dietary Fibre in a Group of Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Adolescents

Abstract

Zinc status was compared in a group of adolescent lacto-ovo vegetarians and a control group eating a normal diet. Zinc levels in head hair, estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, were related to non-dietary and dietary variables. Some negative correlation was demonstrated with intake of dietary fibre. It was concluded th at the higher fibre intake in the vegetarians might account for their lower mean hair zinc.