The purpose of the study was to assess the actual dietary intakes of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) intakes in relation with some indicators of trace element status in a selected group of hospitalized elderly patients.

24 elderly women aged 76-99 years were recruited in the Geriatric Department of the Grenoble University Hospital.

Zn, Cu, and Se dietary intakes were estimated by duplicate portion analysis. Plasma trace element concentrations, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) and Se glutathione peroxidase (Se GSH-Px) activities were determined in parallel.

Mean daily intakes of Zn (5.6 mg), Cu (0.67 mg), and Se (23 micrograms) were low, in relation with poor energy intake and nutrient densities. Zn and Se levels in plasma were lower and plasma Cu increased compared to reference values obtained from healthy younger subjects. Thirty-eight percent of the elderly patients had plasma Zn concentrations < 10.7 mumol/l, but Cu status appeared adequate as suggested by the lack of decline in Cu-Zn SOD activity. A high proportion of plasma Se concentrations < 0.76 mumol/l and the parallel decrease in erythrocyte and plasma GSH-Px activities suggest a Se deficiency in this population.

Our findings indicate that French hospitalized elderly patients may be at risk of Zn and Se marginal status and present altered antioxidant defenses in relation with low dietary intakes. It underlines the interest of supplementation studies in this population.