• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 1999

Zinc nutriture in South Koreans was evaluated by estimating Zn, Ca, and phytate intake, and the molar ratios of phytate : Zn and the millimolar ratios of phytate $\times$ Ca Zn. food consumption data from the 95 National Nutrition Survey was used. For the present study, data from the nationwide, large city and urban area level were used. No standard deviation measures were provided in the 95 National Nutrition Survey : only mean values were reported. Nationwide daily intake of Zn and Ca were 10.1 mg/day and 426.5 mg/day, respectively. The estimated daily phytate intake was 1676.6 mg/day nationwide. The molar ratio of phvtate : Zn, the millimolar ratio of phytate $\times$ Ca : Zn and the phytate $\times$ Ca Zn mmol per 4.2 MJ (1000 kcal) were 15.9, 168.9 and 91.8 in nationwide, respectively. The major food groups for zinc intake were meat, poultry products (43%), and cereals and grain products (18%). Sixty two percent of Zinc was from animal food sources. Cereal and grain products supplied most of the phytate intake (46%), followed by seasonings, fruits, and legume products. The major food source of phytate was rice (39%) . The results of the present study suggest that Zn status of Koreans maybe influenced by high dietary intake of phytate and high molar ratios of phytate : Zn and phytate $\times$ Ca : Zn. These results raise concerns about Zn status of Koreans, who consume a diet higher in phytate than Western diets. further research is necessary to confirm whether such poorly available dietary Zn has any impact on the health of Koreans.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.356-362
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• 2007

For the assessment of representative and longitudinal Zn nutriture in South Koreans, Zn, phytate and Ca intakes were determined using four consecutive years of food consumption data taken from Korean National Nutrition Survey Report (KNNSR) every 10 years during 1969-1998. The nutrient intake data are presented for large city and rural areas. Zn intake of South Koreans in both large city and rural areas was low during 1969-1988 having values between 4.5-5.6 mg/d, after then increased to 7.4 (91% Estimated Average Requirements for Koreans, EAR = 8.1 mg/d) and 6.7 mg/d (74% EAR) in 1998 in large city and rural areas, respectively. In 1968, Zn intake was unexpectedly higher in rural areas due to higher grain consumption, but since then until 1988 Zn intake was decreased and increased back in 1998. Food sources for Zn have shifted from plants to a variety of animal products. Phytate intake of South Koreans during 1969-1978 was high mainly due to the consumption of grains and soy products which are major phytate sources, but decreased in 1998. The molar ratios of phytate:Zn and millimmolar ratio of phytate${\times}$Ca:Zn were decreased due to the decreased phytate intake in South Koreans, which implies higher zinc bioavailability. The study results suggest that Zn nutriture has improved by increased dietary Zn intakes and the decreased molar ratio of phytate:Zn in South Koreans in both large city and rural areas.