Copper, magnesium, zinc levels tied to mortality

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Copper, magnesium, zinc levels tied to mortality

Last Updated: 2006-05-12 10:11:30 -0400 (Reuters Health)

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - French researchers have identified links

between levels of three metals in the body and the risk of death from

cancer or heart disease.

Dr. Nathalie Leone of the Lille Pasteur Institute and colleagues

found men with high copper levels had an increased risk of dying over

an 18-year period, while high magnesium levels were associated with

reduced mortality risk. Low zinc levels seem to add to the effect of

the other two elements.

However, the researchers note, it remains unclear whether these

metals are actually responsible for these effects or simply markers

for cancer or heart disease.

Zinc, copper and magnesium play a number of key roles in the body,

for example in the immune response, inflammation and oxidative

stress, Leone and her colleagues write in the research journal

Epidemiology. To investigate the relationship between body levels of

these elements and mortality, the researchers followed 4,035 men aged

30 to 60 for 18 years. During follow-up, 339 men died, including 176

from cancer and 56 from heart disease.

Men with the highest copper levels at the study's outset had a 50

percent increased risk of death from any cause, and a 40 percent

greater risk of dying from cancer, compared to men with the lowest

levels.

On the other hand, those with the highest magnesium levels had a 40

percent to 50 percent reduced risk of death compared to those with

the lowest levels.

Low zinc levels along with high copper levels boosted mortality risk

further; men with this combination were 2.6 times more likely to die

during the follow-up period than those with low levels of both zinc

and copper. Low zinc values combined with low magnesium levels

contributed to an increased mortality risk.

High copper levels were tied to older age, smoking and high

cholesterol, Leone and her team note, while lower magnesium levels

were linked to older age, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Copper can contribute to the formation of damaging free radicals in

the body, the researchers note, while low magnesium may also

contribute to inflammation. Low zinc levels may impair immune

function, while zinc also shields the body from free radicals.

" In this way, decreased zinc and either increased copper or decreased

magnesium might synergistically enhance oxidative damage and the

inflammatory response, " Leone and her team write.

" Further studies are needed to confirm the interactions between serum

zinc and serum copper or serum magnesium and their potential

contribution to the prediction of all-cause, cancer and

cardiovascular disease mortality in clinical practice, " they conclude.

SOURCE: Epidemiology, May 2006.

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