Relationship between soil zinc, dietary zinc and zinc nutritional status of humans.

The effect of consumption of the staple food grown in soil zinc deficient area on zinc nutritional status of human beings was investigated. One village each from an area which has been classified under >75%, 25-50% and 50-75% soil zinc deficiency was selected for the study from Andhra Pradesh. Thirty families from each village were selected and the zinc content of soil, rice (grown in that soil) and serum (of people consuming the same rice) of the selected subjects was estimated. Food and nutrient intake of the respondents were calculated by using diet survey. Heights and weights of children of selected families were taken to assess the relationship between soil zinc levels and growth. Results show that the soil zinc deficiency has an impact on the zinc levels of rice grown in the same soil. However, serum zinc levels of adults and growth of children seem to be influenced by protein content and source of protein in the diet in addition to zinc levels of the diet.