Dietary Molar Ratios of Phytate : Zn and Phytate $\times$ Ca : Zn for Zn Nutrition Assessment in Koreans

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.