Saliva zinc levels: Potential indicators of zinc status
1979
The possibility of using saliva to identify zinc deficiency was explored in a study of 67 adolescent girls who were involved in a metabolic study or nutrition survey. Whole saliva and supernatant samples were analyzed for zinc and protein concentrations and zinc-protein ratios. It was found that the zinc levels in supernatant samples responded to slight dietary changes. The zinc-protein ratios correlated in both types of samples; zinc levels in both samples did not correspond to serum or hair zinc levels. While this method of evaluating zinc nutritional status may prove useful, additional studies are needed to control the variables, such as the relationship of dietary protein to saliva levels and rate of saliva flow.
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