Relation of Mineral Nutrition Status and Climacteric Symptoms in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women

Kim, Soon Kyung; Sunwoo, Jae Gun; Lee, Eun Ju

Abstract

Minerals are extremely important in human metabolism, growth, and tissue repair. The risks of disturbances in mineral nutrition and metabolism are high following menopause. The aim of the study was to investigate the mineal nutrition status in middle-aged women (Pre and Postmenopausal) and the relation to climacteric symptoms. In the present study, we conducted the anthropometric measurement, climacteric symptoms survey and the dietary intakes including macronutrients, vitamins and minerals to assess the nutrient intakes. Also plasma mineral levels (Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Cu, Zn) was measured. The participants were 105 middle-aged women (pre = 51, Postmenopausal = 54) . The anthropometric measurement showed that 74% of subjects was overweight and obesity. The energy intakes were 83% of Korean EER. The macromineral intake (Ca, P, Mg, Na, K) , Ca, P and Mg were 65%, > 116% and > 107% of Korean RI. Na and K intakes were > 243% and 53% of Korean AI. For the trace mineral intake (Fe, Cu, Zn) , Fe, Cu and Zn intakes were 82%, > 146%, and 94% of Korean RI. The serum mineral concentration measurement, in case of Ca, Fe and Zn, > 10% of subjects showed lower level than normal clinical range. The most frequently appeared climacteric symptoms were dry eye, forgetfulness, difficult concentration, shoulder pain, fatique, depression and lonesomeness, backache, snore, dry skin, ankle and knee pain. In relation to mineral nutrition with climacteric symptoms, significant correlations have been founded between Ca intake and difficult concentration, Mg intake and snore, Fe and Zn intake and forgetfulness and dry skin, serum Ca concentration and forgetfulness, serum Na concentration and dry eyes and snore, serum K concentration and shoulder pain. From these results, it has been indicated that some mineral nutrition status may effect the prevention and reduction of climacteric symptoms in pre and postmenopause women.