Lluís Serra Majem

Serum copper and zinc concentrations in a representative sample of the Canarian population

Serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations of 395 individuals (187 males + 208 females) living in Canary Islands were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean copper and zinc concentrations were 1.10 ± 0.25 mg/L and 1.16 ± 0.52 mg/L respectively. Our data were similar to other data published in other Spanish regions. Individuals from Lanzarote presented a mean Cu and Zn concentrations higher (p 0.05) among the different age intervals. No clear trends in the serum Cu and Zn concentrations were observed when drinking and smoking habits were considered. The increase of physical exercise reduced (p < 0.05) the serum Cu concentrations.

Serum selenium concentration in a representative sample of the Canarian population

The concentration of serum selenium in 395 individuals (187 males + 218 females) living in the Canary Islands, Spain was determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean selenium concentration was 74.7 +/- 25.2 microg/l ranging between 7.86 and 182.3 microg/l. Twenty-two adults (7.2% of the total) had serum selenium concentrations under 45 microg/l. It is widely accepted that below this selenium serum concentration (45 microg/l) there is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Our results fall within data recently published in other Spanish and European regions and are much lower than data observed in USA or seleniferous regions. The estimated Se intakes of our population were lower than the Recommended Dietary Allowances for American people. Individuals from Lanzarote had a mean Se concentration significantly higher than individuals from the other islands. This could be attributed to differences in Se content of soil and/or differences in dietary habits of the populations. Serum selenium concentration did not vary with the sex of the subjects. Individuals younger than 14 years old had a serum selenium concentration significantly lower than the rest of the individuals. No relationship with socio-economic status, educational level, smoking habits, physical exercise or beer consumption was found. However, individuals who consume wine more than three times a week showed higher selenium concentrations than individuals with lower consumption. Also, individuals with consumption above seven units of spirit drinks a week had the highest mean selenium concentration.

The Women's Health Initiative. What is on trial : nutrition and chronic disease? Or misinterpreted science, media havoc and the sound of silence from peers?

The first results of the Womens Health Initiative dietary intervention trial were published in the USA in February. This is a colossal intervention designed to see if diets lower in fat and higher in fruits, vegetables and grains than is usual in high-income countries reduce the incidence of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases, in women aged 50-79 years. As interpreted by US government media releases, the results were unimpressive. As interpreted by a global media blitz, the results indicate that food and nutrition has little or nothing to do with health and disease. But the trial was in key respects not reaching its aims, was methodologically controversial, and in any case has not produced the reported null results. What should the public health nutrition profession do about such messes?