Dietary patterns, plasma and hair trace element in Ukrainian cohort of adults during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

Adequate mineral intake is important for optimal immune protection against viral infections. However, there is insufficient data on the mineral status of the Ukrainian adult population during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included people aged 35-80 years with a history of COVID-19 (study group, n=35) and those without (control group, n=26). Dietary intake was assessed using 7-day weighted food records. Trace element analysis of plasma and hair was performed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (Elvatech, Ukraine). Low levels of zinc, copper, and, to a lesser extent, iron and selenium were found in the participants' plasma and hair samples. Low hair zinc levels were found in 75.8 % of participants in the study group and 95.8% in the control group (p=0.065). Hair zinc was positively associated with plasma levels (β 0.09, CI 0.03 to 0.15, p=0.007). Participants with a COVID-19 history had higher hair zinc levels than the control group, but still below normal. The difference between groups may be explained by the higher proportion of zinc supplementation (62.9% vs 16.0%, p=0.0005). The low supply of trace elements was independent of estimated dietary intake and history of COVID-19. With increasing age of the participants, the selenium content in their hair decreased (β -0.02, CI -0.03 to -0.01, p=0.001). Current findings show the need to improve the nutrition of Ukrainians, as well as to monitor the supply of minerals for the development of optimal nutritional interventions. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Keywords: trace elements; zinc; selenium; dietary intake; age; COVID-19