Background:
There is mounting evidence that estimates of
intakes of a range of dietary nutrients
are related to both lung function level and rate
of decline, but far less
evidence on the relation
between lung function and objective
measures of serum levels of individual nutrients. The aim of
this study was to conduct a comprehensive examin
ation of the independent
associations of a wide
range of serum markers of nutritional status with
lung function, measured as the one-second forced
expiratory volume (FEV
1
).
Methods:
Using data from the Third National Heal
th and Nutrition Examination Survey, a US
population-based cross-sectional st
udy, we investigated the relation between 21 serum markers of
potentially relevant nutrients and FEV
1
, with adjustment for potential confounding factors.
Systematic approaches were used to guide the analysis.
Results:
In a mutually adjusted model, higher serum leve
ls of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, beta-
cryptoxanthin, vitamin C, vita
min E), selenium, normalized calcium, chloride, and iron were
independently associated wi
th higher levels of FEV
1
. Higher concentrations of potassium and
sodium were associated with lower FEV
1
.
Conclusion:
Maintaining higher serum concentrations of
dietary antioxidant vitamins and selenium
is potentially beneficial to lung
health. In addition other novel asso
ciations found in this study merit
further investigation.