A multivariate analysis of serum nutrient levels and lung function

Tricia M McKeever¹^,5 , Sarah A Lewis¹ , Henriette A Smit² , Peter Burney³ , Patricia A Cassano⁴ and John Britton¹

¹Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

²Centre of Prevention and Health Services Research, National Institute of Public Health, Bilthoven, The Netherlands

³Peter Burney, Respiratory Epidemiology & Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK

⁴Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA

⁵Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, Clinical Science Building, City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK

author email corresponding author email

Respiratory Research 2008, 9:67doi:10.1186/1465-9921-9-67


Published:	29 September 2008

Abstract

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 examination 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 (FEV₁).

Methods

Using data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a US population-based cross-sectional study, we investigated the relation between 21 serum markers of potentially relevant nutrients and FEV₁, with adjustment for potential confounding factors. Systematic approaches were used to guide the analysis.

Results

In a mutually adjusted model, higher serum levels of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, beta-cryptoxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E), selenium, normalized calcium, chloride, and iron were independently associated with higher levels of FEV₁. Higher concentrations of potassium and sodium were associated with lower FEV₁.

Conclusion

Maintaining higher serum concentrations of dietary antioxidant vitamins and selenium is potentially beneficial to lung health. In addition other novel associations found in this study merit further investigation.