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Virginia Tech

Relationship between zinc and copper nutritional status and risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

A study was conducted to assess the relationship between the zinc/copper ratio and risk factors (hypertension, obesity, elevated serum cholesterol and triglycerides, cigarette smoking, and exercise activity level) associated with susceptibility to cardiovascular disease. A questionnaire technique for assessment of physical activity was presented. The zinc/copper ratio was determined from the zinc and copper concentrations of hair samples obtained from sixty-four male subjects, ranging in age from 19 to 59 years. Correlation coefficients revealed no discernible relationship between either the zinc and copper content of hair, or the zinc/copper ratio obtained from these values. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride values, zinc concentrations in hair and the zinc/copper ratio were tested for significant differences associated with age. Statistical analysis indicated that these parameters were not significantly different. Such results were attributed to the wide range of variation within groups for this sample population. Data was not supportive of Klevay's altered zinc/copper ratio hypothesis as the major factor in the etiology of cardiovascular disease.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D.
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Human Nutrition and Foods
Department dc:contributor.department
Human Nutrition and Foods
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1978

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Geders, Jane M.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Ritchey, Sanford J.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Baertl, J. M.
  • Bowen, Phyllis E.
  • Herbert, William G.
  • Driskell, Judy A.

Subjects

dc:subject × 1

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-07082010-020340
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/38731

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Geders, Jane M.. Relationship between zinc and copper nutritional status and risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 1978. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/38731