The association of essential dietary trace elements and their mixture with cognition: a prospective study

BackgroundThe association of dietary essential trace elements (ETEs) and their mixture with cognition remains unclear.MethodsProspective cohort data on the association between dietary ETEs [e.g., iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and iodine (I)] and general cognition...

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Main Authors: Huihui Li, Zhongmin Yin, Fusheng Cui, Weijing Wang, Dongfeng Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1461852/full
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author Huihui Li
Zhongmin Yin
Fusheng Cui
Weijing Wang
Dongfeng Zhang
author_facet Huihui Li
Zhongmin Yin
Fusheng Cui
Weijing Wang
Dongfeng Zhang
author_sort Huihui Li
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundThe association of dietary essential trace elements (ETEs) and their mixture with cognition remains unclear.MethodsProspective cohort data on the association between dietary ETEs [e.g., iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and iodine (I)] and general cognition were obtained from the UK Biobank (UKB) database. Linear regression and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to examine the association between individual dietary ETEs and general cognition, including the identification of the inflection points. The Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was applied to analyze the association between a mixture of six ETEs and general cognition, as well as potential interactions among ETEs. Stratified analysis and sensitivity analysis were also conducted.ResultsSignificant non-linear association between individual dietary ETEs and general cognition was observed, with the inflection points for the various elements being as follows: Fe: 15 mg/day, Zn: 10 mg/day, Cu: 1.5 mg/day, I: 250 μg/day, Mn: 5 mg/day, and Se: 45 μg/day. The BKMR analysis showed an inverted “U”-shaped association between dietary ETE mixture and general cognition, with Fe and Zn playing major roles. Dietary Mn was the major contributor in males, while Zn was predominant in females. In the hypertensive population, dietary Zn and Mn play major roles.ConclusionThere are non-linear associations between dietary Fe, Zn, Cu, I, Mn, Se—as well as their mixture—and general cognition. Among these, Fe and Zn play major roles within this mixture. In addition, there are sex differences in the main contributing ETE, with Mn in males and Zn in females.
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spelling doaj-art-f00153e0308e481da2f3f8a7f73f5dc12025-08-20T03:16:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-07-011210.3389/fnut.2025.14618521461852The association of essential dietary trace elements and their mixture with cognition: a prospective studyHuihui Li0Zhongmin Yin1Fusheng Cui2Weijing Wang3Dongfeng Zhang4Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaDepartment of Outpatient and Emergency, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaDepartment of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Public Health College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaBackgroundThe association of dietary essential trace elements (ETEs) and their mixture with cognition remains unclear.MethodsProspective cohort data on the association between dietary ETEs [e.g., iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and iodine (I)] and general cognition were obtained from the UK Biobank (UKB) database. Linear regression and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to examine the association between individual dietary ETEs and general cognition, including the identification of the inflection points. The Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was applied to analyze the association between a mixture of six ETEs and general cognition, as well as potential interactions among ETEs. Stratified analysis and sensitivity analysis were also conducted.ResultsSignificant non-linear association between individual dietary ETEs and general cognition was observed, with the inflection points for the various elements being as follows: Fe: 15 mg/day, Zn: 10 mg/day, Cu: 1.5 mg/day, I: 250 μg/day, Mn: 5 mg/day, and Se: 45 μg/day. The BKMR analysis showed an inverted “U”-shaped association between dietary ETE mixture and general cognition, with Fe and Zn playing major roles. Dietary Mn was the major contributor in males, while Zn was predominant in females. In the hypertensive population, dietary Zn and Mn play major roles.ConclusionThere are non-linear associations between dietary Fe, Zn, Cu, I, Mn, Se—as well as their mixture—and general cognition. Among these, Fe and Zn play major roles within this mixture. In addition, there are sex differences in the main contributing ETE, with Mn in males and Zn in females.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1461852/fullBKMRcognitionessential trace elementold adultsUK Biobank
spellingShingle Huihui Li
Zhongmin Yin
Fusheng Cui
Weijing Wang
Dongfeng Zhang
The association of essential dietary trace elements and their mixture with cognition: a prospective study
Frontiers in Nutrition
BKMR
cognition
essential trace element
old adults
UK Biobank
title The association of essential dietary trace elements and their mixture with cognition: a prospective study
title_full The association of essential dietary trace elements and their mixture with cognition: a prospective study
title_fullStr The association of essential dietary trace elements and their mixture with cognition: a prospective study
title_full_unstemmed The association of essential dietary trace elements and their mixture with cognition: a prospective study
title_short The association of essential dietary trace elements and their mixture with cognition: a prospective study
title_sort association of essential dietary trace elements and their mixture with cognition a prospective study
topic BKMR
cognition
essential trace element
old adults
UK Biobank
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1461852/full
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