Selenium, zinc and magnesium: serum levels in members of the Czech Republic rescue fire brigade

The Czech Republic ranks among the countries with the highest prevalence of dyslipoproteinemia and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). As a valid tool in their primary prevention, the authors consider monitoring of selected components (including metal ions and vitamins) of the body′s antioxidant system. The study was focused on monitoring the health condition of members of the Czech Republic Rescue Fire Brigade. The concept of the study made it possible to reveal relationships between the serum magnesium, zinc, selenium levels and the age or biochemical and anthropometrical parameters generally used as risk indices of cardiovascular disease. The results contribute to the information about normal values of serum magnesium, zinc and selenium concentrations in the Czech population. The mean serum concentration of magnesium was 0.82 ± 0.06 mmol/l, that of zinc was 18.25 ± 2.54 µmol/l, and the mean selenium serum concentration was 0.80 ± 0.14 µmol/l.