Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

How Trace Element Levels of Public Drinking Water Affect Body Composition in Turkey

  • Published:
Biological Trace Element Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

An Erratum to this article was published on 21 April 2017

Abstract

Since waterborne minerals appear in ionic form and are readily absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, drinking water could be a crucial source of mineral intake. However, no comprehensive research has yet determined how trace elements in drinking water relate to body composition. We aimed to assess the relationship between clinically important trace elements in public drinking water and body composition in average, overweight and obese individuals in Turkey. The study’s population consisted of 423 participants: 143 overweight, 138 obese and 142 healthy control individuals, grouped according to clinical cutoff points of body mass index (BMI). We measured levels of lithium (Li), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), silicon (Si), tin (Sn), strontium (Sr), boron (B), aluminium (Al), barium (Ba) and rubidium (Rb) in samples from wells of municipal water by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We gauged all the participants’ body composition measurements with a BC-418 body composition analyser. In all the participants, body weight values showed significant positive correlations with Ni levels in drinking water, as did BMI values with Al levels and percentage of obesity with Ni, Si and B levels. In particular, Ni levels showed significant positive correlations with the basal metabolic rate, activity calories, and total activity of participants. Giving findings showing correlations between obesity-related parameters and Al, Si, B and Ni content in drinking water, we hope that these associations will be clarified with further studies including cellular, experimental and clinical studies. Hence, medical practitioners must be aware of trace element levels in drinking water for overweight and obese patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Smith KB, Smith MS (2016) Obesity statistics. Prim Care 43(1):121–135

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Lau DC, Douketis JD, Morrison KM, et al. (2007) 2006 Canadian clinical practice guidelines on the management and prevention of obesity in adults and children summary. CMAJ 176(8):1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Fraga G (2005) Relevance, essentiality and toxicity of trace elements in human health. Mol Asp Med 26(4–5):235–244

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. García OP, Long KZ, Rosado JL (2009) Impact of micronutrient deficiencies on obesity. Nutr Rev 67(10):559–572

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. García OP, Ronquillo D, del Carmen CM, et al. (2013) Zinc, iron and vitamins A, C and E are associated with obesity, inflammation, lipid profile and insulin resistance in Mexican school-aged children. Nutrients 5(12):5012–5030

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Mailloux RJ, Lemire J, Appanna V (2007) Aluminum-induced mitochondrialdysfunction leads to lipid accumulation in human hepatocytes: a link to obesity. Cell Physiol Biochem 20(5):627–638

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Błoniarz J, Zareba S (2007) Selected micro elements (Cr, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Ni) in slimming preparations. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig 58(1):165–170

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Suliburska J, Bogdanski P, Pupek-Musialik D, et al. (2011) Dietary intake and serum and hair concentrations of minerals and their relationship with serum lipids and glucose levels in hypertensive and obese patients with insulin resistance. Biol Trace Elem Res 139(2):137–150

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Suliburska J, Cofta S, Gajewska E, et al. (2013) The evaluation of selected serum mineral concentrations and their association with insulin resistance in obese adolescents. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 17(17):2396–2400

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Olusi S, Al-Awadhi A, Abiaka C, et al. (2003) Serum copper levels and not zinc are positively associated with serum leptin concentrations in the healthy adult population. Biol Trace Elem Res 91(2):137–144

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Guo CH, Chen PC, Ko WS (2013) Status of essential trace minerals and oxidative stress in viral hepatitis C patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Int J Med Sci 10(6):730–737

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Campbell JD (2001) Lifestyle, minerals and health. Med Hypotheses 57(5):521–531

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Chung JH, Yum KS (2012) Correlation of hair mineral concentrations with insulin resistance in Korean males. Biol Trace Elem Res 150(1–3):26–30

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Stookey JJ (2016) Negative, null and beneficial effects of drinking water on energy intake, energy expenditure, fat oxidation and weight change in randomized trials: a qualitative review. Nutrients 8(1):19

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Azoulay A, Garzon P, Eisenberg MJ (2001) Comparison of the mineral content of tap water and bottled waters. J Gen Intern Med 16(3):168–175

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Heany RP, Dowell MS (1994) Absorbality of the calcium in a high-calcium mineral water. Osteoporos Int 4(6):323–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Livingstone C, Hagen R (2006) Lithium: a review of its metabolic adverse effects. J Psychopharmacol 20(3):347–355

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Baptista T, Teneud L, Contreras Q, et al. (1995) Lithium and body weight gain. Pharmacopsychiatry 28(2):35–44

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Nielsen GD, Soderberg U, Jorgensen PJ, et al. (1999) Absorption and retention of nickel from drinking water in relation to food intake and nickel sensitivity. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 154(1):67–75

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Sengupta P (2013) Potential health impacts of hard water. Int J Prev Med 4(8):866–875

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Edition F (2011) Guidelines for drinking-water quality. WHO Chron 38(3):104–108

    Google Scholar 

  22. Völgyi E, Tylavsky FA, Lyytikäinen A, et al. (2008) Assessing body composition with DXA and bioimpedance: effects of obesity, physical activity, and age. Obesity 16(3):700–705

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Ryo M, Maeda K, Onda T, et al. (2005) A new simple method for the measurement of visceral fat accumulation by bioelectrical impedance. Diabetes Care 28(2):451–453

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Lee SY, Gallagher D (2008) Assessment methods in human body composition. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 11(5):566–572

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  25. APHA, AWWA, WEF (2012) Standard methods for examination of water and wastewater, 22nd edn. American Public Health Association, Washington, p. 1360

    Google Scholar 

  26. ACME (2005) Methods and specifications for analytical package, Group 2C & 2D-Water Analysis by ICP-MS [www.acmelab.com]

  27. Lusi EA, Di Ciommo VM, Patrissi T, et al. (2015) High prevalence of nickel allergy in an overweight female population: a pilot observational analysis. PLoS One 10:e0123265

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Dyring-Andersen B, Skov L, Løvendorf MB, et al. (2013) CD4(+) T cells producing interleukin (IL)-17, IL-22 and interferon-γ are major effector T cells in nickel allergy. Contact Dermatitis 68(6):339–347

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Cameron KS, Buchner V, Tchounwou PB (2011) Exploring the molecular mechanisms of nickel-induced genotoxicity and carcinogenicity: a literature review. Rev Environ Health 26(2):81–92

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Barceloux DG (1999) Nickel. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 37(2):239–258

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Nielsen FH (1991) Nutritional requirements for boron, silicon, vanadium, nickel, and arsenic: current knowledge and speculation. FASEB J 5(12):2661–2667

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Jugdaohsingh R (2007) Silicon and bone health. J Nutr Health Aging 11(2):99–110

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  33. Exley C (1998) Silicon in life: a bioinorganic solution to bioorganic essentiality. J Inorg Biochem 69(2):139–144

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Turkez H, Geyikoglu F, Tatar A, et al. (2012) The effects of some boron compounds against heavy metal toxicity in human blood. Exp Toxicol Pathol 64(1–2):93–101

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Aysan E, Sahin F, Telci D, et al. (2011) Body weight reducing effect of oral boric acid intake. Int J Med Sci 8(8):653–658

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Kucukkurt I, Akbel E, Karabag F, et al. (2015) The effects of dietary boron compounds in supplemented diet on hormonal activity and some biochemical parameters in rats. Toxicol Ind Health 31(3):255–260

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Hasbahceci M, Cipe G, Kadioglu H, et al. (2013) Reverse relationship between blood boron level and body mass index in humans: does it matter for obesity? Biol Trace Elem Res 153(1–3):141–144

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Mailloux RJ, Appanna VD (2007) Aluminum toxicity triggers the nuclear translocation of HIF-1alpha and promotes anaerobiosis in hepatocytes. Toxicol in Vitro 21(1):16–24

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Mailloux RJ, Hamel R, Appanna VD (2006) Aluminum toxicity elicits a dysfunctional TCA cycle and succinate accumulation in hepatocytes. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 20(4):198–208

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Mailloux R, Lemire J, Appanna V (2007) Aluminum-induced mitochondrial dysfunction leads to lipid accumulation in human hepatocytes: a link to obesity. Cell Physiol Biochem 20(5):627–638

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. TS-266 (2005) Turkish regulation concerning water intended for human consumption. Institute of Turkish Standard, Ankara, Turkey

    Google Scholar 

  42. USEPA (2011) Final edition of the drinking water standards and health. Advisories EPA 820-R-11-002, Office of Water U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  43. WHO (2011) Guidelines for drinking-water-quality, 4th edn. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  44. USEPA (2009) Final edition of the drinking water standards and health. Advisories EPA 820-R-11-002, Office of Water U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  45. Moschonis G, Chrousos GP, Lionis C, Healthy Growth Study Group, et al. (2012) Association of total body and visceral fat mass with iron deficiency in preadolescents: the Healthy Growth Study. Br J Nutr 108(4):710–719

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Tascilar ME, Ozgen IT, Abaci A, et al. (2011) Trace elements in obese Turkish children. Biol Trace Elem Res 143(1):188–195

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Azab SF, Saleh SH, Elsaeed WF, et al. (2014) Serum trace elements in obese Egyptian children: a case-control study. Ital J Pediatr 40:20

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health School, Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Batman University, Batman, Turkey

    Ihsan Cetin

  2. Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Geological Engineering Department, Batman University, Batman, Turkey

    Mahmut Tahir Nalbantcilar

  3. Diet Outpatient Clinic, Batman State Hospital, Batman, Turkey

    Kezban Tosun & Aydan Nazik

Authors
  1. Ihsan Cetin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mahmut Tahir Nalbantcilar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kezban Tosun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Aydan Nazik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ihsan Cetin.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all the individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12011-017-1026-y.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cetin, I., Nalbantcilar, M.T., Tosun, K. et al. How Trace Element Levels of Public Drinking Water Affect Body Composition in Turkey. Biol Trace Elem Res 175, 263–270 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-016-0779-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-016-0779-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation