Dietary Zinc, Copper, and Selenium Intake and High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection among American Women: Data from NHANES 2011–2016

Studies have shown that the micronutrients, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) are associated with the HPV-associated cervical cancer, yet between dietary Zn/Cu/Se intake and high-risk HPV (hrHPV) infection remain unclear. We obtained publicly available data in the present cross-sectional study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) performed between 2011 and 2016. Dietary Zn, Cu, and Se intakes were assessed from two 24-h diet recalls. A total of 4628 female with the age of 18–59 years were included in this secondary analysis. Comparing the highest with the lowest quartiles of Zn intake, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for hrHPV infection was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.54–0.98). The aOR upon comparison of the quartile three with the lowest quartile of Cu intake was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.50–0.90). Whereas no significant association was found between intakes of Se and hrHPV infection in multivariate analysis. Moreover, compared with those below the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), hrHPV infection risk was significantly decreased among women who met the RDA for Cu (aOR: 0.74; 95% CI = 0.60–0.92), but not for Zn and Se. In conclusion, high dietary Zn and moderate copper intakes were independently and negatively associated with hrHPV infection in addition to Se.