PENGARUH PEMBERIAN SUPLEMENTASI ZINK TERHADAP KADAR HEMOGLOBIN PADA LANSIA

Background: In elderly, physical decrement condition tends to one of the vulnerable conditions that occur is a decrease of hemoglobin levels. Zinc supplementation can increase the levels of hemoglobin. Zinc is a substance for compose the structure of enzyme ALA dehydrogenase, a metalloenzim in heme synthesis that converts two molecules ALA into porphobilinogen. Aim: To identify the effect of zinc supplementation on hemoglobin levels in the elderly. Methods: This study used an experimental design with pre and post test control group design conducted in April-May 2015 at Unit Social Rehabilitation Pucang Gading, Semarang. Samples were taken with simple random sampling including 15 elderly people were in the control group and 16 elderly were on zinc supplementation group that met inclusion and exclusion criteria. A number of three elderly control taken group dropped out during the two-month study. Zinc supplementation of 40 mg was once daily after the morning meal. Statistical course analysis techniques used was Shapiro Wilk test followed by paired T test. Result: Zinc group hemoglobin levels increased significantly p = 0.002 (p