Biochemical Values in Healthy Nigerian Soldiers

Abstract

Twelve biochemical values have been measured in 242 Nigerian soldiers. The results confirm earlier observations of low serum levels of sodium, chloride and cholesterol in Nigerians, and suggest that adult male Nigerians have low serum magnesium levels. The implications of some of these findings arc discussed and it is suggested that further work should be carried out to define 'normal* levels of the serum electrolytes and other blood constituents of clinical importance in the Nigerian population and elucidate the physiological background to our observations.