The objective of this study was to evaluate plasma zinc concentrations and associations with sociodemographic, biochemical, dietary and immunological indicators in institutionalized elderly. A cross - sectional study involving 255 elderly individuals enrolled in 13 Long - Term Institutions for the Elderly (ILPI) in the city of Natal / RN. The associations between zinc plasma concentrations, zinc in the diet, as well as sociodemographic indicators and biomarkers with a glycemic, lipid and inflammatory profile were evaluated. The independent variables were analyzed according to the quartiles of plasma zinc concentration (μg / dL) (Q1: <71.1, Q2: 71.1-83.3, Q3: <83.3-93.7; Q4:> 93.7). The correlation between plasma zinc concentration and predictor variables was also tested. In Q1, higher concentrations of the following variables were observed compared to the other quartiles: total cholesterol and LDL-c (Q1> Q2, Q3, Q4, all p <0.001); triacylglycerols (Q1> Q3, Q4, all p <0.001); IL-6 (Q1> Q3, Q4, p = 0.024, p = 0.010, respectively); and TNF-α (Q1> Q3, p = 0.003). There was a significant reduction in plasma zinc concentration as the time of institutionalization adjusted for age (Δ = -0.10, CI95%: -0.18, -0.01) and total cholesterol concentrations ( Δ = -0.19, CI95%: -0.23, -0.15), LDL-c (Δ = -0.19, CI95%: -0.23, -0.15), triacylglycerols (Δ = -0.11, 95% CI: -0.16, -0.06), IL-6 (Δ = -1.41, 95% CI: -2.64, -0.18) and TNF-α (Δ = -1.04, 95% CI: -1.71, - 0.36). Thus, data from the present study suggest that a decrease in plasma zinc concentration is associated with longer institutionalization time and changes in the lipid and inflammatory profile in institutionalized older adults. In a second study, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) was evaluated in 202 elderly people, according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program - Adult Treatment Panel III, as well as the associated factors. The prevalence of MS was 29.2% (95% CI: 23.0-36.0%). The occurrence of MS was higher in women, in the elderly with institutionalization time adjusted for age> 50%, and in the presence of high concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α (p <0.05). Thus, the results point to a moderate prevalence of MS, which was associated with demographic factors, institutional care and immunological changes.