Metabolic balance of zinc, copper, cadmium, iron, molybdenum and selenium in young New Zealand women

Abstract

1. Metabolic balance studies of zinc, copper, cadmium, iron, molybdenum and selenium were made on four young New Zealand women, using brilliant blue and chromic oxide as faecal markers. 2. Zn, Cu, Cd and Fe concentrations in foods, faeces and urine were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, whereas Mo was determined spectrophotometrically with dithiol and Se fluorimetrically with diaminonaphthalene. 3. The dietary intakes of Zn, Cu and Fe were similar to those reported in the USA and the UK, whereas those of Cd, Mo and Se were less. The subjects ate a diet consisting of foods normally consumed by New Zealand women. 4. For each subject there was little variation in the urinary output of each element for three 6 d periods. Day-to-day variation was small for each subject. The individual variation in urinary output of each element among the subjects was smaller when expressed as a ratio of intake, except for Mo. Retentions were small for Zn, Cu and Fe, all elements which are poorly absorbed. Balances of Se, Mo and possibly Cd were in equilibrium.