Skip to main content

Blood levels of copper, iron, zinc, and lead in adults in India and Pakistan and the effect of oral zinc supplementation for six weeks

Biological Trace Element Research volume 61, pages 323–331 (1998)Cite this article

Abstract

Deficiency in the intake of trace elements, such as copper (Cu), iron (Fe), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn), is very common in the general population of most developing countries. A preliminary study in India and Pakistan showing the plasma levels of Zn and Fe indicates that approx 50% of the subjects who participated have low levels of both Fe and Zn, suggesting a marginal deficiency. The low plasma levels of these elements are more pronounced in females. The mean levels of Ze, Cu, and Fe in the plasma of 83 subjects were 0.71 ± 0.11, 0.96 ± 0.10, and 0.80 ± 0.12 mg/L, respectively. The Cu:Zn ratio in the plasma was 1.43 ± 0.16. Three groups of 15 subjects each were given three different levels of oral supplements of Zn (15, 30, and 45 mg of Zn as Zn gluconate) for 6 wk, and blood samples were analyzed during various intervals. Plasma concentration of Zn increased significantly (p < 0.001) in all the groups after 4 wk of supplementation and reached almost normal levels after 6 wk. Along with the increase in Zn, there was a significant decrease(p < 0.001) in plasma Cu levels. There were no changes in the concentration of Fe during the supplementation period. The supplementation was well tolerated by most subjects. The results of this pilot study indicate that Zn supplementation is a practical possibility comparable to that of Fe supplementation in order to prevent marginal Zn deficiency in vulnerable groups in the general population of developing countries.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. A. S. Prasad, J. A. Halstead, and M. Nadimi, Syndrome of iron deficiency anaemia, hepato-splenomegaly, hypogonadism, dwarfism and geophagia,Am. J. Med. 31, 532–546 (1961).

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. A. S. Prasad, Discovery of human zinc deficiency and studies in experimental human model,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53, 403–412 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  3. K. Schwartz and C.M. Foltz, Selenium as an integral part of factor 3 against dietary nectrotic liver degeneration,J. Am. Chem. Soc. 79, 3292, 3293 (1957).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. K. Schwartz and W. Mertz, Chromium+++ and glucose tolerance factor,Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 85, 292–295 (1959).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. E. J. Underwood, and W. Mertz,Trace Elements in Human and Animal Nutrition, vol. 1, W. Mertz, ed., Academic, San Diego, CA (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  6. J. H. Beattie, and A. Avenell, Trace element nutrition and bone metabolism,Nutr. Res. Rev. 5, 167–188 (1992).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. H. H. Sandstead, Zinc: Essentiality for brain development and function,Nutr. Rev. 43, 129–137 (1985).

    PubMed  CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  8. W. Mertz, Some aspects of nutritional trace element research,Fed. Proc. 29, 1483–1488 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  9. W. Mertz, The essential trace elements,Science 213, 1332–1338 (1989).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. O. A. Levander, A global view of human selenium nutrition,Ann. Rev. Nutr. 7, 227–250 (1987).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. M. Abdulla, Inorganic chemical elements in prepared meals in Sweden, Ph.D. thesis, University of Lund, Sweden (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  12. M. Abdulla, R. M. Parr, and G. V. Iyengar, Trace element requirements, intake and recommendations, inEssential and toxic Trace Elements in Health and Disease, A. S. Prasad, ed., Wiley-Liss, New York, pp. 311–328 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  13. M. Abdulla, B. Andersson, A. Evander, P. Lilja, I. Lindqvist, S. Svensson, and I. Ihse, Zinc and copper concentrations in serum, blood and liver in moderate pancreatic insufficiency,Digestion,18, 86–91 (1978).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. A. Mathur, K. Wallenius, and M. Abdulla, Relation between zinc content in blood and saliva in healthy human adults,Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. 37, 469–472 (1977).

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. M. Abdulla, Copper levels after oral zinc,Lancet, I, 616 (1979).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. M. Abdulla, A. Bjorklund, A. Mathur, and K. Wallenius, Zinc and copper levels in whole blood and plasma from patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck,J. Surg. Oncol. 12, 107–113 (1979).

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. M. Abdulla, Copper levels in Indian childhood cirrhosis,Lancet II, 246, (1979).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. U. Srinivas, J. H. Braconier, B. Jeppsspn, M. Abdulla, B. Akesson, and P. A. Ocker-man, Trace element alterations in infectious diseases,Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. 48, 495–500 (1988).

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. A. Schutz, R. Attewell, and S. Skerfving, Decreasing blood lead in Swedish children, 1978–1988, Arch. Environ. Health,44, 6, 391–394, (1989).

    PubMed  CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  20. M. Abdulla, and S. Svensson, Effect of oral zinc intake on delta-ALAD activity in red cells,Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest.,39, 31–36 (1979).

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. M. Abdulla, Public health/Clinical significance of of inorganic chemical elements, inNutritional Adequacy, Nutrient Availability and Needs, J. Mauron, ed., Birkhauser Verlag, Basel, pp. 338–355, (1983a).

    Google Scholar 

  22. W. Mertz, Trace element requirements and current recommendations, inCurrent Trends in Trace Element Research, M. Abdulla, G. Chazot, and P. Arnaud, eds., Smith-Gordon, London, pp. 1–6, (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  23. M. Abdulla, A. Behbehani, and H. Dashti, Dietary intake and bioavailability of trace elements,Biol. Trace Element Res. 21, 173–178 (1989).

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  24. R. M. Parr, M. Abdulla, N.K. Aras, A. R. Byrne, C. Camara-Rica, and S. Finnie, et al., Trace elements and related nutrients in eleven countries, inProceedings of the Seventh International Symposium on Trace Elements in Man and Animals, B. Momcilovic, ed., Dubrovnik, IMI Zagreb, pp. 13.3–13.5 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  25. R. M. Parr and Zeisler, R., Programs of the IAEA utilising nuclear analytical techniques in the life sciences,Biol. Trace Element Res. 43–45, 651–661 (1994).

    Google Scholar 

  26. R. M. Parr, H. Crawley, M. Abdulla, G. V. Iyengar, and J. Kumpulainen, Human dietary intake of trace elements: a global literature survey mainly for the period of 1970–1991: l.Data listing and sources of information, Report NAHRES-12, IAEA, Vienna, Austria (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  27. WHO report, Trace elements in human nutrition and health. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  28. M. Abdulla, How adequate is the plasma zinc as an indicator of zinc status? inZinc Deficiency in Human Subjects, A. S. Prasad, A. O. Cavdar, G. J. Brewer, and P. J. Aggett, eds., Alan. R. Liss, New York, pp. 171–178 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  29. M. Abdulla and M. Athar, Metal ion levels in acute infections, inHandbook of Metal-Ligand Interactions in Biological Fluids, G. Berthon, ed., Marcel Dekker, New York, pp. 1093–1096 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

  30. A. S. Prasad, Zinc deficiency in human subjects, inZinc Deficiency in Human Subjects, A. S. Prasad, A. O. Cavdar, G. J. Brewer, and P. J. Aggett, eds., Alan R. Liss, New York, pp. 1–33 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  31. A. O. Cavdar, A. Arcasoy, S. Cin, E. Babacan, and S. Gozdasoglu, inZinc Deficiency in Human Subjects, A. S. Prasad, A. O. Cavdar, G. J. Brewer, and P. J. Aggett, eds., Alan R. Liss, New York, pp. 71–97 (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  32. C. Xue-Cun, Y Tai-an, H. Jin-Sheng, M. Qiu-Yan, H. Zhi-Min, and L. Li-Xiang, Low levels of zinc in hair and blood, pica, anorexia and poor growth in Chinese preschool children,Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 42, 694–700.

  33. S. Jameson, Effects of zinc deficiency on human reproduction,Acta Med. Scand. (Suppl.) 593, 5–89 (1976).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. H. Sandstead, J. G. Penland, X. C. Chen, J. J. Yang, J. S. Li, F. Zhao, et al., Zinc and other micronutrients improve growth and cognition of Chinese children,J. Trace Elements Exp. Med.,8:2, 114 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science, Hamdard University, P.O. Box 5133, Lund, Sweden

    Mohamed Abdulla

  2. Labcatal Laboratories, 92541, Montrouge, France

    Catherine Suck

Authors
  1. Mohamed Abdulla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Catherine Suck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Abdulla, M., Suck, C. Blood levels of copper, iron, zinc, and lead in adults in India and Pakistan and the effect of oral zinc supplementation for six weeks. Biol Trace Elem Res 61, 323–331 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02789092

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02789092

Index Entries

  • Zinc
  • copper
  • iron
  • infection
  • deficiency
  • supplementation