Metal Matters, a conference on iron, copper and zinc, the British Nutrition Foundation, at the Institute of Physics, London, 1 November 2002

Nutrition & Food Science

ISSN: 0034-6659

Article publication date: 1 April 2003

35

Citation

(2003), "Metal Matters, a conference on iron, copper and zinc, the British Nutrition Foundation, at the Institute of Physics, London, 1 November 2002", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 33 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2003.01733bac.003

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited


Metal Matters, a conference on iron, copper and zinc, the British Nutrition Foundation, at the Institute of Physics, London, 1 November 2002

Metal Matters, a conference on iron, copper and zinc, the British Nutrition Foundation, at the Institute of Physics, London, 1 November 2002.

The following topics were discussed:

  • "The effect of iron on cognitive function" – which described the numbers affected by low iron status. Cognitive function was shown to be worse in children who suffered from anaemia during the first two years of life.

  • "Nutrient gene interaction – iron and infectious disease", detailed how iron can be at the centre of a battleground between host and pathogen.

  • "Iron as a potential prooxidant in the colon". Therefore, iron was suggestedto be an independent risk for colon cancer.

  • "The role of copper in nutrition and health". Copper as being an essential trace element and part of many enzyme systems was described. Difficulties in studying copper deficiencies were regarded as problematical as there is at present no way to adequately assess copper status.

  • "Role of zinc on bone health". Zinc is found in the bone matrix and a co-factor for enzymes involved in synthesising the matrix components. Elderly people were shown to have a low zinc status. Many other individuals also did not achieve the DRV for zinc.

  • "Bioavailability of copper, iron andzinc". Factors affecting the bioavailability of these minerals were detailed.

  • "Implication of reduced meat intake on nutrient status" was covered and showed that iron intake could be reduced. Also, meat had been found to be an important dietary and effective source of vitamin D, and the findings on this were detailed.

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