[Interaction of iron, zinc and copper in the body of animals and humans].

In the light of the pertinent literature the sites and mechanisms of interactions of iron, zinc and copper in the human and animal organism are discussed. Both low and high intake of any of them may influence the utilization and metabolism of both remaining ones. E.G. dietary copper deficiency impairs the mobilization of iron reserves from the liver, and its excess inhibits the intestinal absorption of iron and zinc. Iron in excess may antagonize copper and zinc in the intestinal mucosa. Zinc excess has an unfavourable influence on iron balance by reducing the bioavailability of copper, and zinc deficiency reduces the rate of protein synthesis impairing, among others, the transport of these elements with blood. The occurrence of interaction depends on the mutual proportions of components and their sum in the diet. Attention is called to these interrelationships which are of practical importance in human nutrition.