Trace mineral intake of enlisted military personnel. Preliminary observations.

The results of this study indicate that copper intakes were generally significantly below the Food and Nutrition Board's recommended range. It is presently unknown whether the new, 1979 recommendation is too high or whether copper deficiency-related problems may eventually develop in these men. When compared with the new recommendations, zinc and manganese intakes appeared to be adequate. Individual intakes must either be monitored over several days or a large population surveyed to determine whether dietary intakes of minerals are adequate. This is due mainly to large day-to-day variations in individual dietary intakes.