Trace element (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Se) intakes of a group of French men using the duplicate diet technique

Abstract

In France there is little information on trace element intakes. The present work reports the average daily trace element intakes from French collectivity diets (Grenoble Hospital). Fourteen healthy adult men were enrolled in this trial. Foods and beverages consumed were collected daily for 5 consecutive days, using the duplicate diet technique. Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe were determined in lyophilised daily samples by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry, whereas Se was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The average daily intakes were found to be 1.2 ± 0.05 mg for Cu, 10.8 ± 0.39 mg for Fe, 3.7 ± 0.15 mg for Mn, 10.5 ± 0.47 mg for Zn and 48 ± 3 μg for Se. The micronutrient densities were 0.12 ± 0.005 mg/MJ (0.52 ± 0.021 mg/1000kcal) for Cu, 1.12 ± 0.045 mg/MJ (4.7 ± 0.19 mg/1000kcal) for Fe, 0.39 ± 0.017 mg/MJ (1.64 ± 0.069 mg/1000kcal) for Mn, 1.10 ± 0.049 mg/MJ (4.6 ± 0.20 mg/1000 kcal) for Zn and 5.11 ± 0.362 μg/MJ (21.4 ± 1.51 μg/1000kcal) for Se. Expressed per kg body weight, daily intakes were found to be 16 ± 0.7 μg/kg/d for Cu, 0.14 ± 0.005 mg/kg/d for Fe, 49 ± 2.0 μg/kg/d for Mn, 0.64 ± 0.04 μg/kg/d for Se and 0.14 ± 0.006 mg/kg/d for Zn. These results were in agreement with previous studies in other countries, using the same method. Iron and manganese intakes appeared to be adequate, whereas the requirements recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board, National Academy of Sciences of the United States were not met for Cu, Zn and Se. The question of copper, zinc and selenium deficiencies because of a suboptimal intake and an increased requirement due to illness is raised.