Clinical, Biochemical, and Nutritional Aspects of Trace Elements

This volume is the publication of the proceedings of a conference held in Detroit, Michigan, in 1980. It is unfortunate that the publication was delayed nearly two years from the time of the meeting. However, knowledge is not accumulating quite as rapidly in this field as it is in some others, so the delay is not seriously deleterious. Over the past two decades knowledge of trace elements has increased dramatically, and it is timely and interesting to have a review such as this. The trace elements considered in this volume are zinc, copper, chromium, selenium, manganese, nickel and its congeners, lead, cadmium, and mercury. The section on zinc is the longest, nearly 280 pages, and emphasizes the increase in our understanding of zinc metabolism over the past decades. The volume contains summaries of zinc balance and availability in humans and a separate chapter on the nutritional implications of zinc in the infant and child. These will be highly useful data for those designing nutritional programs. The chapter on the metabolism and biochemistry of zinc is very thorough and interesting. The chapter on copper deficiency and toxicity contains a nice list of the copper content of selected human foods, which will be helpful to individuals who are interested in copper metabolism, and to people caring for patients with Wilson's disease. Chromium and selenium are poorly understood trace elements which are reviewed in three chapters. There is an interesting chapter on the interactions of essential metals in human physiology. The effect of zinc supply on copper metabolism, the interactions of manganese and iron, and similar element interactions are of research interest. They are also of practical consideration in both the treatment of patients with trace element deficiencies, and the supplementation of diets in patients who have bowel disease or are receiving parenteral nutrition. The chapter on lead toxicity is extremely short and constitutes only a superficial review, although it is well referenced. There are few primary data in this book, but each of the chapters constitutes an up-to-date review of the subject. The chapters are well referenced. Physicians, nutritionists, and others designing nutritional programs, both enteral and parenteral, will find it useful to have a compendium of information on trace elements. Those interested in the toxicity of environmental compounds will find the chapters on toxicity and the included references a valuable help. Individuals caring for patients with inherited metabolic disorders which involve trace metals or synthetic diets will also find the chapters interesting.