Consumption of a dehydrated ration for 31 days at moderate altitudes: status of zinc, copper, and vitamin B-6.
Intake of energy zinc, copper, and vitamin B-6 and indexes of zinc, copper and vitamin B-6 status were determined for eight men who consumed a high-carbohydrate dehydrated ration for 31 days of high activity at moderate altitudes (2,400 to 4,300 m). Data were collected 2 months before exposure (PRE), four times during the month at moderate altitudes (ALT), and 1 month after return (RET). Mean (+/- standard error) energy intake was 2,725 +/- 215, 3,430 +/- 79, and 3,370 +/- 215 kcal/day during PRE, ALT, and RET, respectively. Zinc and copper intakes averaged 10.6 +/- 1.6 and 1.0 +/- 0.1 mg/day during PRE and increased significantly to 16.9 +/- 0.7 and 3.5 +/- 0.1 mg/day during ALT; zinc and copper intakes were 15.5 +/- 1.6 and 1.9 +/- 0.3 mg/day for RET, respectively. Similarly, vitamin B-6 intake was significantly higher during ALT (PRE = 2.2 +/- 0.5 mg/day; ALT = 4.2 +/- 0.4 mg/day; and RET = 2.6 +/- 0.4 mg/day) as compared with PRE and RET. No significant changes were noted for plasma zinc, copper, or their related proteins or plasma or erythrocyte pyridoxal-5'-phosphate. Finally, no changes in urinary excretion of zinc were observed. The results indicate that dehydrated rations provide zinc, copper, and vitamin B-6 in amounts above the Recommended Dietary Allowances. Such diets may be consumed for at least 1 month without compromising status for these nutrients.
Deuster
P A
PA
Department of Military Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799.
Gallagher
K L
KL
Singh
A
A
Reynolds
R D
RD
D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D002149:Energy Intake; D005519:Food Preservation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010953:Plasma Volume; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate / Q000097:blood; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine
D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc; D011736:Pyridoxine