Zinc metabolism under physiological conditions
Leary, W.P.; Olhaberry, J.V.; Reyes, A.J.; Lockett, C.J.
South African Medical Journal 64(8): 283-284
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 6879385 Document Number: 219290
Zinc is the sixth commonest cation in the human body. The daily dietary requirement for adults is 15 mg, and foods of animal origin are the richest dietary source. Zinc absorption (10-25% of the ingested amount) occurs in the small intestine. Plasma zinc is transported mainly by protein and also by amino acids. Zinc is widely distributed throughout the body, and is mainly excreted in faeces but also in urine and sweat.