Biochemistry of Trace Element Delivery

There are instances in which, despite an apparently adequate intake of trace elements, either in the diet alone or from the combination of diet plus supplementation, the clinical symptoms persist. This may be due to a flaw or deficiency in the underlying, highly complicated biochemistry of trace element absorption and assimilation such a deficiency may be because there is an inadequate presence of some essential co-factors. 

Volumes have been published about the biochemistry and pharmacology of elements such as iron, cobalt, zinc, etc. (see, for example, the articles by P.M. May and D.R. Williams in Iron Metabolism edited by 

Jacobs and M. Worwood, Academic Press, London, 1982). Indeed, life science laboratory walls often display large posters concerning the detailed biochemistry of the metal reactions occurring in a range of cells and at a variety of sites in the body. 

For various reasons, for example, the hydrolytic reactions discussed above, it is sometimes necessary to target the metal complex to specific organs or sites by such relatively simple arrangements as the enteric 

Jacobs and M. Worwood (eds), Iron Metabolism , Academic Press, 

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