Phytic acid copper absorption

If one had to state an overall role of copper in the body, one might say oxygen metabolism. One major factor shared by both zinc and copper is that both metal ions occur bound to metallothionein. The function of metallothionein is not firmly established. Copper is bound to another protein, ceruloplasmin, which occurs in the cell and plasma. The function of this protein is not clear either. Zinc absorption, as iron absorption, is impaired by high levels of phytic acid. Copper absorption is not inhibited by phytic acid. The major route of excretion of both metal ions is fecal, rather than urinary. 

No effect on apparent absorption of iron, manganese or copper although not statistically significant, absorption of zinc tended to decrease with increased phytic acid intake (44)... 

The ability of zinc ions to block copper absorption, possibly by formation of- intestinal metallothionein that strongly binds copper, has led to its use in pharmacological doses in the management of Wilson s disease/ Similarly molybdate ion can form insoluble copper-molybdate complexes in the intestine that limit copper absorption. The detrimental effects of organic phosphate (phytic acid) in limiting zinc absorption are aggravated by excess dietary calcium, probably by formation of a highly insoluble Ca-Zn-phytate complex. The subject of these and other interactions has been reviewed, ... 

ABSORPTION, METABOLISM, EXCRETION. Zinc is poorly absorbed less than 10% of dietary zinc is taken into the body, primarily in the duodenum. It appears that metallic zinc and zinc in its carbonate, sulfate, and oxide forms are all absorbed equally well. Large amounts of calcium, phytic acid, or copper inhibit zinc absorption. Cadmium appears to be a zinc antimetabolite. 

---