Universidad de Córdoba BIODISPONIBILIDAD MINERAL DE ...

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electron transfer and redox reactions) (Yip, 2001). Iron deficiency is the most
prevalent single nutritional deficiency in the world (worldwide prevalence being
about 30%, WHO/UNICEF, 1998), and is the main cause of anemia in infants,
children, adolescents, and women of childbearing age. Iron deficiency anemia is
related to delayed cognitive development and intellectual impairment in children
(Grantham-McGregor & Ani, 2001), reduced work capacity (Haas & Brownlie,
2001), an increased risk of maternal and neonatal mortality (Allen, 2002), and
altered immune function (Cook & Lynch, 1986).
Zinc in turn is essential for normal growth and development, because it
plays an important role in gene expression, regulation of cellular growth and
differentiation (Hambidge, 2000), and development of the immune response. It
has a recognized action on more than 300 enzymes implied in the metabolism
of nucleic acids, carbohydrates and proteins, participating as a cofactor
(Salguerio, Zubilaga, Lysionek, Caro, Weill, & Boccio, 2002). Marginal Zn
deficiency is a common nutritional problem in developing and developed
countries (Michelson, Samuelson, Graham, & Lonnerdal, 1994). Among
children, it produces serious consequences for health such as retarded growth,
an increase in infectious diseases, and impaired cognitive function (Rosado,
1998).
Copper play a pivotal role in cell physiology as a catalytic cofactor in the
redox chemistry of enzymes for proteins that carry out fundamental biological
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