Dietary copper intake of the population

Average copper intakes by different groups of the Czech population, supplemented by the results of serum copper level determinations, are surveyed. It is shown that the dietary copper intake averages in males range from 1.26 to 3.08 mg per person per day, in females from 1.61 to 2.37 mg per person per day. The main copper sources are cereals and meat. Judged by the recommended allowances, dietary intakes of this trace element in Czechoslovakia appear adequate. This is supported by the serum copper levels (18.55-25.8 mumol/l) in the selected groups of the population: none of these was below the range of normal physiological limits.