Influence of dietary fiber on trace element balance

Five adult male volunteers were fed a diet containing (as percent of calories) 16% protein, 40% fat, and 44% carbohydrate, a diet similar to that consumed by many American males. Twenty-six grams of soft white wheat bran or corn bran were added to the daily bread, and the effects on zinc, iron, and copper balance were assessed during the last 12 days of each 30-day study period. The soft white wheat bran appeared to decrease retention of zinc in four subjects but not significantly so. Iron retention was similar in all three treatments. Copper balance was improved by addition of soft white wheat bran and to a lesser degree by corn bran. An apparent copper requirement of 1.28 mg/day for the volunteers was calculated by regression analysis.