Copper status of mice fed hydrogenated vegetable oil, cocoa butter, fresh and cured pork from high and low nitrate/nitrite containing diets

Copper bioavailability in rats fed unused palm olein and palm olein used in frying

“…Therefore there were no significant differences in copper apparent absorption or in the efficacy with which this process took place (%A/I). Some studies indicate that saturated long‐chain fatty acids such as palmitic and stearic reduce copper absorption because they form poorly soluble soaps with this mineral, while medium‐chain fatty acids have no effect25 or enhance it 23…”

“…Serum and erythrocyte copper contents were also unaffected (Table 5). Joo et al 23 observed that cocoa butter administered to mice enhances whole blood copper concentration as well as copper absorption and retention. Other studies indicate that highly unsaturated fat diets induce elevation in erythrocyte copper levels 49.…”

“…A high level of dietary fat exacerbates the signs of copper deficiency,21 which secondarily affects lipid metabolism 11. Copper retention was unaffected by diets containing saturated or polyunsaturated fat in trained athletes,22 while other authors reported that saturated fat enhances copper absorption and whole blood copper23 as well as copper and iron liver concentrations 24. Wapnir and Sia25 showed in rats that long‐chain fatty acids, palmitate and stearate, reduced copper absorption compared with medium chain free fatty acids.…”