Daily intakes of manganese, copper, zinc and cadmium by New Zealand women

Abstract

A total of 179 duplicate diets were collected by 23 women consuming their habitual diet. Of the subjects , 12 were living in a residential hall for students, the others were living in their own homes or in flats. Collection periods varied from 3-21 days. Average daily intakes were:Mn 2.7 mg; Cu 1.5 mg for diets not containing liver, 7.6 mg for 15 diets containing liver; Zn 10.0 mg; Cd 21 .mu.g for diets not containing liver, 27 .mu.g for 15 diets containing liver. The intakes were compared with values for adults from other countries and with current recommended dietary allowances or estimated minimum requirements. Mn intakes were typical for non-vegetarian Western diets. Cu and Zn intakes may have been marginally low. The intakes of Cd were low. Daily intakes of protein (71 g), fat (83 g), carbohydrate (224 g) and energy (8.1 MJ) from 129 of the diets were similar to recent values obtained for New Zealand women. Subjects living in the residential hall had higher intakes of all nutrients than subjects living in their own homes or flats.