Other minerals

Necessary for making red blood cells, copper is essential.
In addition, copper is a cofactor in enzymes involved with vascular and
skeletal tissues. It is absorbed in the duodenum and proximal jejunum.
Deficiency of this mineral can mimic symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency,
including gait disturbances, peripheral neuropathy, muscle weakness, and
anemia.Cases of patients with optic neuropathy and myopathy due to
copper deficiency have been documented.Hemodialysis does not remove
copper; however, levels should be monitored in hemodialysis patients who
have had gastric bypass as deficiency has been reported. Measurement of not
only serum copper, but also ceruloplasm is recommended to detect
deficiencies.

Zinc is an important mineral involved in more than 300 enzyme systems in the
body and necessary for proper immune function. It has been found to be
deficient in many gastric bypass patients. Signs of deficiency include taste
acuity changes, loss of appetite, loss of hair, or skin changes. If meat
intake is low, zinc, iron, and copper may be be at risk for deficiency.
Deficiency of zinc is difficult to detect since serum zinc represents less
than 0.1 percent of total zinc stores.

Zinc is not removed during hemodialysis. Provision of too much supplemental
zinc can interfere with activity of copper in the body. Doses of 50mg or
more per day can be problematic for copper metabolism.


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