[Effects of doses of cereal foods and zinc on different blood parameters in performing athletes].

A total of 51 athletes, randomly divided into two groups (with or without zinc supplementation) and respective two subgroups (with or without cereal diet) had been tested for their serum levels in respect of zinc, iron, copper, phosphorus and potassium over a period of 8 weeks, i.e. during a period of competition. Furthermore, subpopulations of lymphocytes were defined. Modifications of the immunologic defense mechanism with special regard to the zinc level could, however, not be detected. Minerals, i.e. zinc and iron revealed to decrease significantly during simultaneous uptake of certain amounts of the cereal products. This is due to the relatively high amounts of phytates in cereals which are capable to bind the trace elements in form of complex salts.