Question

Zinc deficiency in Iranian and Egyptian men occurred because:

a) they did not eat meat.
b) the diet was low in zinc since local soils were low in zinc.
c) they consumed diets high in animal protein, which inhibits zinc absorption.
d) phytates in the diet bound zinc, decreasing its bioavailability.

Answer 1

Zinc deficiency in Iranian and Egyptian men was mainly due to diets high in phytates which bound zinc and made it less bioavailable, rather than a direct lack of zinc in the diet.

Step-by-step explanation:

Zinc deficiency in Iranian and Egyptian men primarily occurred due to phytates in their diets which bound zinc and decreased its bioavailability. This is a type of dietary deficiency where substances in the consumed foods inhibit the absorption of essential minerals. Phytates, found in high levels particularly in cereal grains, have the capacity to bind minerals like zinc, making them unavailable for absorption by the body. Zinc deficiency can have several health-related consequences, as it is an essential mineral for various biological processes.