Iron and Copper Although iron and copper are found in such minute amounts in the body that

they are called trace elements, they are both absolutely essential to health. Iron is a necessary part of hemoglobin, the coloring matter of red blood cells. Hemoglob in allows the red blood cells to combine with oxygen in the lungs and carry it t o the body tissues. When red blood cells are worn out, the body collects the use d iron and sends it to the bone marrow to be used in the manufacture of new red blood cells. Without copper, the body could not produce these cells. Red meats (especially liver), egg yolks, dried fruits, whole grain cereals, and legumes (beans and peas) are good sources of these minerals. Iron is also presen t to some extent in dark green, leafy vegetables and enriched cereals. Deficiencies in iron and copper can result in nutritional anemia. Anemia is the l ack of an adequate number of red blood cells and/ or hemoglobin. Because the blo odstream cannot carry enough oxygen to the cells, the anemic patient suffers from dizziness and weakness which are two symptoms of a lack of oxygen. He loses wei ght, and his resistance to disease is lowered.