ABSTRACT
Macroelements, such as zinc, iron, and copper, although taken daily in very small amounts, are key components necessary to maintain cellular homeostasis. The primary reason for this necessity is associated with the fact that hundreds of metalloenzymes require a metal element, as a cofactor, to be functional. Among the systems that require these elements, is the immune system. In this chapter, we review the existing data regarding the potential immunomodulatory effects of iron, zinc, and copper through epidemiological and animal data associated with natural and acquired immunity, as well as host resistance.
