Many factors are thought to affect the accumulation and toxicity of metals from dietary sources. Bioavailability depends on the chemical form of the element found in food, the nature of the food ingested, the composition of the total diet, and the health and nutritional well-being of the individual . Information on the chemical speciation of Cu from vegetable and animal foodstuffs is limited , however it has been shown that the amount of Cu absorbed increases as the amount in the diet increases, but absorption is much more efficient and a higher percentage is absorbed when intake is low . The mode of absorption in the intestine and subsequent movement within the body is dependent upon the chemical form of the element, therefore, information on speciation can be used to predict and interpret how the element will be metabolised.