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Abstract

A method for maintaining the immune system of a warm-blooded animal afflicted with a form of antigenic morbidity exacerbated by intestinal malabsorption of minerals is disclosed. Minerals selected from the group consisting of copper, zinc, manganese, iron and selenium are provided in the form of amino acid chelates having a ligand to mineral ratio of at least 1:1, a molecular weight of no more than 1500 and a stability constant of between about 10.sup.6 and 10.sup.16 and administered orally. They are absorbed from a portion of the intestinal tract other than that utilized for the absorption of cations. The method is particularly adapted to the maintaining of the immune system of a warm-blooded animal infected by a virus which compromises the absorption of trace minerals via the normal cationic absorption route. The presence of intestinal malabsorption in the host showing symptoms of antigenic morbidity is first confirmed. Based on previous data of mineral levels and ratios in assayed tissues and/or body fluids of similarly infected hosts compared with mineral levels and ratios in healthy hosts, an amino acid chelate composition is formulated and administered to the afflicted animal(s) for such time as is necessary for the immune system to be properly maintained.

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