Thomas Walczyk1, Sumithra Muthayya2, Rita Wegmüller3, Prashanth Thankachan2, Aafje Sierksma4, Leon G J Frenken4, Tinku Thomas2, Anura Kurpad2, Richard F Hurrell3. 1. Laboratory for Human Nutrition, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Departments of Chemistry (Science) and Biochemistry (Medicine), National University of Singapore, Singapore; walczyk@nus.edu.sg. 2. Division of Nutrition, St. John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India; and. 3. Laboratory for Human Nutrition, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; 4. Unilever Research and Development, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Calcium inhibits and ascorbic acid (AA) enhances iron absorption from iron-fortified foods. Absorption efficiency depends on iron status, although the interaction is unclear. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the ability of AA to overcome calcium-induced inhibition of iron absorption in children differing in iron status. METHODS: The effect of calcium (0, 100, and 200 mg/test meal) on iron absorption in the absence and presence of AA (0, 42.5, and 85 mg/test meal) from a casein/whey-based drink fortified with ferrous sulfate was assessed in a series of randomized crossover studies both in iron-replete (IR) Indian schoolchildren and in children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) (6-11 y; n = 14-16/group) by using stable isotopes. RESULTS: In the absence of calcium and AA, iron absorption from the casein/whey-based drink was 20% lower in IR children than in children with IDA. The addition of calcium reduced mean iron absorption by 18-27%, with the effect being stronger for high added calcium (P < 0.01). AA at a 2:1 or 4:1 molar ratio enhanced iron absorption by a factor of 2-4 and greatly overcompensated for the inhibitory effect of calcium on iron absorption in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001). The dose-response effect tended to be stronger (P < 0.1) in the IDA group, and iron status was of far less influence on iron absorption than the enhancing effect of AA. CONCLUSION: When adding AA to iron-fortified milk products, care should be taken not to provide absorbable iron in excess of needs.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Calcium inhibits and ascorbic acid (AA) enhances iron absorption from iron-fortified foods. Absorption efficiency depends on iron status, although the interaction is unclear. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the ability of AA to overcome calcium-induced inhibition of iron absorption in children differing in iron status. METHODS: The effect of calcium (0, 100, and 200 mg/test meal) on iron absorption in the absence and presence of AA (0, 42.5, and 85 mg/test meal) from a casein/whey-based drink fortified with ferrous sulfate was assessed in a series of randomized crossover studies both in iron-replete (IR) Indian schoolchildren and in children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) (6-11 y; n = 14-16/group) by using stable isotopes. RESULTS: In the absence of calcium and AA, iron absorption from the casein/whey-based drink was 20% lower in IR children than in children with IDA. The addition of calcium reduced mean iron absorption by 18-27%, with the effect being stronger for high added calcium (P < 0.01). AA at a 2:1 or 4:1 molar ratio enhanced iron absorption by a factor of 2-4 and greatly overcompensated for the inhibitory effect of calcium on iron absorption in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001). The dose-response effect tended to be stronger (P < 0.1) in the IDA group, and iron status was of far less influence on iron absorption than the enhancing effect of AA. CONCLUSION: When adding AA to iron-fortified milk products, care should be taken not to provide absorbable iron in excess of needs.
Authors: Sean Lynch; Christine M Pfeiffer; Michael K Georgieff; Gary Brittenham; Susan Fairweather-Tait; Richard F Hurrell; Harry J McArdle; Daniel J Raiten Journal: J Nutr Date: 2018-06-01 Impact factor: 4.798
Authors: Sharon J Henare; Nadia Nur Singh; Ashling M Ellis; Paul J Moughan; Abby K Thompson; Thomas Walczyk Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2019-12-01 Impact factor: 7.045