Effect of wheat bran on zinc absorption.
The effect of wheat bran on zinc absorption was studied in normal volunteers using a zinc tolerance test (ZTT) and whole-body monitor to measure the 7-day percentage retention of 65zinc (65Zn). Twenty-three subjects (age 21-26 years) were randomized into three groups. All were given 5 microCi of 65Zn orally in a 10 ml solution of zinc sulphate which contained 15 mg of elemental zinc. In addition, Group A were given 20 g wheat bran, Group B 20 g Rice Krispies (a low-fibre food) and Group C had zinc alone. The differences between the retention of 65Zn in the three groups were all statistically significant (A vs B P less than 0.005; B vs C and A vs C P less than 0.001). Similarly the differences in the areas under the ZTT curves in the three groups were all statistically significant (A vs B P less than 0.005; B vs C and A vs C P less than 0.001). We conclude that wheat bran leads to a significant reduction in zinc absorption which could eventually induce a state of zinc deficiency.
D000328:Adult; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D013431:Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism*; D014908:Triticum / Q000009:adverse effects; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D019287:Zinc Sulfate
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D013431:Sulfates; D019287:Zinc Sulfate; D015032:Zinc