Comparative absorption of ferrous and heme-iron with meals in normal and iron deficient subjects.
The relative intestinal absorption of heme- and non heme-iron in connection with a standardized test meal was studied in a group of fertile women given 16 mg Fe in the form of FeSO4 and 2 mg Fe in the form of hemoglobin. Both in normal subjects and in women with iron deficiency, the heme-iron was significantly better absorbed (16.13% +/- S.D. 8.0 vs 4.59 +/- 3.4, p < 0.01 and 22.03 +/- 8.9 vs 9.45 +/- 7.8, p < 0.05). For targeted prophylaxis of iron deficiency with small, side-effect-free doses, heme-iron is thus a valuable component which increases the absorption by about 40%. Heme-iron does not cause high concentrations in the intestinal lumen of free radical inducing, possibly harmful ferric iron.
Ekman
M
M
Hematology Laboratory, Karolinska Hospital and Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Reizenstein
P
P
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006418:Heme / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007501:Iron / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D013607:Tablets
D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D013607:Tablets; D006418:Heme; D007501:Iron