title: Iron absorption from a natural mineral water (Spatone Iron-Plus).
abstract: Spatone Iron-Plus is a naturally occurring mineral water from Trefriw Wells Spa in Gwynedd, Wales, UK which contains approximately 0.3 mg of iron per ml as ferrous sulphate. The water has been taken as a tonic since Victorian times. Iron absorption from Spatone Iron-Plus was measured in a whole body counter after labelling the water with [59Fe] ferrous sulphate. Absorption studies were carried out in 13 subjects. Mean absorption for 10 ml of Spatone Iron-Plus taken on an empty stomach was 23 percent. Absorption was related to body iron stores as assessed by serum ferritin. In subjects with a serum ferritin concentration of <10 mu g/I, absorption was approximately 40 percent but was <10 percent in subjects with ferritin concentrations of approximately 200 mu g/I. This study indicates that Spatone Iron-Plus provides iron in a highly bio-available form.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, University of Wales College of Medicine and University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Worwood
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Villis
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Burnett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008900:Mineral Waters
chemical_list: D019266:Iron, Dietary; D008900:Mineral Waters; D005293:Ferritins