Milk inhibits and ascorbic acid favors ferrous bis-glycine chelate bioavailability in humans.
The chemical properties of ferrous bis-glycine chelate allow for its use as a fortificant in fluid, high fat vehicles. This chemical form may also protect iron from the inhibitory or enhancing effects of the diet on iron absorption. Alternatively, iron bis-glycine chelate may be absorbed by a mechanism independent of an individual's iron stores. To test these hypotheses, the bioavailability of iron bis-glycine chelate added to water and milk was studied using a double-isotopic method in two groups of 14 women. Iron absorption from aqueous solutions of 0.27 mmol/L (15 mg/L) of elemental iron as either iron bis-glycine or ferrous ascorbate was not significantly different (34.6 and 29.9%, respectively). There were significant correlations between (log) iron absorption of iron bis-glycine with (log) serum ferritin (r = -0.60, P < 0.03) and with (log) iron absorption from ferrous ascorbate (r = 0.71, P < 0.006), suggesting that iron bis-glycine chelate bioavailability is indeed affected by iron stores. Iron absorption of iron bis-glycine given in milk was significantly lower (P < 0.002) than when given in water, with values of 11.1 and 46.3%, respectively (standardized to 40% absorption of the reference dose). With the addition of 0.57 mmol/L ascorbic acid (100 mg/L), iron absorption of iron bis-glycine given in milk increased significantly from 11.1 to 15.4% (P < 0.05). These findings show that milk and ascorbic acid affect iron bis-glycine chelate bioavailability and also demonstrate that iron stores may influence its bioavailability as well. The good bioavailability of iron bis-glycine makes this compound a suitable alternative to be considered in iron fortification programs.
Olivares
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Hematology Unit, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago 11, Chile.
Pizarro
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F
Pineda
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Name
J J
JJ
Hertrampf
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E
Walter
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T
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001682:Biological Availability; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards*; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*
D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; C051140:iron(II)-ascorbic acid complex; D014867:Water; D005293:Ferritins; D001205:Ascorbic Acid