title: High bioavailability of calcium in fortified Horlicks.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the bioavailability of calcium carbonate-fortified Horlicks with calcium naturally present in milk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised crossover within-subject comparison using a double label stable isotope technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Institute of Food Research, Human Nutrition Unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen pre-menopausal women aged 23-40 y, habituated to a high-calcium diet (mean 1240 mg/day).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean true fractional calcium absorption was 38.8% (s.d.+/-14.5) from Horlicks and 21.2% (s.d.+/-4.6) from milk. Significantly more calcium was absorbed from a serving of Horlicks than from the same quantity of calcium present in 420 g semi-skimmed milk (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fortified Horlicks is a highly bioavailable source of calcium. A single serving, containing at least 500 mg calcium, provides half the reference nutrient intake for the population sub-group with the highest requirement (adolescent boys) and more than half for all others.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  SmithKline Beecham funded this research project.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Teucher
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Dainty
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Fairweather-Tait
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D002127:Calcium Isotopes; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D009751:Nutritional Requirements
chemical_list: D002127:Calcium Isotopes; D002136:Calcium, Dietary