High bioavailability of calcium in fortified Horlicks.
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.
Teucher
B
B
Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, Norfolk, UK.
Dainty
J R
JR
Fairweather-Tait
S J
SJ
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
D002127:Calcium Isotopes; D002136:Calcium, Dietary