Bioavailability of iron and zinc from a multiple micronutrient-fortified beverage.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that micronutrient beverages can provide the daily iron and zinc needs of small children.


METHODS
Forty children aged 6 to 9 years were recruited (Lima, Peru). For 4 weeks, they received a daily serving of a beverage containing multiple micronutrients. Over 2 consecutive days, subjects received stable isotope-labeled servings of the beverage with and without a meal as well as an intravenous dose of zinc. Iron and zinc bioavailability were assessed using mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
Iron absorption was significantly lower with a meal than without (9.8 +/- 6.7% versus 11.6 +/- 6.9%, P=.04), but zinc absorption was not (24.5 +/- 10.7% versus 22.8 +/- 7.6%, P=.2). In either case, however, a single daily serving provided most of the iron and zinc requirements for the children.


CONCLUSIONS
Single daily servings of multinutrient-fortified beverages can meet much of the mineral needs for small children. Food has a small inhibitory effect on iron, but not zinc, absorption; therefore, these beverages can be efficacious even when given with a meal.
Avalos Mishaan
Ana M
AM
USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, and Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, 77030, USA.
Zavaleta
Nelly
N
Griffin
Ian J
IJ
Hilmers
David C
DC
Hawthorne
Keli M
KM
Abrams
Steven A
SA
D000886:Anthropometry; D001628:Beverages; D001682:Biological Availability; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002712:Chlorides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015033:Zinc Isotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D002712:Chlorides; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D015033:Zinc Isotopes; C016837:zinc chloride; D005293:Ferritins