Absorption of calcium from milks enriched with fructo-oligosaccharides, caseinophosphopeptides, tricalcium phosphate, and milk solids.
BACKGROUND
Adequate intakes of calcium are required for optimal bone health and protection against chronic disease. Dairy products are an excellent source of calcium.


OBJECTIVE
The absorption of calcium from a range of fortified milks was measured in humans with the use of stable isotopes.


METHODS
Fifteen volunteers participated in a randomized, controlled, double-blind crossover study. Five types of semi-skimmed (1.9% fat) milk drinks were administered with a light breakfast: standard milk (control milk); milk enriched with calcium from milk solids and tricalcium phosphate [(TCP) MSS milk]; milk enriched with calcium from concentrated milk (CON milk); milk with added fructo-oligosaccharides [(FOSs) FOS milk]; and milk with added caseinophosphopeptides [(CPPs) CPP milk]. All the milks were labeled with 42Ca as CaCl2. The MSS milk was also labeled with 44Ca as TCP. The quantity of calcium in each drink was kept the same by varying the volume given.


RESULTS
Calcium absorption did not differ significantly between the control milk and the calcium-fortified milks (MSS and CON milk) or the FOS and CPP milks. However, calcium absorption from the TCP added to the MSS milk was significantly higher than that from the control milk (27.5 +/- 7.6% and 24.5 +/- 7.3%, respectively; P = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Calcium-enriched milks are a valuable source of well-absorbed calcium. Absorption of added calcium as TCP was higher than that of calcium from the control milk, but the addition of FOSs or CPPs did not significantly increase calcium absorption. Further research is needed to ascertain the cost-effectiveness and public health benefits of consuming fortified milks.
Institute of Food Research, Norwich, United Kingdom.
Eduardo
E
López-Huertas
Birgit
B
Teucher
Julio J
JJ
Boza
Antonio
A
Martínez-Férez
Gosia
G
Majsak-Newman
Luis
L
Baró
Juan J
JJ
Carrero
María
M
González-Santiago
Juristo
J
Fonollá
Susan
S
Fairweather-Tait
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002127:Calcium Isotopes; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry*; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D010748:Phosphopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D002127:Calcium Isotopes; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D010748:Phosphopeptides; C116580:fructooligosaccharide; C018392:tricalcium phosphate