title: Zinc absorption in Brazilian subjects fed a healthy meal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The high amounts of phytic acid present in diets from developing countries are considered as important inhibitors of zinc (Zn) absorption. The present study aimed to assess the fractional absorption of Zn from a meal containing common Brazilian foods using the stable isotope technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve men, aged 19-42 years, were fed a healthy experimental diet comprising lettuce, tomato, French fries, steak with onions, rice, beans, papaya, orange, pineapple, and passion fruit juice. Each subject received one intravenous dose of enriched (70) Zn, and the lunch was extrinsically labelled with enriched (67) Zn. Urinary (67) Zn and (70) Zn enrichments were assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The labelled meal phytate : Zn molar ratio was very divergent with respect to chemically determined and calculated data. Subjects presented a normal Zn nutritional status before and after the study. The mean Zn absorption from the labelled meal was 30% (range 11-47%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the World Health Organization parameters, the results denote a moderate/high Zn bioavailability in the evaluated meal, with a variability in the absorption percentage that is similar to other studies. The data show that a typical Brazilian meal, with an adequate energy amount and a balanced macronutrient distribution, presents a Zn bioavailability in accordance with the worldwide recommended standard.
authors: Nutrition Nucleus, Academic Center of Vitoria, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Ribeiro
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Cominetti
authors: M H
authors: MH
authors: Kakazu
authors: J E S
authors: JE
authors: Sarkis
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Dainty
authors: T E
authors: TE
authors: Fox
authors: S M F
authors: SM
authors: Cozzolino
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000328:Adult; D001682:Biological Availability; D001938:Brazil; D003906:Developing Countries; D004032:Diet; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D058870:Food, Organic; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010833:Phytic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D010833:Phytic Acid; D015032:Zinc
keywords: Brazil; bioavailability; isotope labelling; single meal; zinc