Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T03:58:53.007Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Iron bioavailability: UK Food Standards Agency workshop report

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2007

Mamta Singh ,
Peter Sanderson ,
Richard F. Hurrell ,
Susan J. Fairweather-Tait ,
Catherine Geissler ,
Ann Prentice  and
John L. Beard
Mamta Singh*
Affiliation:
Food Standards Agency, Aviation House, 125 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NH, UK
Peter Sanderson
Affiliation:
Food Standards Agency, Aviation House, 125 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NH, UK
Richard F. Hurrell
Affiliation:
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, CH 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Susan J. Fairweather-Tait
Affiliation:
Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UA, UK
Catherine Geissler
Affiliation:
King's College London, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NN, UK
Ann Prentice
Affiliation:
MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Fulbourn Road, Cambridge, CB1 9NL, UK
John L. Beard
Affiliation:
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
*
*Corresponding author: Ms Mamta Singh, fax +44 20 7276 8906, email [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The UK Food Standards Agency convened a group of expert scientists to review current research investigating factors affecting iron status and the bioavailability of dietary iron. Results presented at the workshop show menstrual blood loss to be the major determinant of body iron stores in premenopausal women. In the presence of abundant and varied food supplies, the health consequences of lower iron bioavailability are unclear and require further investigation.

Keywords

Iron bioavailabilityFood Standards Agency workshops
Type
Workshop Report
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 96 , Issue 5 , November 2006 , pp. 985 - 990
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2006

References

Alexander, D, Ball, MJ & Mann, J (1994) Nutrient intake and haematological status of vegetarians and age-sex matched omnivores. Eur J Clin Nutr 48, 538–546.Google ScholarPubMed
Ball, MJ & Bartlett, MA (1999) Dietary intake and iron status of Australian vegetarian women. Am J Clin Nutr 70, 353–358.Google Scholar
Ballot, D, Baynes, RD, Bothwell, TH, Gillooly, M, MacFarlane, BJ, McPhail, AP, Lyons, G, Derman, DP, Bezwoda, WR & Torrance, JD (1987) The effects of fruit juices and fruits on the absorption of iron from a rice meal. Br J Nutr 57, 331–343.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bezwoda, WR, Torrance, JD, Bothwell, TH, MacPhail, AP, Graham, B & Mills, W (1985) Iron absorption from red and white wines. Scand J Haematol 34, 121–127.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Camaschella, C, Roetto, A & De Gobbi, M (2002) Genetic haemochromatosis: genes and mutations associated with iron loading. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 15, 261–276.Google Scholar
Conway, RE, Geissler, CA, Hider, RC, Thompson, RPH & Powell, JJ (2006) Serum iron curves can be used to estimate dietary iron bioavailability in humans. J Nutr 136, 1910–1914.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cook, JD (1990) Adaptation in iron metabolism. Am J Clin Nutr 51, 301–308.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cook, JD (1999) Defining optimal body iron. Proc Nutr Soc 58, 489–495.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cook, JD, Dassenko, SA & Whittaker, P (1991) Calcium supplementation: effect on iron absorption. Am J Clin Nutr 53, 106–111.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cook, JD & Monsen, ER (1976) Food iron absorption in human subjects. III. Comparison of the effect of animal proteins on nonheme iron absorption. Am J Clin Nutr 29, 859–867.Google Scholar
Cook, JD & Reddy, MB (2001) Effect of ascorbic acid intake on nonheme-iron absorption from a complete diet. Am J Clin Nutr 73, 93–98.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cook, JD, Watson, SS, Simpson, KM, Lipschitz, DA & Skikne, BS (1984) The effect of high ascorbic acid supplementation on body iron stores. Blood 64, 721–726.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Davidsson, L, Adou, P, Zeder, C, Walczyk, T & Hurrell, R (2003) The effect of retinyl palmitate added to iron-fortified maize porridge on erythrocyte incorporation of iron in African children with vitamin A deficiency. Br J Nutr 90, 337–343.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Disler, PB, Lynch, SR, Charlton, RW, Torrance, JD, Bothwell, TH, Walker, RB & Mayet, F (1975) The effect of tea on iron absorption. Gut 16, 193–200.Google Scholar
Fairweather-Tait, SJ (2001) Iron. J Nutr 131, 1383S–1386S.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Feder, JN, Gnirke, A & Thomas, W (1996) A novel MHC class I-like gene is mutated in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis. Nat Genet 13, 399–408.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ferguson, BJ, Skikne, BS, Simpson, KM, Baynes, RD & Cook, JD (1992) Serum transferrin receptor distinguishes the anemia of chronic disease from iron deficiency anemia. J Lab Clin Med 119, 385–390.Google Scholar
Finch, CA, Bellotti, V, Stray, S, Lipschitz, DA, Cook, JD, Pippard, MJ & Huebers, HA (1986) Plasma ferritin determination as a diagnostic tool. West J Med 145, 657–663.Google Scholar
Finch, S, Doyle, W, Lowe, C, Bates, CJ, Prentice, A, Smithers, G & Clarke, PC (1998) National Diet and Nutrition Survey: People Aged 65 Years and Over. Volume 1: Report of the Diet and Nutrition Survey. London: The Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Food and Agriculture Organization & World Health Organization (1988) Requirements of Vitamin A, Iron, Folate and Vitamin B12, Report of a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation no. 23. Rome: FAO.Google Scholar
Garcia-Casal, MN, Layrisse, M, Solano, L, Baron, MA, Arguello, F, Llovera, D, Ramirez, J, Leets, I & Tropper, E (1998) Vitamin A and beta-carotene can improve nonheme iron absorption from rice, wheat and corn by humans. J Nutr 128, 646–650.Google Scholar
Gillooly, M, Bothwell, TH, Charlton, RW, Torrance, JD, Bezwoda, WR, MacPhail, AP, Derman, DP, Novelli, L, Morrall, P & Mayet, F (1984) Factors affecting the absorption of iron from cereals. Br J Nutr 51, 37–46.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gregory, J, Lowe, S, Bates, CJ, Prentice, A, Jackson, LV, Smithers, G, Wenlock, R & Farron, M (2000) National Diet and Nutrition Survey: Young People Aged 4 to 18 Years. Volume 1: Report of the Diet and Nutrition Survey. London: The Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Gregory, JR, Collins, DL, Davies, PSW, Hughes, JM & Clarke, PC (1995) National Diet and Nutrition Survey: Children Aged 1½-4½; Years. Volume 1: Report of the Diet and Nutrition Survey. London: H.M. Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Gregory, R, Foster, K, Tyler, H & Wiseman, M (1990) The Dietary and Nutritional Survey of British Adults: Aged 16–64 Years. London: H.M. Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Hallberg, L, Brune, M, Erlandsson, M, Sandberg, AS & Rossander-Hulthén, L (1991) Calcium: effect of different amounts on nonheme- and heme-iron absorption in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 53, 112–119.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hallberg, L, Brune, M & Rossander, L (1986) Effect of ascorbic acid on iron absorption from different types of meals. Studies with ascorbic-acid-rich foods and synthetic ascorbic acid given in different amounts with different meals. Hum Nutr Appl Nutr 40, 97–113.Google ScholarPubMed
Hallberg, L & Hulthén, L (2000) Prediction of dietary iron absorption: an algorithm for calculating absorption and bioavailability of dietary iron. Am J Clin Nutr 71, 1147–1160.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hallberg, L, Hulthén, L, Bengtsson, C, Lapidus, L & Lindstedt, G (1995) Iron balance in menstruating women. Eur J Clin Nutr 49, 200–207.Google ScholarPubMed
Hallberg, L & Rossander, L (1982) Effect of different drinks on the absorption of non-heme iron from composite meals. Hum Nutr Appl Nutr 36, 116–123.Google ScholarPubMed
Hallberg, L, Rossander, L & Skanberg, AB (1987) Phytates and the inhibitory effect of bran on iron absorption in man. Am J Clin Nutr 45, 988–996.Google Scholar
Harvey, LJ, Armah, CN, Dainty, JR, Foxall, RJ, John, LD, Langford, NJ & Fairweather-Tait, SJ (2005) Impact of menstrual blood loss and diet on iron deficiency among women in the UK. Br J Nutr 94, 557–564.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Henderson, L, Gregory, J, Irving, K & Swan, G (2003) The National Diet and Nutrition Survey: Adults Aged 19 to 64 Years. London: The Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Hulthen, L, Lindstedt, G, Lundberg, PA & Hallberg, L (1998) Effect of a mild infection on serum ferritin concentration – clinical and epidemiological implications. Eur J Clin Nutr 52, 376–379.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hunt, JR (2002) Moving toward a plant-based diet: are iron and zinc at risk? Nutr Rev 60, 127–134.Google Scholar
Hunt, JR (2003) High-, but not low-bioavailability diets enable substantial control of women's iron absorption in relation to body iron stores, with minimal adaptation within several weeks. Am J Clin Nutr 78, 1168–1177.Google Scholar
Hunt, JR, Gallagher, SK & Johnson, LK (1994) Effect of ascorbic acid on apparent iron absorption by women with low iron stores. Am J Clin Nutr 59, 1381–1385.Google Scholar
Hunt, JR, Gallagher, SK, Johnson, LK & Lykken, GI (1995) High- versus low-meat diets: effects on zinc absorption, iron status, and calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, nitrogen, phosphorus, and zinc balance in postmenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr 62, 621–632.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hunt, JR & Roughead, ZK (1999) Nonheme-iron absorption, fecal ferritin excretion, and blood indexes of iron status in women consuming controlled lactoovovegetarian diets for 8 wk. Am J Clin Nutr 69, 944–952.Google Scholar
Hunt, JR & Roughead, ZK (2000) Adaptation of iron absorption in men consuming diets with high or low iron bioavailability. Am J Clin Nutr 71, 94–102.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hurrell, RF, Hurrell, RF, Reddy, MB, Burri, J & Cook, JD (2002) Phytate degradation determines the effect of industrial processing and home cooking on iron absorption from cereal-based foods. Br J Nutr 88, 117–123.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hurrell, RF, Juillerat, MA, Reddy, MB, Lynch, SR, Dassenko, SA & Cook, JD (1992) Soy protein, phytate, and iron absorption in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 56, 573–578.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hurrell, RF, Reddy, M & Cook, JD (1999) Inhibition of non-haem iron absorption in man by polyphenolic-containing beverages. Br J Nutr 81, 289–295.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hurrell, RF, Reddy, MB, Juillerat, MA & Cook, JD (2003) Degradation of phytic acid in cereal porridges improves iron absorption by human subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 77, 1213–1219.Google Scholar
Liu, JM, Hankinson, SE, Stampfer, MJ, Rifai, N, Willett, WC & Ma, J (2003) Body iron stores and their determinants in healthy postmenopausal US women. Am J Clin Nutr 78, 1160–1167.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lynch, SR, Beard, JL, Dassenko, SA & Cook, JD (1984) Iron absorption from legumes in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 40, 42–47.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lynch, SR, Skikne, BS & Cook, JD (1989) Food iron absorption in idiopathic hemochromatosis. Blood 74, 2187–2193.Google Scholar
Martinez-Torres, C & Layrisse, M (1971) Iron absorption from veal muscle. Am J Clin Nutr 24, 531–540.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mei, Z, Cogswell, ME, Parvanta, I, Lynch, S, Beard, JL, Stoltzfus, RJ & Grummer-Strawn, LM (2005) Hemoglobin and ferritin are currently the most efficient indicators of population response to iron interventions: an analysis of nine randomized controlled trials. J Nutr 135, 1974–1980.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Minihane, AM & Fairweather-Tait, SJ (1998) Effect of calcium supplementation on daily nonheme-iron absorption and long-term iron status. Am J Clin Nutr 68, 96–102.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Reddy, MB, Hurrell, RF & Cook, JD (2006) Meat consumption in a varied diet marginally influences nonheme iron absorption in normal individuals. J Nutr 136, 576–581.Google Scholar
Reddy, S & Sanders, TA (1990) Haematological studies on pre-menopausal Indian and Caucasian vegetarians compared with Caucasian omnivores. Br J Nutr 64, 331–338.Google Scholar
Roetto, A, Papanikolaou, G, Politou, M, Alberti, F, Girelli, D, Christakis, J, Loukopoulos, D & Camaschella, C (2003) Mutant antimicrobial peptide hepcidin is associated with severe juvenile hemochromatosis. Nat Genet 33, 21–22.Google Scholar
Roughead, ZK & Hunt, JR (2000) Adaptation in iron absorption: iron supplementation reduces nonheme-iron but not heme-iron absorption from food. Am J Clin Nutr 72, 982–989.Google Scholar
Roughead, ZK, Zito, CA & Hunt, JR (2005) Inhibitory effects of dietary calcium on the initial uptake and subsequent retention of heme and nonheme iron in humans: comparisons using an intestinal lavage method. Am J Clin Nutr 82, 589–597.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ruston, D, Henderson, L, Gregory, J, Bates, CJ, Prentice, A, Birch, M, Swan, G & Farron, M (2004) The National Diet and Nutrition Survey: Adults Aged 19 to 64 Years. Volume 4: Nutritional Status (Anthropometry and Blood Analytes), Blood Pressure and Physical Activity. London: The Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Sokoll, LJ & Dawson-Hughes, B (1992) Calcium supplementation and plasma ferritin concentrations in premenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr 56, 1045–1048.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thane, CW, Bates, CJ & Prentice, A (2003) Risk factors for low iron intake and poor iron status in a national sample of British young people aged 4–18 years. Public Health Nutr 6, 485–496.Google Scholar
Thane, CW, Walmsley, CM, Bates, CJ, Prentice, A & Cole, TJ (2000) Risk factors for poor iron status in British toddlers: further analysis of data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey of children aged 1·5–4·5 years. Public Health Nutr 3, 433–440.Google Scholar
Tidehag, P, Hallmans, G, Wing, K, Sjostrom, R, Agren, G, Lundin, E & Zhang, JX (1996) A comparison of iron absorption from single meals and daily diets using radioFe (55Fe, 59Fe). Br J Nutr 75, 281–289.Google ScholarPubMed
Walczyk, T, Davidsson, L, Rossander-Hulthen, L, Hallberg, L & Hurrell, RF (2003) No enhancing effect of vitamin A on iron absorption in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 77, 144–149.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wessling-Resnick, M (2000) Iron transport. Annu Rev Nutr 20, 129–151.Google Scholar
Worthington-Roberts, BS, Breskin, MW & Monsen, ER (1988) Iron status of premenopausal women in a university community and its relationship to habitual dietary sources of protein. Am J Clin Nutr 47, 275–279.CrossRefGoogle Scholar