Abstract

Objective: The objective was to predict the bioavailability of iron in children aged 4- to 6- years from Chinese traditional diets consumed commonly in Shandong rural region on the basis of the contents of nutritional factors known to promote or inhibit food iron absorption. Materials and methods: Iron absorption measurement from Chinese traditional diets was made in 10 subjects by using iron-stable isotope 57Fe, as tracer to label FeSO4. 57Fe and Dy were added to a biscuit, and administered orally 3 times a day for 2 days. The diet and feces samples were collected for 10 consecutive days after the intake of 57Fe. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) and thermal ionization mass spectrometers (TIMS) were used for the determination of iron, calcium and stable iron isotope. The daily intake of ascorbic acid, fat, phytic acid and fiber was determined by biochemical analysis. Results: The absorption of iron was 6.06 ± 2.24%, much lower than the 10% reported in the West, which was adopted by Chinese authority to revise Chinese Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDAs) in 1988. The daily intake of iron was 10.29 mg, which was 85.8% of Chinese “Reference Nutrient Intakes (RNIs)” in 1998. The intakes of protein and ascorbic acid were only 56.70 and 19.00% of RNIs, respectively. Conclusion: Under the actual dietary pattern of Shandong rural region, the iron uptake of children is low, due to poor iron absorption and the insufficient daily iron intake.

Author Details

Authors

• X. Cui¹
• J. Sun¹
• X.Y. Ling²
• C.F. Zhao²
• Z.J. Liu¹
• G.F. Xu²

Departments

• ¹ Institute of Chemistry and Bacteria Detection,
• ² Institute of Food and Nutrition, College of Public Health, West Campus of Shandong University, Jinan, PR China

Address

Prof. X. Cui
Institute of Chemistry and Bacteria Detection
College of Public Health
West Campus of Shandong University
Jinan 250012, PR China
Email: [email protected]

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