Ferrous sulfate, electrolytic iron, and hydrogen-reduced iron, fortified into wheat-based snacks, significantly improved iron status. On the basis of the change in body iron stores during the 35-wk study, the relative efficacy of the electrolytic and hydrogen-reduced iron compared with ferrous sulfate was 77% and 49%, respectively.

Background/Objectives: Ferrous fumarate is recommended for the fortification of complementary foods based on similar iron absorption to ferrous sulfate in adults. Two recent studies in young children have reported that it is only 30% as well absorbed as ferrous sulfate. The objective of this study was to compare iron absorption from ferrous fumarate and ferrous sulfate in infants, young children and mothers. Subjects/Methods: Non-anemic Mexican infants (6-24 months), young children (2-5 years) and adult women were randomly assigned to receive either 4 mg Fe (women) or 2.5 mg Fe (infants and young children) as either [ 57 Fe]-ferrous fumarate or [ 58 Fe]-ferrous sulfate added to a sweetened drink based on degermed maize flour and milk powder. Iron absorption was calculated based on incorporation of isotopes into erythrocytes after 14days. Results: Within each population group, no significant differences (P40.05) in iron absorption were found between ferrous fumarate and ferrous sulfate. Mean iron absorption from ferrous fumarate vs ferrous sulfate was 17.5 vs 20.5% in women (relative bioavailability (RBV) ¼ 86), 7.0 vs 7.2% in infants (RBV ¼ 97) and 6.3 vs 5.9% in young children (RBV ¼ 106). Conclusions: Ferrous fumarate is as well absorbed as ferrous sulfate in non-anemic, iron sufficient infants and young children, and can be recommended as a useful fortification compound for complementary foods designed to prevent iron deficiency. Further studies are needed to clarify its usefulness in foods designed to treat iron deficiency.

The influence of a high-Na, high-protein (calciuric) diet on Ca and bone metabolism was investigated in postmenopausal women (aged 50 -67 years) who were stratified by vitamin D receptor (VDR) genotype. In a crossover trial, twenty-four women were randomly assigned to a diet high in protein (90 g/d) and Na (180 mmol/d) or a diet adequate in protein (70 g/d) and low in Na (65 mmol/d) for 4 weeks, followed by crossover to the alternative dietary regimen for a further 4 weeks. Dietary Ca intake was maintained at usual intakes (about 20 mmol (800 mg)/d). Urinary Na, K, Ca, N and type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide (NTx; a marker of bone resorption), plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D 3 ), 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ), osteocalcin and bonespecific alkaline phosphatase (B-Alkphase) were measured in 24 h urine samples and fasting blood samples collected at the end of each dietary period. The calciuric diet significantly (P,0·05) increased mean urinary Na, N, K, Ca and NTx (by 19 %) compared with the basal diet, but had no effect on circulating 25(OH)D 3 , 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 , PTH, osteocalcin or B-Alkphase in the total group (n 24). There were no differences in serum markers or urinary minerals between the basal and calciuric diet in either VDR genotype groups. While the calciuric diet significantly increased urinary NTx (by 25·6 %, P, 0·01) in the f þ VDR group (n 10; carrying one or more ( f ) Fok I alleles), it had no effect in the f 2 VDR group (n 14; not carrying any Fok I alleles). It is concluded that the Na-and protein-induced urinary Ca loss is compensated for by increased bone resorption and that this response may be influenced by VDR genotype.