THE EFFECT OF BEEF AND HEME IRON ON ZINC ABSORPTION IN CHILDREN

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Objectives of Research proposal: (1) To quantify the effect of heme iron on zinc absorption, and to demonstrate whether heme iron absorption is affected by zinc intake, (2) To assess the effect of consumption of beef protein on non-heme iron and inorganic zinc absorption from the diet. Description of Research Project: Two protocols will be carried out. Forty-eight children aged between 4 and 8 years will be randomized to receive a meal containing one of three doses of intrinsically labeled heme iron and one of two doses of zinc. Absorption of the heme iron and the zinc will be measured using established stable isotope methods, to test the hypotheses that heme iron does not interfere with zinc absorption, and that zinc does not interfere with heme iron absorption. In a second protocol, 32 children aged 4-8 years will be randomized to receive a meal based on beef protein or soy protein. Bread given with the meal with be labeled with iron and zinc stable isotopes. Iron and zinc absorption will be measured using established stable isotope methods to test the hypothesis that beef protein enhances non-heme iron and inorganic zinc absorption from the diet, when compared to soy protein.