Re-exploration of dietary iodine intake in Chinese adult males using a modified iodine balance study.

There is still controversy about optimal dietary iodine intake as the Universal Salt Iodization policy enforcement in China. A modified iodine balance study was thus conducted to explore the suitable iodine intake in Chinese adult males using the iodine overflow hypothesis. In this study, thirty-eight apparently healthy males (19·1 (sd 0·6) years) were recruited and provided with designed diets. After the 14-d iodine depletion, daily iodine intake gradually increased in the 30-d iodine supplementation, consisting of six stages and each of 5 d. All foods and excreta (urine, faeces) were collected to examine daily iodine intake, iodine excretion and the changes of iodine increment in relation to those values at stage 1. The dose-response associations of iodine intake increment with excretion increment were fitted by the mixed effects models, as well as with retention increment. Daily iodine intake and excretion were 16·3 and 54·3 µg/d at stage 1, and iodine intake increment increased from 11·2 µg/d at stage 2 to 118·0 µg/d at stage 6, while excretion increment elevated from 21·5 to 95·0 µg/d. A zero iodine balance was dynamically achieved as 48·0 µg/d of iodine intake. The estimated average requirement and recommended nutrient intake were severally 48·0 and 67·2 µg/d, which could be corresponded to a daily iodine intake of 0·74 and 1·04 µg/kg per d. The results of our study indicate that roughly half of current iodine intakes recommendation could be enough in Chinese adult males, which would be beneficial for the revision of dietary reference intakes.

Vitamin D Nutritional Status of Chinese Pregnant Women, Comparing the Chinese National Nutrition Surveillance (CNHS) 2015-2017 with CNHS 2010-2012.

Optimal vitamin D (vitD) status is beneficial for both pregnant women and their newborns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D status of Chinese pregnant women in the latest China Nutrition and Health Surveillance (CNHS) 2015-2017, analyze the risk factors of vitamin D deficiency (VDD), and compare them with those in CNHS 2010-2012. Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured by ELISA method. City type, district, latitude, location, age, vitamin D supplements intake, education, marital status, annual family income, etc., were recorded. The median 25(OH)D concentration was 13.02 (10.17-17.01) ng/mL in 2015-2017, and 15.48 (11.89-20.09) ng/mL in 2010-2012. The vitamin D sufficient rate was only 12.57% in 2015-2017, comparing to 25.17% in 2010-2012. The risk factors of vitamin D inadequacy (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL) in 2015-2017 were not exactly consistent with that in 2010-2012. The risk factors included season of spring (p < 0.0001) and winter (p < 0.001), subtropical (p < 0.001), median (p < 0.0001) and warm temperate zones (p < 0.0001), the western (p = 0.027) and the central areas (p = 0.041), while vitD supplements intake (p = 0.021) was a protective factor in pregnant women. In conclusion, vitD inadequacy is very common among Chinese pregnant women. We encourage pregnant women to take more effective sunlight and proper vitD supplements, especially for those from the subtropical, warm and medium temperate zones, the western and the central, and in the seasons of spring and winter.

Physiologic requirement for iron in pregnant women, assessed using the stable isotope tracer technique.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the physiologic requirement for iron, the core index for the formulation of a dietary reference intake (DRI), is of great importance for the health of a pregnant woman and her fetus, and can help a mother accurately plan her iron supplementation. However, direct measurements of the physiologic requirement for iron during pregnancy are still lacking. METHOD: Eleven women of reproductive age from Hebei Province, China, who planned to become pregnant in the near future, were enrolled between January and March 2015 and included in the final analysis. Subjects participated in a 2-week metabolic trial in which they consumed 50 mg of the stable isotope 58Fe, and were then followed for ~ 2 years. The abundance of 58Fe and the total iron concentration in the circulation were measured using Multi-collector Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, respectively. The physiologic requirement for iron during pregnancy was then calculated by the formula derived from our previously published work. RESULTS: The mean physiologic requirement for iron in the 11 subjects, across their entire pregnancies, was 3.05 mg.d- 1 in total and 44.0 µg.kg- 1.d- 1 after adjustment for body mass. The physiologic requirements for iron in the first, second, and third trimesters were 2.04 mg.d- 1, 3.26 mg.d- 1, and 4.13 mg.d- 1, respectively. When adjusted for body mass, the physiologic requirements for iron in different trimesters were 32.3 µg.kg- 1.d- 1, 46.9 µg.kg- 1.d- 1, and 55.7 µg.kg- 1.d- 1, respectively. CONCLUSION: We preliminarily explored the physiologic requirement for iron in pregnant women. The data demonstrated that pregnant women needed about twice iron than non-pregnant women. This research may be helpful for the design of future studies and the modification of iron DRIs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR, ChiCTR-OCH-14004302. Registered 14 February 2014, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=5267.

Vitamin D Nutritional Status and its Related Factors for Chinese Children and Adolescents in 2010-2012.

Vitamin D plays a critical role in calcium and phosphate metabolism and helps maintain skeletal integrity in childhood, yet vitamin D status in Chinese children and adolescents is not well documented. The aim of this study was to assess the vitamin D status and analyze the risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in Chinese children and adolescents aged 6-17 years. Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured with a radioimmunoassay kit in 15,000 children and adolescent participants in the Chinese national nutrition and health survey (CNNHS) 2010-2012. Age, gender, region type, ethnicity, outdoor time, and vitamin D supplementation were recorded in unified design questionnaires. The season was recorded by the date of blood taken; location was divided into north and south by China's Qinling Mountains and Huaihe River; and ambient ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation level was classified according to the corresponding dose of each participant living area from National Aeronautics and Space Administration data. 14,473 participants from the cross-sectional study of CNNHS 2010-2012 were included in this study. The median serum 25(OH)D concentration was 48.2 (35.4-63.4) nmol/L, and the concentration for males was 50.0 (36.5-65.7) nmol/L, which was statistically higher than that of females (46.7 (34.4-60.9) nmol/L) (P < 0.001). The general prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 53.2%; 50.0% for males and 56.5% for females at the cut-off 50 nmol/L. According to the results of the log-binomial regression analysis, vitamin D deficiency in Chinese children and adolescents was specifically related to female gender (P < 0.0001), to ages 12-14 years (P < 0.0001) and 15-17 years (P < 0.0001), living in large cities (P < 0.0001) or ordinary rural areas (P < 0.0001), low ambient UVB levels (P < 0.0001) and medium ambient UVB levels (P < 0.0001), spring (P < 0.0001), autumn (P < 0.0001) and winter seasons (P < 0.0001). The data showed that vitamin D deficiency was very common among children and adolescents aged 6-17 years in China. Effective sun exposure should be encouraged in both genders aged 6-17 years, dietary vitamin D and vitamin D supplements are also recommended, especially in the seasons of spring and winter.

Vitamin D status among the elderly Chinese population: a cross-sectional analysis of the 2010-2013 China national nutrition and health survey (CNNHS).

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D inadequacy is common among the elderly, especially within the Asian population. The vitamin D status among healthy adults in the elderly Chinese population was evaluated. METHODS: A total of 6014 healthy adults aged 60 years or older (2948 men, 3066 women) participated in this descriptive cross-sectional analysis. Possible predictors of vitamin D inadequacy were evaluated via multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were 61.0 nmol/l (interquartile range (IQR) 44.3-80.6, range 5.1-154.5) for men and 53.7 nmol/l (IQR 38.8-71.0, range 6.0-190.0) for women, with 34.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) 32.4-35.8) of men and 44.0% (95% CI 42.2-45.8) of women presenting vitamin D inadequacy (25(OH)D <50 nmol/l). According to the multivariate logistic regression analyses, vitamin D inadequacy was positively correlated with female gender (P <0.0001), underweight (P = 0.0259), the spring season (P <0.0001), low ambient UVB levels (P <0.0001) and living in large cities (P = 0.0026). For men, vitamin D inadequacy was positively correlated with the spring season (P = 0.0015), low ambient UVB levels (P <0.0001) and living in large cities (P = 0.0022); for women, vitamin D inadequacy was positively correlated with the spring season (P = 0.0005) and low ambient UVB levels (P <.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D inadequacy is prevalent among the elderly population in China. Because residing in regions with low ambient UVB levels increases the risk of vitamin D inadequacy both for men and women, vitamin D supplementation and sensible sun exposure should be encouraged, especially during the cooler seasons. Further studies are required to determine the optimal vitamin D intake and sun exposure levels to maintain sufficient vitamin D levels in the elderly Chinese population.

Vitamin D deficiency prevalence and risk factors among pregnant Chinese women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate vitamin D deficiency prevalence and risk factors among pregnant Chinese women. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: China National Nutrition and Health Survey (CNNHS) 2010-2013. SUBJECTS: A total of 1985 healthy pregnant women participated. Possible predictors of vitamin D deficiency were evaluated via multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 15·5 (interquartile range 11·9-20·0, range 3·0-51·5) ng/ml, with 74·9 (95 % CI 73·0, 76·7) % of participants being vitamin D deficient (25-hydroxyvitamin D <20 ng/ml). According to the multivariate logistic regression analyses, vitamin D deficiency was positively correlated with Hui ethnicity (P=0·016), lack of vitamin D supplement use (P=0·021) and low ambient UVB level (P<0·001). In the autumn months, vitamin D deficiency was related to Hui ethnicity (P=0·012) and low ambient UVB level (P<0·001). In the winter months, vitamin D deficiency was correlated with younger age (P=0·050), later gestational age (P=0·035), higher pre-pregnancy BMI (P=0·019), low ambient UVB level (P<0·001) and lack of vitamin D supplement use (P=0·007). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among pregnant Chinese women. Residing in areas with low ambient UVB levels increases the risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially for women experiencing advanced stages of gestation, for younger pregnant women and for women of Hui ethnicity; therefore, vitamin D supplementation and sensible sun exposure should be encouraged, especially in the winter months. Further studies must determine optimal vitamin D intake and sun exposure levels for maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels in pregnant Chinese women.

Association of Vitamin A Status with Overnutrition in Children and Adolescents.

This study was conducted to examine the possible association between vitamin A status and overnutrition in Chinese urban children and adolescents. Weight, height and serum retinol were assessed in total 3457 children (7-9.9 years of age) and adolescents (10-17 years of age), using urban region data from the China National Nutrition and Health Survey 2010-2013 (CHNNS2010-2013) which is a nationally representative cross-sectional study. Prevalence of low serum concentration of retinol was 26.8% and 12.24% for overweight. Retinol inadequacy was significantly higher in children (32.13%) than in adolescents (24.48%). The average of retinol was significantly higher in overnutrified 42.32 µg/dL versus non-overnutrified 41.05 µg/dL (p = 0.00) children and adolescents. Overnutrified children and adolescents presented a greater chance of an increase in serum concentration of retinol (odds ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 1.10-1.63, and 1.48, 95% confidence interval (1.26-1.74) when compared with non-overnutrified children. An important correspondence between vitamin A deficiency and overnutrition was found. Non-overnutrified children and adolescents may have a greater chance of presenting low concentrations of retinol. Future public health strategies focused on the overnutrified population and vitamin A supplements should consider the effect of retinol on urban children and adolescents in China.

Effect of NaFeEDTA-fortified soy sauce on zinc absorption in children.

NaFeEDTA has been applied in many foods as an iron fortificant and is used to prevent iron deficiency in Fe-depleted populations. In China, soy sauce is fortified with NaFeEDTA to control iron deficiency. However, it is unclear whether Fe-fortified soy sauce affects zinc absorption. To investigate whether NaFeEDTA-fortified soy sauce affects zinc absorption in children, sixty children were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned to three groups (10 male children and 10 female children in each group). All children received daily 3 mg of (67)Zn and 1.2 mg of dysprosium orally, while the children in the three groups were supplemented with NaFeEDTA-fortified soy sauce (6 mg Fe, NaFeEDTA group), FeSO4-fortified soy sauce (6 mg Fe, FeSO4 group), and no iron-fortified soy sauce (control group), respectively. Fecal samples were collected during the experimental period and analyzed for the Zn content, (67)Zn isotope ratio and dysprosium content. The Fe intake from NaFeEDTA-fortified and FeSO4-fortified groups was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.0001). The daily total Zn intake was not significantly different among the three groups. There were no significant differences in fractional Zn absorption (FZA) (P = 0.3895), dysprosium recovery (P = 0.7498) and Zn absorption (P = 0.5940) among the three groups. Therefore, NaFeEDTA-fortified soy sauce does not affect Zn bioavailability in children.

Mixture of ferric sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (NaFeEDTA) and ferrous sulfate: an effective iron fortificant for complementary foods for young Chinese children.

BACKGROUND: Ferric sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (NaFeEDTA) enhances iron absorption in the presence of phytate. However, the amount of NaFeEDTA that would have to be added to a complementary food to provide the necessary intake of iron for an infant or young child if NaFeEDTA were the sole iron fortificant exceeds the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of EDTA for this age group. EDTA increases iron absorption at a molar ratio EDTA:iron of less than 1:1. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether iron absorption is enhanced with a mixture offerrous sulfate (FeSO4) and NaFeEDTA. METHODS: Two studies with a crossover design were conducted in separate groups of 14 and 15 children aged 24 to 31 months. A complementary food consisting of millet porridge with cabbage, tofu, and pork-filled wheat flour dumplings was fortified with 2 mg iron as either FeSO4 or NaFeEDTA (study 1) or 4 mg iron as FeSO4 or a mixture of 2 mg each of FeSO4 and NaFeEDTA (study 2). Iron absorption was determined based on erythrocyte incorporation of stable iron isotopes. RESULTS: In study 1, the geometric mean (± SD) iron absorption was 8.0% (3.1, 20.8) and 9.2% (3.1, 27.0) from food fortified with FeSO4 and NaFeEDTA, respectively. In study 2, iron absorption was significantly higher from food fortified with 4 mg iron as 1:1 mixture of FeSO4/NaFeEDTA than from food fortified with FeSO4; the geometric mean iron absorption was 6.4% (3.0, 13.5) and 4.1% (1.9, 8.9), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The enhancing effect of EDTA on iron absorption is less strong in composite meals containing enhancers; nevertheless, the equal mixture of FeSO4 and NaFeEDTA significantly enhanced iron absorption and can be a strategy to ensure adequate iron absorption from phytate-containing complementary foods.

[Nutritional components and sub-chronic toxicity of genetically modified rice expressing human lactoferrin].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the nutritional components of genetically modified rice expressing human lactoferrin (hLf) with its parental rice, and to observe the sub-chronic toxicity of hLf rice. METHODS: The nutritional components of hLf rice and its parental rice were determined by the National Standard Methods. Eighty weanling Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups based on their gender and body weight: group A (hLf rice high-dose group with 71.45% rice), group B (hLf rice medium-dose group with 35. 725% rice), group C (parental rice group with 71.01% rice) and group D (AIN-93G diet group), and the latter two groups were used as the control. Body weight, dietary intake, blood routine test, blood biochemical examination, organ coefficient, bone density and the pathology of organs were investigated at the end of a 90-day feeding experiment. RESULTS: Except for human lactoferrin and Fe, there was no difference of main nutritional components, minerals and vitamins between groups. The differences of some indicators of blood routine (WBC, HGB, RBC and MCH), blood biochemistry (AST and GLU), organ coefficient and bone density between group A and B (hLf rice) with group C (parental rice) or group D (AIN-93G) were significant, while no difference of other indicators. CONCLUSION: Although some differences were observed, all indicators were still in the normal reference range. Therefore, there was no sign of toxic and adverse effects for hLf rice on rats.

[Effect of iron supplementation on iron deficiency anemia of childbearing age women in Shanghai].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of iron supplementation on iron deficiency anemia of childbearing age women, and to find out the optimal amount of iron intake for maintaining their health. METHODS: 74 childbearing age women aged 21 to 45 years with anemia were randomly assigned to intervention or control group by hemoglobin content, and a iron nutrition packet (mainly composed of ferric pyrophosphate and ferrous fumarate, containing iron 8 mg) or a placebo packet was given daily for six months, respectively. Hemoglobin, serum ferritin, food frequency and 24h dietary recall survey were performed before intervention and three and six months after intervention. RESULTS: Hemoglobin and serum ferritin of the intervention group were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that in control group after six months. The number of women with hemoglobin > or = 120 g/L in intervention and control group was 15 (44.1%) and 5 (14.3%), respectively (P < 0.01). The number of women with serum ferritin > or = 15 micro g/L in intervention and control group was 11 (34.4%) and 4 (12.5%), respectively (P < 0.05). The average dietary iron intake was 14.0 mg/d, mainly from plant foods. There was a positive correlation of total iron intake (dietary iron plus iron supplements) with hemoglobin (r = 0.57, P < 0.01). More menstrual blood and dietary fiber were the risk factors for iron deficiency anemia (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The anemic status in childbearing age women could be improved by providing iron 8 mg daily for six months consecutively. Daily dietary intake of iron 23.2 mg can meet the requirement of maintaining normal iron storage for childbearing age women.

[Nutrition and health status of pregnant women in 8 provinces in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate nutrition and health status of pregnant women in China. METHODS: 16 counties cities in 8 Provinces in China were selected to investigate nutrition and health information for pregnant women. RESULTS: The averaged age of pregnant women was 27.1 years old, and 6.3 percent of pregnant women are over 35 years old. The proportion rates of pregnant women who consumed supplements before or during pregnance accounted for 81.8% in city and 57.8% in rural (P < 0.01). Anaemia prevalence was 14% with significant difference between urban and rural, P < 0.01. The rate of sural spasm during pregnancy was 39.3%. Low daily intakes of protein, retinol equivalence, calcium, iron were the major nutritional problem. Calcium deficiency was the leading problem. Pregnant women got health improvement kowlege mainly from relatives, friends, hospitals or medical centers, books and televisions, furthermore, internet was a main media for city women. CONCLUSION: Low daily intakes of protein and micronutrients were major problems for pregnant women.

[Research on the evaluation methods for antioxidant capacity of several bioactive substances in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To study the evaluation methods for antioxidant capacity of bioactive substance in vitro, and to apply the methods which is established in physicochemical environment in order to give the preliminary assessment of test subjects. METHODS: The combined application of ABTS and FRAP methods in the assessments, using the UV-VIS spectrophotometer and the autoanalyzer respectively test the antioxidant capacity of quercetin, curcumin, DL-alpha-tocopherol and procyanidine at 734 nm in ABTS and at 595 nm in FRAP. RESULTS: ABTS: The TEAC values of quercetin and curcumin were about 2.02 and 0.50. 1 g DL-alpha-tocopherol and anthocyanins were equivalent to 2.06 mmol, 2.897 mmol of Trolox in scavenging free radicals capacity. FRAP: Used 1.0 mmol/L FeSO4 as the reference standard, quercetin, curcumin and Trolox equivalent molar about 5.73, 1.18 and 2.09. DL-alpha-tocopherol, antioxidant activity of proanthocyanidins were 207.7mg and 156.36 mg. CONCLUSION: It was supported support that combined ABTS and FRAP methods, because of their conveniently, and their reliable results, especially in appropriately be used as the evaluation methods for antioxidant capacity of bioactive substance in vitro.

Association of estrogen receptor-alpha gene Pvull polymorphisms with the effect of calcium supplementation on skeletal development in Chinese pubertal girls.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha) PvuII polymorphisms with the effect of calcium supplementation on bone development in Chinese pubertal girls, and to study the importance of calcium supplementation by maximizing the peak bone mass at their pubertal stage for bone development and osteoporosis prevention and the role of estrogen in regulating bone mass. METHODS: Ninety-four pubertal girls were recruited in the study and divided into two groups and three sub-groups according to the ER-alpha PvuII polymorphisms. One year before and after calcium supplementation, bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by DEXA, while BGP, BAP, TRACP5b, and 25-OH-VitD(3), as well as estrogen were detected by ELISA. Analysis of covariance was used to examine the effect of ER-alpha polymorphisms on bone development. RESULTS: The absolute increase and percentage change of BGP were significantly higher in the supplemented group than in the control group (P<0.05). In the intervened group, The increase and percentage change of the total body and radio distal 1/3 BMD were higher in PP than in PP genotype (P<0.05), and the increase of BAP in Pp was also higher than PP in the same group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: PP genotype shows a better response to calcium supplementation than the other PvuII polymorphisms.

[Relationship between estrogen receptor gene Px haplotype and the effect of calcium and soy isoflavone supplementation on bone mineral density of Chinese postmenopausal women].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between estrogen receptor gene Px haplotype and the effect of calcium and soy isoflavone supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) of Chinese postmenopausal women. METHODS: It was a randomly controlling test for 12 months. The Pvu II and Xba I polymorphisms of ER-alpha gene were detected by using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) in 691 Chinese postmenopausal women, aged 45-65 years. In 497 carriers of definitive Pvu II-Xba I haplotype, 93 subjects were chosen randomly. BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXEA). According to BMD T score in any skeleton site of 81 subjects at baseline, 29 subjects with T > or = -1.5 were grouped into observation group, and 52 subjects with T < -1.5 were randomly assigned into two intervention groups and received either a 100 mg soy isoflavone and 440 mg Ca and 100 IU VD supplement/d (n = 26) or 440 mg Ca and 100 IU VD supplement/d (n = 26). BMD of the whole body, lumber (L2-L4), and hip were measured at baseline and after 12 months. RESULTS: After one year fellow-up, the BMD at L2-L4, femur neck site and whole body were significantly decreased as compared with those of baseline (P < 0.05, change percent of BMD as follows: -3.31%, -3.09%, -1.88%) in observation group, and the whole body BMD was significantly lower at 12 month than that at baseline in subjects with Px haplotype (percent change was -2.44%, P < 0.05), but no difference was found in subjects without Px haplotype. Whole body and femur neck BMD were significantly decreased in both Ca group and Ca + soy isoflavone group, but no significant difference of change percent between two groups. There were no significant changes in L2-L4 and trochanter BMD irrespective of treatment. ER-alpha Px haplotype had no effect on the changes in BMD in both Ca group and Ca + soy isoflavone group. CONCLUSION: The rate of bone loss in Chinese postmenopausal women seems to haverelation to ER Px haplotype. Calcium supplementation for 1 year might lower the bone loss rate, but soy isoflavone supplementation for 1 year had notshowu no effects. The effect of supplementation had no relationship with ER Px haplotype.

NaFeEDTA fortified soy sauce showed higher iron absorption rate in Chinese females.

OBJECTIVE: NaFeEDTA was considered as a promising iron fortificant for controlling iron deficiency anemia. Soy sauce is a suitable food carrier for iron fortification and is a popular condiment in China. Iron absorption rates of NaFeEDTA and FeSO4 were observed and compared in adult female subjects. METHODS: The stable isotope tracer method was used in Chinese females consuming a typical Chinese diet. Ten healthy young Chinese women were selected as subjects in the 15-day study. A plant-based diet was used based on the dietary pattern of adult women in the 1992 National Nutrition Survey. Six milligram of 54Fe in 54FeSO4 soy sauce and 3 mg 58Fe in Na58FeEDTA soy sauce were given to the same subjects in two days. Food samples and fecal samples were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Iron absorption rates of NaFeEDTA and FeSO4 were 10.51% +/- 2.83 and 4.73% +/- 2.15 respectively. The 58Fe (NaFeEDTA) absorption was significantly higher than that of 54Fe (FeSO4) (P < 0.01). The iron absorption rate from NaFeEDTA was 1.2 times higher than that from FeSO4 in Chinese adult women consuming a typical Chinese diet. CONCLUSION: The higher absorption rate of NaFeEDTA suggested that NaFeEDTA would be a better iron fortificant used in soy sauce for the controlling of iron deficiency anemia in China.

Studies on zinc bioavailability from a representative diet in Chinese urban women of childbearing age using a double label stable isotope technique.

The objectives of the study were to determine dietary zinc bioavailability by using a double label stable isotope technique, and to identify the zinc content and levels of some possible factors which may affect zinc utilization in a typical representative Chinese urban diet. Twenty urban women of childbearing age were fed a diet extrinsically labeled with 67Zn and received intravenous (i.v.) injections of 70Zn. Fecal monitoring, urine monitoring and chemical balance technique were used simultaneously for comparisons. Isotopic enrichment in feces and urine after oral and i.v. administration of stable zinc isotopes was measured to determine the ways of zinc absorption. The mean (+/-SD) zinc intake from the representative Chinese diet was 10.22+/-0.80 mg/day, which is lower than the reference nutrient intake (RNI) level (11.5 mg/day), and mainly came from the subsidiary foods (63%). The mean dietary Fe/Zn weight was 1.1+/-0.1. The phytate/zinc molar ratio in the diet was about 3:1. The phytic acidxCa/zinc molar ratio in the diet was about 45:1. The apparent and true absorption rates of 67Zn were 36.2+/-9.7% and 38.2+/-10.1%, respectively, which were higher than the apparent absorption determined by balance technique (29.7+/-10.6%). The mean fractional absorption (FA) determined in urine was 35.7+/-13.3. In conclusion, the subsidiary food is the main source of dietary zinc in this typical diet. The extrinsic labeling technique by use of stable isotopes was more reliable and accurate to determine zinc absorption. Moreover, the double isotopic tracer ratio (DITR) technique applied to urine samples was a more practical and valuable way to evaluate zinc absorption than other methods. It can be speculated that iron and phytic acid might not be the main inhibitors in the representative Chinese diet.

Studies on the effectiveness of NaFeEDTA-fortified soy sauce in controlling iron deficiency: a population-based intervention trial.

The objective of this research was to study the effectiveness of NaFeEDTA-fortified soy sauce for controlling iron deficiency in a high-risk population. This was an 18-month, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial in 14,000 residents aged three years or older in Bijie City, Guizhou Province, China, using sodium-iron ethylene diamine tetraacetate (NaFeEDTA)-fortified soy sauce (29.6 mg Fe/100 ml). The study data included measurements of food consumption, hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and serum retinol. The results showed that the diet consisted primarily of cereals, fruits, and vegetables, with very little meat. Food consumption remained unchanged during the study period and was similar in the fortified and control groups. The average daily soy sauce consumption of the group consuming the fortified product was 16.4 ml per person, which provided 4.9 mg of iron from NaFeEDTA. At the end of the trial, all age and sex subgroups receiving NaFeEDTA had significantly higher hemoglobin levels, a lower prevalence of anemia, and higher plasma ferritin levels than the controls. The effects became statistically significant after six months of intervention and were maintained throughout the study period. We conclude that NaFeEDTA-fortified soy sauce was highly effective in controlling iron deficiency and reducing the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in men, women, and children. NaFeEDTA-fortified soy sauce is affordable and was well accepted by the study population.

[Effects of selenium-enriched garlic on blood lipids and lipid peroxidation in experimental hyperlipidemic rats].

The modulating effects of selenium-enriched garlic on lipid metabolism disorder and lipid peroxidation were studied in hyperlipidemic rats induced by high fat diet. Adult male and female Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: (A) normal control; (B) high fat diet (HFD) control; (C) HFD + selenite; (D) HFD + selenium-enriched garlic; (E) HFD + common garlic; (F) HFD + common garlic + selenite. The selenium content of diets in groups A, B and E was 0.08 mg/kg diet, while that of the other 3 groups was 2.7 mg/kg diet. At the end of the experimental period (12 weeks), blood and liver were collected for biochemical measurements and for histopathological examination of liver. The results showed that the serum concentrations of TC, TG and LDL-C in groups C, D and F were significantly lower and HDL-C higher than group B. Female rats were more sensitive to HFD exposure than male rats. The peroxidative status of all four experimental groups was significant inhibited as shown by the lower lipid peroxide (MDA) in liver and higher activities of GPX in erythrocytes and liver and SOD in plasma. Selenium contents in liver and kidney of male rats in groups D and F were higher than group C. Significant accumulation of selenium in erythrocytes was observed in groups D and F. The liver of all four experimental groups revealed ameliorated fatty liver induced by HFD. The amelioration of group D was more prominent than other three experimental groups. The results suggested that selenium-enriched garlic is superior to selenite or common garlic in decreasing the blood lipid level and peroxidative status and slightly better than combined common garlic and selenite.