Control of iron deficiency

A total of 19 separate iron absorption studies were performed during this report period using 181 volunteer subjects. By performing multiple tests on each subject, a total of 724 separate measurements were obtained. A detailed description of each study is provided in Appendix A. Study topics included: the relationship between the absorption of heme iron and the absorption of nonheme iron; the effect of cereal meal on iron absorption; the feasibility of using vitamin C to increase iron bioavailability; and the effects of subjects" iron status on iron absorption. Although these studies were generally exploratory in nature, they represent the first real attempt to utilize the findings of isolated iron absorption studies conducted during previous years in pilot fortification studies. The work performed under this contract has been disseminated through formal presentations at national and international meetings, through informal exchange among investigators visiting the research laboratory, and through reciprocal visits by contractor investigators.