Iron Absorption From Iron-enriched Aspergillus Oryzae

In a double-blinded cross-over design, 17 research participants were randomly given one of three iron-treatments : ferrous sulfate (10mg), AspironTM (10mg), and AspironTM (20mg). Each iron treatment was given with a test meal consisting of cabbage, green peas, green beans, soy sauce, peanut oil, 40 g baby carrots, steamed rice, and orange juice. Each subject consumed a meal with one of the three iron supplements in a random order and all participants consumed the three supplements 2 weeks in between each treatment. Prior to consuming the test meal with iron supplement for each treatment, blood was collected for baseline serum iron measuremt. Following consumption of the meal with iron, subsequent blood draws were taken every 30 minutes over the time period of 4 hours to assess the incease in serum iron. Ferritin, hepcidin, iron , and c-reactive protein concentrations were measured in the serum at baselime. After two weeks other treatments were administered to each participant. The serum iron response curves for each treatment were constructed and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated with the change of serum iron from baseline.

Inclusion criteria

• Non-pregnant
• Non-lactating
• Non-smoker
• Not taking medications
• Not taking dietary supplements (vitamins or minerals)
• No history of gastrointestinal conditions

Exclusion criteria

• Any history of gastrointestinal conditions
• On medications that interfere with iron absorption
• Unwilling to stop taking dietary supplements (vitamins or minerals)
• Pregnant
• Lactating
• Smoker