Anaemia is associated with poor cognitive and motor development in children, and work capacity in adults, influencing country economic development. Iron deficiency is responsible for about half of anaemia cases and leads to impaired immune function. Many foods contain small amounts of iron but only a small fraction of the iron is absorbed and utilized by the body. Absorption and utilisation are influenced by the chemical form of iron and by the meal composition.?
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Iron Bioavailability
IAEA Publications
Literature
Factsheets and Brochures
The erythrocyte iron incorporation method is the most frequently used technique to assess iron bioavailability, using mainly 57Fe and 58Fe to label a test meal. It measures the fraction of iron absorbed and utilised from different foods or meals. ?
Stable isotope techniques to assess iron bioavailability in humans can aid the design of effective interventions such as food fortification, biofortification and dietary diversification.?
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