Zinc absorption from micronutrient powder is low but is not affected by iron in Kenyan infants

Fabian Esamai, Edward Liechty, Justus Ikemeri, Jamie Westcott, Jennifer Kemp, Diana Culbertson, Leland V Miller, K Michael Hambidge, Nancy F Krebs, Fabian Esamai, Edward Liechty, Justus Ikemeri, Jamie Westcott, Jennifer Kemp, Diana Culbertson, Leland V Miller, K Michael Hambidge, Nancy F Krebs

Abstract

Interference with zinc absorption is a proposed explanation for adverse effects of supplemental iron in iron-replete children in malaria endemic settings. We examined the effects of iron in micronutrient powder (MNP) on zinc absorption after three months of home fortification with MNP in maize-based diets in rural Kenyan infants. In a double blind design, six-month-old, non-anemic infants were randomized to MNP containing 5 mg zinc, with or without 12.5 mg of iron (MNP + Fe and MNP − Fe, respectively); a control (C) group received placebo powder. After three months, duplicate diet collections and zinc stable isotopes were used to measure intake from MNP + non-breast milk foods and fractional absorption of zinc (FAZ) by dual isotope ratio method; total absorbed zinc (TAZ, mg/day) was calculated from intake × FAZ. Mean (SEM) TAZ was not different between MNP + Fe (n = 10) and MNP - Fe (n = 9) groups: 0.85 (0.22) and 0.72 (0.19), respectively, but both were higher than C (n = 9): 0.24 (0.03) (p = 0.04). Iron in MNP did not significantly alter zinc absorption, but despite intakes over double estimated dietary requirement, both MNP groups' mean TAZ barely approximated the physiologic requirement for age. Impaired zinc absorption may dictate need for higher zinc doses in vulnerable populations.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02101723.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Consort diagram. MNP, micronutrient powder.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Box and whisker plots of trimmed mean data for (A) fractional absorption of Zinc (FAZ) from micronutrient powder (MNP) meals; (B) total absorbed zinc (TAZ) from MNP meals and (C) exchangeable zinc pool (EZP) after 3 months on intervention. “+” indicates mean value. Different superscripts denote significant differences between groups (ANOVA).

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