Iron bioavailability in iron-fortified cereal foods: The contribution of in vitro studies
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in humans. Not all dietary ingested iron, heme or nonheme, will be available to absorption and negative imbalance between iron requirements and absorption leads to iron deficiency and/or anemia. The recommended iron values usually are based on the genetic and on diet iron-bioavailability, which can be considered as the principal factor that change among the cultures and influences the distinct levels of recommendation among countries. Dietary changes present practical limitations due to be difficult to change food habits. The iron food fortification is considered more cost effective and economically more attractive than iron s…
Phospholipids in Human Milk and Infant Formulas: Benefits and Needs for Correct Infant Nutrition.
The composition of human milk has served as a basis for the development of infant formulas, which are used when breastfeeding is not possible. Among the human milk nutrients, 50% of the total energetic value corresponds to fat, with a high level of fatty acids and 0.2-2.0% present in the form of phospholipids (PLs). The PL contents and fatty acid distribution in PL species have been investigated as bioactive elements for the production of infant formulas, since they offer potential benefits for the optimum growth and health of the newborn infant. The differences in the amount of PLs and in fatty acid distribution in PL species between human milk and infant formulas can imply biologically si…