PubMed Research Feed

Iron status in Swedish teenage girls: impact of low dietary iron bioavailability.

Nutrition. 2008 Jul-Aug;24(7-8):638-45

Authors: Hoppe M, Sjöberg A, Hallberg L, Hulthén L

OBJECTIVE: Although it is well known that bioavailability of iron in the diet is important, it has not been fully elucidated in practice. We investigated iron intake and iron absorption in the ordinary diet of free-living individuals in relation to iron status and assessed iron requirements. METHODS: From a total of 1245 adolescent boys and girls included in the Göteborg Adolescence Study of food habits, 28 adolescent girls registered their food intake during 7 d. Iron intake was assessed on the basis of these 7-d dietary records. Iron absorption was calculated using an algorithm including enhancing and inhibiting dietary factors on iron absorption in relation to individual iron status. RESULTS: Available iron intake was 11.5 +/- 2.8 mg/d (mean +/- SD). The proportion of girls with an iron intake below the Nordic nutrition recommendations was 85% (n = 24). Calculated iron absorption was 1.09 +/- 0.59 mg/d (mean +/- SD). Only four girls satisfied their estimated individual iron requirement concerning the absorbed amount of iron. Iron depletion (serum ferritin concentration < or = 15 microg/L) was present in 10 girls (36%), 2 of whom were also anemic (hemoglobin concentration < or = 120 g/L). CONCLUSION: Swedish adolescent girls seemed to have difficulties satisfying their iron requirement in terms of absorbed amount. The data support the view that iron intake and bioavailability of dietary iron is important when evaluating whether iron requirements have been met.

PMID: 18472400 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Women's perception of the efficacy of a soy extract with probiotic: the M3 study.

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2008 Apr;24(4):178-83

Authors: Palacios S, Rojo IA, Cancelo MJ, Neyro JL, Castelo-Branco C

OBJECTIVES: To determine women's perception of soy extracts containing a probiotic on climacteric-related symptoms. DESIGN: A prospective multi-center survey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 2044 women aged 40-65 years, who were recruited at random by a group of 198 Spanish gynecologists. The women completed a self-report survey at baseline and after 6 months' use of the soy extract (30 mg genistein and 30 mg daidzein) with probiotic (500 million spores of Lactobacillus sporogenes), calcium (141 mg) and vitamin D (5 microg). The questionnaire included 15 items on menopause and health and four about sexuality from the Cervantes scale. Patients and gynecologists completed an assessment about the clinical state. RESULTS: After 6 months, the studied soy extract improved climacteric symptoms and sexuality. Both patients and gynecologists were satisfied with the results. CONCLUSION: Peri- and postmenopausal patients usually experience common menopausal symptoms and many believe that soy extract improves their menopause symptoms. Physicians should be aware of patients' positive attitude to such products.

PMID: 18382902 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]