Effect of dietary iron on iron absorption in man

Earlier studies have failed to show any influence of dietary iron on the absorption of iron in man. In the present investigation the absorption of a 0.56 mg 59Fe++ test dose was randomly studied two times in the same individual — after one week on an iron deficient diet and after one week on an iron rich diet. The different types of diet were found to have a significant influence on the results of the absorption measurement being about 20 % after iron rich food and about 30 % after iron deficient diet. The finding is of importance when evaluating absorption data from small test doses in man.