Differences in nonheme iron absorption between healthy adults of East Asian or Northern European ancestry from the Iron Genes in East Asian and Northern European Adults Study (FeGenes): A cross-sectional stable iron isotope study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Because humans lack mechanisms for excreting excess iron (Fe), dietary Fe absorption must be tightly regulated to ensure optimal Fe levels. We previously showed that East Asian (EA) individuals have higher Fe stores compared with Northern European (NE) individuals, but the physiological basis for this difference is unknown.

Objectives

Our aim is to compare nonheme Fe absorption and its regulation in healthy participants of genetically confirmed EA or NE ancestry.

Methods

Participants of this cross-sectional study were males and premenopausal, nonpregnant females of EA (n = 253) or NE (n = 251) ancestry, aged 18-50 y, and without obesity. Participants ingested a stable ⁵⁷Fe isotope as a FeSO₄ solution mixed with syrup. Percent Fe absorp

SUBMITTER: Barad A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11863334 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature