23rd Annual Student Research Conference
Reduced phytate diets do not enhance Zn status in Malawian children
Patrick I. Casey
Dr. Lin Twining and Dr. Mark J. Manary (Washington University School of Medicine), Faculty Mentors
Zinc deficiency is an important health concern for children in the developing world. The consumption of high phytate, cereal based diets may contribute to the risk for Malawian children. The objective of the study was to analyze whether there is a difference in Endogenous Fecal Zinc (EFZ) in Malawian children when given a reduced phytate diet. In April of 1999, a community-based study was performed in rural Malawi with participation of 10 Malawian children aged 2-5 y. The removal of dietary phytate, an inhibitor of zinc absorption in the intestinal lumen, was used to investigate zinc status and homeostasis. Zinc levels in both feces and blood were measured healthy, free-living Malawian children consuming high phytate diets. Endogenous fecal zinc levels were higher compared to findings in previous studies, while blood levels remained the same.
Keywords: Nutrition, Zinc, Phytate, Deficiency, Children, Pediatrics
Topic(s):Health Science
Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 25-1
Location: VH 1000
Time: 9:30