Non-heme Iron Absorption From Single Meals of Fava Bean Protein, Beef Protein and Cod Protein

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of this study is to investigate the non-heme iron absorption from single meals of texturized fava bean protein, which has been suggested as a protein source suitable for replacement of meat, compared to the non-heme iron absorption from beef protein and cod protein meals. The study participants are women of fertile ages, which is one of the main groups at risk of developing iron deficiency. Since a dietary shift towards increasingly plant based is being pushed, investigating nutritional effects of such a shift is essential to avoid potential negative effects such as an increase of nutritional deficiencies. The study includes two cross-over single-blinded iron isotope trials in apparent healthy Swedish women of the ages 18-45 years, each of whom served as their own control. Participants will be served matched test meals containing beef and fava bean protein (Study 1), or cod and fava bean protein (Study 2) with radiolabeled non-heme iron 55Fe and 59Fe. Absorption of non-heme iron from test meals will be measured by whole-body counting, and erythrocyte incorporation by liquid scintillation.

Official Title
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Non-heme Iron Absorption From Single Meals of Fava Bean Protein, Beef Protein and Cod Protein in Healthy Females in Fertile Ages

Conditions
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Healthy, Nutrition, Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Single meal non-heme iron absorption


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Female Age 18-45 Is tolerant to intake of fava bean Eats fish and meat Feels healthy Can eat a breakfast consisting of three potato-based patties Exclusion Criteria: Other sex than female Age <18 and >45 Has an ongoing infection Is vegetarian Is pregnant or lactating Takes iron supplements

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: Study group 1. Texturized fava protein meal and beef protein meal<br>Participants recruited to study group 1 will be served a meal with fava bean protein (B) and beef protein (A), each meal twice which in total brings four meals on four consecutive days as fasting breakfast. Meals are served in the order BBAA | Other: Single meal non-heme iron absorption<br>* Two study groups, each designed as cross-over single-blinded iron isotope trials in apparent healthy Swedish women of the ages 18-45 years. Each participant serves as their own control. Meals are tagged with radiolabeled non-heme iron 55Fe and 59Fe.<br>|
| Other: Study group 2. Texturized fava protein meal and cod protein meal<br>Participants recruited to study group 1 will be served a meal with fava bean protein (B) and cod protein (A), each meal twice which in total brings four meals on four consecutive days as fasting breakfast. Meals are served in the order BBAA | Other: Single meal non-heme iron absorption<br>* Two study groups, each designed as cross-over single-blinded iron isotope trials in apparent healthy Swedish women of the ages 18-45 years. Each participant serves as their own control. Meals are tagged with radiolabeled non-heme iron 55Fe and 59Fe.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 59Fe non-heme iron absorption from cod and beef protein meals | Absorption of 59Fe, which is added to the animal protein meals, will be measured by a whole body counter which enables measurement of absolute value. | 5 weeks | 
| 55Fe non-heme iron absorption from fava bean protein meals. | The absorption quota of 59Fe/55Fe is measured by erythrocyte incorporation, analyzed by liquid scintillation. The absorbance quota, in combination with the absolute value of the whole body counter, will be used to calculate the absorbance of 55Fe which is added to the fava bean meals | 5 weeks |