Assessment of Iron Bioavailability in Humans Using Stable Iron Isotope Techniques

VIENNA ISBN 978–92–0–126510–4 ISSN 2075–3772 This publication on the assessment of iron bioavailability was developed as part of the IAEA’s continuing efforts to transfer knowledge and technology in the use of stable isotope techniques in nutrition. It provides information on the theoretical background and practical application of state of the art methodology to measure human iron absorption and dietary iron bioavailability using stable (nonradioactive) isotopes. These techniques can be used to guide fortifi cation and food based strategies to combat iron defi ciency, which remains unacceptably high among infants, children and women of childbearing age in developing countries.