IRON-ABSORPTION FROM A NATURAL MINERAL-WATER (SPATONE IRON-PLUS)

Spatone Iron-Plus is a naturally occurring mineral water from Trefriw Wells Spa in Gwynedd, Wales, UK which contains approximately 0.3 mg of iron per ml as ferrous sulphate. The water has been taken as a tonic since Victorian times. Iron absorption from Spatone Iron-Plus was meas ured in a whole body counter after labelling the water with [59Fe] fer rous sulphate. Absorption studies were carried out in 13 subjects. Mea n absorption for 10 mi of Spatone Iron-Plus taken on an empty stomach was 23%. Absorption was related to body iron stores as assessed by ser um ferritin. In subjects with a serum ferritin concentration of <10 mu g/l, absorption was approximately 40% but was <10% in subjects with f erritin concentrations of approximately 200 mu g/l. This study indicat es that Spatone Iron-Plus provides iron in a highly bio-available form .