THE EFFECTS OF SUGAR-BEET FIBER SUPPLEMENTATION FOR 5 WEEKS ON ZINC, IRON AND COPPER STATUS IN HUMAN-SUBJECTS

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of fibre suppl ementation on zinc, iron and copper status in human subjects. Ten male s (53 +/- 8 years of age) participated in this study which consisted o f three phases: baseline-1 period (2 weeks) in which subjects were on their normal, habitual dietary intake, followed by a period of fibre s upplementation (5 weeks) in which subjects were supplemented with 26 g dietary fibre/d, and baseline-2 period (4 weeks) in which fibre suppl ement was withdrawn. Parametric measurements of zinc, iron and copper status were conducted on weeks 1,2 (zero-time), 7 and 11. Results show ed that fibre supplementation for 5 weeks did not cause any significan t change in the status of zinc (measured by concentration of zinc in p lasma and urine and alkaline phosphatase activity), iron (measured by packed cell volume (PCV %), HB, transferrin saturation % and ferritin) , or copper (measured by plasma copper concentration and erythrocyte s uperoxide dismutase activity). We conclude that consumption of sugar-b eet fibre added to the daily diet does not constitute any risk with re spect to zinc, iron and copper nutriture.