EFFECT OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND VITAMIN-C ON ABSORPTION OF FERRIC SODIUM-CITRATE

The effect of physical exercise and vitamin C on iron absorption after oral iron administration was investigated. Eight healthy male subject s without iron deficiency were studied after administration of 100 mg ferric sodium citrate complex, 100 mg ferric sodium citrate complex wi th 200 mg ascorbic acid, and without iron intake, both under resting c onditions and after a l-h bicycle ergometer test at moderate exercise. Serum concentrations for iron. transferrin, and ferritin were measure d before and 30 min, and 1, 2, and 4 h after each administration. Unde r resting conditions administration of 100 mg ferric sodium citrate le d to a significant increase in serum iron concentrations. When ferric sodium citrate was administered with vitamin C, iron values increased significantly further. Ingestion of iron together with physical exerci se resulted in a higher serum iron concentration than under resting co nditions. The maximum increase, reached after 4 h, was 48.2% with exer cise and 8.3% without. In combination with exercise, the addition of 2 00 mg vitamin C did not further increase serum iron concentration. In conclusion, 1 h of moderate exercise enhanced the rate of iron absorpt ion. Under resting conditions the combination of ferric sodium citrate with vitamin C led to significantly increased postabsorption serum ir on concentrations compared with iron administration without vitamin C.