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Methodological considerations in measuring human calcium absorption: relevance to study the effects of inulin-type fructans

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2007

Ian J. Griffin  and
Steven A. Abrams
Ian J. Griffin*
Affiliation:
USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, and Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1100 Bates Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
Steven A. Abrams
Affiliation:
USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, and Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1100 Bates Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
*
*Corresponding author: Dr Ian J. Griffin, fax +1 713 798 7119, email igriffin@bcm.tmc.edu
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Abstract

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During the last 50 years, a variety of methods have been developed to estimate Ca absorption in man. Mass balances were initially used, but these were unable to accurately measure fractional Ca absorption because they cannot distinguish unabsorbed dietary Ca from endogenous faecal Ca excretion (excretion of previously absorbed Ca back into the gut). A number of isotopic methods have been developed that can measure true fractional Ca absorption, employing radioisotopes, stable isotopes, or both. Different methods involve collection of urine, faecal or plasma samples. Of the currently available methods, the dual isotope tracer method with a timed urine collection is probably the most precise and reliable. It is also relatively straightforward to carry out and avoids the need for a faecal collection. The purpose of the present paper is to discuss the general advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of Ca absorption. In addition, the limitations the different methods have in examining the possible effects of non-digestible oligosaccharides on Ca absorption will be discussed.

Keywords

Calcium absorptionStable isotopesNon-digestible oligosaccharides
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 93 , Issue S1 , April 2005 , pp. S105 - S110
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2005

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