The effect of 'fibre-filler' (F-plan diet) on iron, zinc and calcium absorption in rats

1. The availability of iron, zinc and calcium in a diet containing 400 g 'fibre-filler' (a mixture of bran, fruit and nuts, used in the F-plan diet)/kg diet (HF diet) was measured by whole-body counting in rats, using 59Fe, 65Zn and 47Ca as extrinsic labels, and compared with a diet of similar mineral content but no 'fibre-filler' (LF diet). Absorption of Fe and Ca was significantly higher from the HF than from the LF diet but there was no difference in Zn availability between the two diets. 2. The ability of rats given LF or HF diets for 3 or 28 d to absorb Fe, Zn and Ca was measured using ferrous sulphate, zinc chloride and calcium chloride in a cooked starch-sucrose (1:1 w/w) paste, extrinsically-labelled with the appropriate isotope. There was no difference in Fe absorption between the HF- and LF-fed groups but both Zn and Ca absorption were higher in LF- than in HF-fed animals after 3 and 28 d. 3. The mineral status of the animals given HF or LF diets for 28 d was examined, and there were no differences in blood haemoglobin, liver and bone Zn and plasma and bone Ca levels. The total liver Fe was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) in the HF-fed animals. 4. It was concluded that 'fibre-filler' did not have an adverse effect on Fe, Zn or Ca metabolism in rats although the long-term effect on Fe status warrants more detailed investigation. Further work is required to extend these studies to man.