Soluble corn fiber (SCF) effects on calcium absorption and retention in adolescent girls and boys

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of SFC on calcium absorption and retention in adolescent boys and girls. Calcium absorption and retention were studied in a three‐week metabolic balance double‐blind, randomized, cross‐over design with a controlled background diet containing 600 mg daily calcium and treatments of either 0 and 12 g/d SCF. Diet composites, fecal and urine samples were collected daily and analyzed for calcium. In the third week of treatment, 44Ca and 43Ca were administered and fractional calcium absorption was calculated as the ratio of excess 44Ca and 43Ca in the urine after accounting for natural abundance. Pairwise comparisons revealed a significant difference in fractional calcium absorption in 24 h – 48 h urine samples; SCF treatment increased absorption by 12% (70 mg/d) compared to control (0.664 ± 0.129 and 0.595 ± 0.142, respectively; p<0.03). SCF treatment had no overall effect on calcium balance, but this was likely due to the insensitivity of balance as urinary Ca only increased by 10 mg/d (NS) with consumption of SCF. The increase in fractional calcium absorption with SCF consumption may be due to increased absorption in the lower gut through alterations in colonic bacterial profiles that enhance calcium absorption.Grant Funding Source : Tate & Lyle Health & Nutrition Sciences