Vitamins and essential minerals are micronutrients that are required for the normal functioning of the human body. However, they may lead to adverse health effects if consumed in excess. A tolerable upper intake level (UL) is a science-based reference value that supports policy-makers and other relevant actors in managing the risks of excess nutrient intake.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFollowing a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for iron. Systematic reviews were conducted to identify evidence regarding high iron intakes and risk of chronic diseases, adverse gastrointestinal effects and adverse effects of iron supplementation in infancy, young childhood and pregnancy. It is established that systemic iron overload leads to organ toxicity, but no UL could be established.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Zinc-biofortified potatoes have considerable potential to reduce zinc deficiency because of their low levels of phytate, an inhibitor of zinc absorption, and their high consumption, especially in the Andean region of Peru.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to measure fractional and total zinc absorption from a test meal of biofortified compared with regular potatoes.
Methods: We undertook a single-blinded randomized crossover study (using Zn and Zn stable isotopes) in which 37 women consumed 500-g biofortified or regular potatoes twice a day.