Application of quantitative salt iodine analysis compared with the standard method.

Laboratory investigation of 50 iodated salt samples (from producers, households, markets etc) were studied at the Research Nuclear Medicine Building, Siriraj Hospital. Two methods for the determination of iodine in salt are herein described. The standard method as recommended by The Programme Against Micronutrient Malnutrition (PAMM) / The Micronutrient Initiative (MI)/ The International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) was the iodometric titration method.

Dose-dependent inhibitory effect of phenolic compounds in foods on nonheme-iron absorption in men.

Nonheme-iron absorption from a typical Southeast Asian meal was studied to examine the effect of a common vegetable, Yod Kratin, which contains a considerable amount of iron-binding phenolic groups. Yod Kratin (leaves of the lead tree) is a very popular vegetable in Thailand. It is consumed at least once a week year round, sometimes every day, together with the main meal.

Rice and iron absorption in man.

Several studies suggest that iron absorption is low from rice-based meals. Comparisons of the effect of rice starch and wheat starch on iron absorption showed that rice had no effect on absorption. Observed differences in effects on iron absorption between different batches of rice starch could be explained by differences in the phytate content.

Iron absorption from some Asian meals containing contamination iron.

Iron absorption was measured from 12 Asian meals using the extrinsic tag method. Up to 50% of the nonheme iron in the meals did not exchange with the added inorganic radioiron tracer. The extent of isotopic exchange, the native iron and the "contamination" iron was measured using a recently developed in vitro method.

Iron absorption in patients with beta-thalassaemia/haemoglobin E disease and the effect of splenectomy.

Intestinal 59Fe absorption was measured in 16 patients with beta-thalassaemia/haemoglobin E disease and in 5 normal controls, using a total-body counting technique. The average iron absorption in the patients was 62% in contrast to 16.5% in the normal controls.

Endocrine function in thalassaemia.

Twenty-one Thai patients with beta-thalassemia/haemoglobin E and haemoglobin H diseases, 8-20-years-old, were studied. These patients had receive none or minimal blood transfusion. The important clinical endocrine abnormalities were growth retardation and sexual immaturity.

The measurement of food iron absorption in man. A methodological study on the measurement of dietary non-haem-Fe absorption when the subjects have a free choice of food items.

1. The present study was considered as a first step to develop a method to measure food iron absorption from realistic common meals prepared and consumed by the subjects themselves in their own homes. The absorption of Fe from the meals was measured by means of the extrinsic-tag method modified to allow for a free choice of food items.