Effect of dietary protein on the absorption and retention of Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn in pre-adolescent girls.

Three experimental diets, viz. habitually consumed diet (D1), D1 + 34 g pulses (D2), D1 + 190 ml milk (D3) were fed to 18 healthy pre-adolescent girls of low socio-economic group. The additional amount of pulses/milk provided 8 g of additional protein/day. The overall results indicate that the supplementation of habitually consumed diet with a small amount of milk greatly improved the absorption and retention of trace minerals. Minimum daily intake of Zn, Cu and Mn required to maintain equilibrium of these minerals in pre-adolescent children was calculated using the prediction equations and was found to be 8.77, 2.01 and 1.91 mg, respectively. The requirement of Fe could not be calculated due to wide variations among the subjects.