Availability of Fluoride from Fish Protein Concentrate and from Sodium Fluoride in Man

Abstract

Studies were performed in adult man under strictly controlled dietary conditions on the availability of fluoride from fish protein concentrate (FPC). The results obtained were compared with the availability of fluoride given as sodium fluoride to the same subjects. Metabolic balances of fluoride were determined in control studies, during the intake of the FPC-supplemented diet and during the intake of similar amounts of fluoride given as NaF. The intake of fluoride and the urinary and fecal excretions of fluoride were determined in each study phase. In the control study, the fluoride intake averaged 4.4 mg/day and the fluoride balance +1.9 mg/day. During the intake of FPC the fluoride intake averaged 12 mg/day, and the fluoride balance +4.7 mg/day. The fecal fluoride excretion was somewhat higher in the FPC study than in the NaF study, averaging 1.43 mg vs. 0.88 mg per day, and the fluoride balances were slightly lower during the intake of FPC than of NaF, +4.7 and +5.4 mg/day, respectively. The excretion and balance data indicate that fluoride is readily available from FPC. The net absorption of fluoride given as FPC and as sodium fluoride was very high and averaged 88% during the intake of FPC and 94% during the intake of sodium fluoride. Although the net absorption of fluoride from FPC differed significantly from the net absorption of fluoride given as sodium fluoride, this difference is small and does not appear to be of physiological importance.