Influence of Succinic Acid on Absorption of Iron Studied by Whole-Body Monitoring

Abstract

Nineteen normal adult male volunteers were given two 10-day courses of oral ferrous succinate, one course being given with added free succinic acid, the other without. Each dose contained 37 mg elemental iron. Iron absorption was measured using a whole-body monitor. The addition of free succinic acid did not lead to an increase in the whole-body absorption of iron. In nine subjects in whom the red cell incorporation of iron was measured, iron utilization was not increased by the addition of free succinic acid.