The Iron Metabolism and Requirement of Young Women

Abstract

Ninety-nine 1-week iron metabolism studies were made on sixty-nine young women between the ages of 16 and 27 years who were living on self-chosen diets. The average daily intake of 10.44 mg. of iron provided an average daily storage of 1.37 mg. which is ample to replace normal menstrual losses. As the level of intake rose from below 8 mg. to 16 mg. the occurrence of negative balances decreased and the amount of iron that was stored increased. Seven subjects whose diets were generous in other nutrients had an average daily iron intake of 7.21 mg. and were storing 1.55 mg. daily or more than enough iron to replace that lost in normal menstruation. Five other subjects with similar iron intakes but suboptimum diets in other respects had an average daily negative balance of 1.30 mg. of iron. There is no occasion for suggesting more or less iron than is recommended in current dietary standards for young women. However, calculations to determine whether a diet contains an adequate amount of iron may eventually be discontinued since it appears that emphasis should rather be placed upon obtaining diets optimum in other essential nutrients which have been shown to function in efficient iron absorption and utilization.