Depletion-repletion of dietary iron increases total muscle and liver iron contents, but not aerobic capacity, in pigs

摘要

Current iron (Fe) levels in fresh pork are below requirements to claim for a source of Fe (Anonymous, 2013). Dietary studies to increase muscle Fe in pork have generally failed, although an increase in muscle redness, associated with increased haem Fe, was observed (Apple et.al 2007). Under normal feeding conditions about 10% of dietary Fe is absorbed, however this value increases markedly under Fe deficiency (West and Oates 2008). This study tested the hypothesis that feeding lower levels of dietary Fe (depletion) followed by feeding higher levels of dietary Fe (repletion) to pigs will increase muscle Fe levels.