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Article: Iron and ascorbic acid: Proposed fortification levels and recommended iron compounds1
- Article from:
- The Journal of Nutrition
- Article date:
- September 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright American Institute of Nutrition Sep 2003. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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ABSTRACT An adequate supply of dietary iron during the 1st 24 mo of life is essential for preventing iron deficiency with its attendant negative effects on mental, motor and emotional development as well as later cognitive performance. Iron reserves and the small amount of highly bioavailable iron in human milk are adequate to satisfy the iron requirements of breast-fed infants of adequate birth weight for the 1st 6 mo of life. Thereafter, complementary foods, iron supplements or both are needed to meet this requirement. Complementary foods should not displace the consumption of human milk. The quantities eaten, particularly by younger infants, may therefore be quite small. As a consequence ...