ABSTRACTUtilization of iron in bread containing variable amounts of calcium was examined using iron‐deficient rats as the test model. Iron was added to the bread at the normal enrichment level. Calcium, however, was added at levels up to 9 times the normal level. Iron utilization efficiency (IUE) was calculated based on collective increases observed in hemoglobin and liver iron. Compared to a diet low in both calcium and phosphorus (IUE = 100), IUE averaged 98 when the diet was high in calcium but moderate in phosphorous, and 78 when the diet was very high both in calcium and phosphorous. Viewed collectively, the data suggested that excessive intake of both calcium and phosphorus would adversely affect the utilization of iron in bread, but some excess of calcium alone would no
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