Long‐chain fatty acid supplemented infant formula does not influence calcium and magnesium bioavailability in weanling rats

The influence of infant formula supplementation with long‐chain‐polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) on calcium and magnesium bioavailability was assessed in rats. Two test diets containing a plain, unsupplemented (PF) or supplemented (SF) infant formula as the fat source and a control diet (C) were administered to weaning rats and food intake and body weight gain were monitored for 28 days. In order to assess calcium and magnesium bioavailability, during the last week faeces and urine were collected and apparent absorption and retention were calculated. Food intake and body weight showed no significant differences between PF and SF but were lower in both groups compared with C. Calcium and magnesium intake did not differ between PF and SF, although both parameters were lower compared with C. Calcium absorption efficiency in PF and SF was significantly higher than in C. However, both groups showed higher urinary calcium excretion and thus no differences were observed in calcium retention. Magnesium absorption efficiency was also significantly higher in PF and SF compared with C, but magnesium absorption was significantly lower in SF compared with PF and C. Nevertheless, urinary magnesium excretion and magnesium retention were similar in the three groups. The consumption of a diet containing an infant formula supplemented with LCPUFA compared with the plain formula does not affect calcium and magnesium bioavailability in rats. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry