Question

.How does the form of each of these nutrient affect absorption rate? o Describe Heme vs non-heme iron including absorption differences, what foods contain heme vs non-heme iron? Wha factors increase or decrease iron absorption? o Describe natural folate vs synthetic folic acid including absorption rates and differences. .What is the upper limit for folate and what type of folate does this pertain to?

Answer 1

• Heme Vs Non-heme Iron:

Heme iron	non-heme iron
A type of iron found in blood proteins, and hemoglobin in animals	A type of iron found mostly in plants.
Mostly found in animal-based sources such as meat, poultry, seafood,	Mostly found in plant-based food such as vegetables, fruits, grains, fortified food, nuts, seeds, dairy, and eggs.
Absorbs readily. Average absorption rate 25%.	Not absorbed readily. Average absorption rate 16.8%
Absorption is not affected by other food substances	Absorption depends on the other food consume. tea, coffee, calcium decreases iron absorption whereas ascorbic acid and heme iron increase the absorption.

Natural folate Vs Synthetic folate:

Natural folate	synthetic folate
It is the natural form of Vit B9	It is the synthetic form of vit B9.
Found naturally in food like green vegetables, oranges, lentils, beans, legumes, dairy products.	It is also known as folic acid and consumed through supplementary or fortified food.
It contains cofactors such as fatty acid, protein, and enzyme.	It contains carrier food factor.
It converts into methyl folate and absorbed in the small intestine.	Synthetic folate absorbed much better compared to natural folate.

• The daily recommended folate intake is 400 micrograms per day. The upper limit of folic acid intake for normal adults is 1000micrograms per day. This type of folate is mainly pertained to the synthetic form of fortified food or from the supplements.