European journal of clinical investigation
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Only 10% of dietary iron is absorbed in the duodenum which implies that 90% (approximately 9 mg day(-1)) reaches the lower small intestine and colon. Therefore the purpose of this study was to assess the iron transport capacity of the rat proximal colon and to determine whether iron absorption is regulated by changes in dietary iron content. ⋯ The proximal colon can absorb non-haem iron from the intestinal lumen. The purpose of this mechanism remains to be elucidated.