Calcium Absorption and Retention From Marine Products

Background:

Up till now little attention has been given the exploitation of marine by-products from the fishing industry. Calcium in fish is found mainly in bone and skin. By-products from these sources are limited to production of gelatine. Small fish, which can be eaten whole with bones included, are traditionally considered to be a good source of calcium. Until recently, bioavailability of this calcium was not known. Two recent studies from Denmark have shown that the absorption of calcium from small soft-boned fish was comparable to that of skimmed milk both in rats and in humans.

Calcium fortified foods are likely to play an important role in helping consumers to achieve calcium requirements aimed at reducing the risk of developing osteoporosis. Experimental evidence show a positive effect of calcium supplementation on bone mineral accretion in children, and combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation has resulted in reduced bone loss and fracture incidence in older men and women.

This protocol describes a project on the nutritional utilisation of calcium from fish bone waste. The main objective is to maximise the use and the added value of marine by-products with special emphasis on utilisation of fish bone as a calcium source and determine its bioavailabiliy in humans.

Study design :