Ethnic Differences in Iron Absorption (FeGenes)

This study aims to; 1) investigate population differences in iron absorption between East Asians and Northern Europeans; 2) assess population differences in hormonal and biochemical determinants of Fe absorption between East Asians and Northern Europeans; and 3) to investigate genetic contributions to Fe absorption, Fe status and Fe regulatory hormones between East Asians and Northern Europeans.

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy adults * Age between 18- 50y * Non-smoking * Not taking vitamin or mineral supplements. * Females: premenopausal and not pregnant or lactating * No preexisting medical complications (such as eating disorders, hemoglobinopathies, malabsorption diseases, steroid use, substance abuse history, or taking medications known to influence iron homeostasis) * Body mass index (BMI) between 18 - 30 kg/m2. Exclusion Criteria: * BMI \ 30 kg/m2, * Age \ 50y, * Not of Northern European or East Asian ancestry * Smoking * Pregnancy, lactating * Have gastrointestinal disorders/malabsorption diseases/hemoglobinopathies/dietary restrictions/steroid use/ medication use of medications known to impact iron status, iron utilization or inflammatory status * Take vitamin and mineral supplementations