Heme and Non-heme Iron Intakes, Gut Microbiota, and Influence on Host Iron Absorption

The FeMicrobiome study will evaluate gut microbiome features and their relationships with dietary iron absorption in healthy adults. The investigators hypothesize that (1) the gut microbiota can be shaped by the heme and non-heme Fe content of the diet and that (2) this will influence individual variation in dietary Fe absorption.

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy adults * Age between 18- 40y * Non-smoking * Not currently taking vitamin, mineral, prebiotic, and probiotic 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 - 27 kg/m2. Exclusion Criteria: * BMI \ 27 kg/m2, * Age \ 40y, * 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 * Currently take vitamin, mineral, prebiotic, and probiotic supplements. * Recently received antibiotic treatment