Disparity between diet and serum ferritin in elite sportswomen

The possible relationship existing between the intake of nutrients related to iron metabolism and the body iron reserves was studied in 72 sportswomen and in 82 sedentary women. Both the sportswomen and the sedentary women were classified into three groups according to their ferritin levels: low level (<12 ng.mL(-1)), medium level (from 12 to 20 ng.mL(-1)) and high level (>20 ng.mL(-1)). After a 7-day analysis of weighed diets, no relationship was found between the energy, total protein, proteins of animal origin, iron, heme iron, copper, vitamin C, folic acid and vitamin B-12 intakes and the levels of serum ferritin. The mean iron and folic acid intakes were insufficient in relation to the recommended minimum levels. The lack of a direct relationship between the intake of iron and nutrients related to its metabolism and the body reserves of this micronutrient leads us to consider other factors which may influence serum ferritin levels. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.