Abstract: The period of complementary feeding in infants can be described as a gradual transition from an exclusive milk diet to a complete range of foods eaten by adults and has been recommended to begin after six months of exclusive breast feeding. Dietary elements such as Ca, N, Fe and Na; are important nutrients in complementary nutrition not just as food 'component' but such that must be optimally absorbed from the gut if physiological functionality is desired. Therefore, the bioavailability of these nutrients in CF and BF were investigated using Male Wistar-strain weaning rat model. During the study, which lasted for 7days; weight gained, amount of food consumed, food efficiency and the respective bioavailability of Ca, N, Fe and Na were investigated using standard experimental procedures..........
Keywords: Bioavailability, Food Efficiency Ratio, Physiological Support, Complementary Feeding, Growth.
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