Enriched chicory inulin increases calcium absorption mainly in girls with lower calcium absorption

We have previously shown that consumption of modest amounts of Synergy1 (long-chain inulin enriched with oligofructose) significantly increases calcium absorption in girls. The objective of this study was to determine which subject characteristics are associated with this beneficial effect. Data from our original cohort of 29 girls were combined with those of an additional 25 newly recruited subjects. Calcium absorption was measured twice, in random order, after 3 weeks' adaptation to either 8 g/d Synergy1 or placebo (sucrose), separated by a 2-week washout period, using a dual-tracer stable isotope method. Overall, Synergy1 significantly increased calcium absorption from 33.1% (SD 9.2%) to 36.1% (SD 9.8%, p = 0.027). The most consistent identifiable determinant of a beneficial effect of Synergy1 on calcium absorption was the fractional calcium absorption during the placebo period, with those individuals with lower calcium absorption during the placebo period showing the greatest benefit. Abbreviations: C, Caucasian; H, Hispanic; AA, African American.