Which statement correctly describes iron in human milk compared with cow's milk?

Which statement correctly describes iron in human milk compared with cow's milk?

• A. Human milk is high in iron content.
• B. Human milk is low in iron content but poorly absorbed.
• C. Human milk is low in iron content and is very efficiently absorbed.
• D. Cow's milk is an excellent iron source for infants.

Answer: (C)

Iron in human milk is present in small amounts but is highly absorbable by the infant. This means the iron level is low, yet the body can utilize a large fraction of what is there, aided by components like lactoferrin that enhance absorption. Cow's milk, in contrast, provides relatively little iron and its iron is poorly absorbed, so it is not an excellent iron source for infants. Hence, the best description is that human milk is low in iron content and is very efficiently absorbed.

Iron in human milk is present in small amounts but is highly absorbable by the infant. This means the iron level is low, yet the body can utilize a large fraction of what is there, aided by components like lactoferrin that enhance absorption. Cow's milk, in contrast, provides relatively little iron and its iron is poorly absorbed, so it is not an excellent iron source for infants. Hence, the best description is that human milk is low in iron content and is very efficiently absorbed.