Phytase Increases Zinc Absorption

Summary: 

Many healthcare professionals worry that people that eat a vegan diet not receiving the recommended amount of zinc in their food. Researchers wanted to look into the best methods to improve zinc bioavailability and absorption in individuals that consume plant-based diets. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that phytase is a useful ingredient in removing phytate and therefore improving the bioavailability and absorption of zinc. 

Research Question: Is the enzyme phytase active at making zinc more bioavailable in plant-based diets?

APN 615 Reflection:

Compared to the many other assignments I have completed during the APN 615 course, the IRB Proposal is the piece that best reflects my work up to this point in the course. The IRB Proposal was the main focus of the entire course. All of our coursework was pertaining to some section of the IRB Proposal or fundamentals we needed to know in order to properly conduct and explain the research. Each discussion posts allowed each of us to understand how to properly write in a technical manner as well as utilize AMA format correctly.

The skills that we adapted from this course can help guide our writing, communication skills, creativity, and technical skills when it comes to providing information to the health professionals and the public. Providing us with the tools and methods to create presentations specifically for the use of relaying complex information in an easy to understand format is essential for when many of us will need to do the same in an office setting to patients or clients. If I could improve on this piece I would include more background information about malting, fermentation, and acidulants. I would further explain exactly how these processes lower the number of phytates that inhibit zinc.  I would also improve the survey that would be distributed to the test subjects. I would need to use another survey engine that allows for more questions and lower cost for editing.

Completing this piece shows that I have the ability to find the problem, figure out ways to solve that problem, and then illustrate that information in a professional manner suitable for my audience. In my professional career I may be asked to assess a patient and figure out why he or she is having certain symptoms. I would then be able research information in order to come up with a solution to improve that patient’s condition. The IRB Proposal showcases every assessment learned within this course.