Objective:
The primary goals of this project are to evaluate the effects of energy restriction on mineral homeostasis and several functional endpoints, including cognitive function, immunity and bone metabolism, and to identify patterns or interventions that ameliorate the adverse effects of weight loss diets.

Approach:
The overall goal is to evaluate the effects of energy restriction diets on mineral metabolism and several functional endpoints, and to identify specific dietary patterns or interventions that can ameliorate the adverse effects. To achieve this goal, human studies will be conducted investigating the effects of energy restriction on iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, and calcium status and metabolism; evaluating the efficacy and safety of feeding soy isoflavones to attenuate bone loss in postmenopausal women; and examining the effectiveness of supplemental iron, zinc and vitamin B-6 for reversing attentional deficits in premenopausal women. With obesity at epidemic levels in the United States, there is a clear need for research to devise effective weight loss diets that will not adversely affect health and performance. Replaces 5306-51520-005-00D (1/04).