Zinc What we need to know

Zinc is an essential trace element for all organisms. The growth and development of the body in humans is strictly dependent on trace elements of zinc.

Zinc is an essential nutrient for human health and has antioxidant stress and anti-inflammatory functions. The connection between its deficiency and the development of cardiovascular diseases has been confirmed by many studies. Zinc supplementation may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and protect against myocardial infarction and ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Zinc is needed for many processes in the body, including:

• gene expression;
• enzymatic reactions;
• immune function;
• protein synthesis;
• DNA synthesis;
• wound healing;
• growth and development.

Zinc is also involved in the sensations of taste and smell.

Food sources

Meat, poultry and seafood are rich in zinc. Some plant foods, such as legumes and grains, are strong sources of zinc.

• shellfish: oysters, crab, lobster;
• Beef;
• poultry farming;
• Pork;
• legumes;
• nuts, seeds;
• grain.

Supplements

Zinc is available as a supplement in pill and lozenge form. Excess zinc can interfere with the absorption of iron and copper.

High doses can also cause nausea and vomiting. Therefore, it is important not to take additional zinc without consulting and recommending your doctor.

deficit

Zinc is one of the most important trace elements. Zinc deficiency is a major health problem worldwide. Causes of deficiency may be nutritional, iatrogenic, genetic, or the result of disease.

Severe zinc deficiency causes symptoms such as pustular dermatitis, alopecia, weight loss, diarrhea, infections secondary to immune dysfunction, hypogonadism, and ulcer healing problems.

Zinc deficiency leads to a decrease in the function of the non-specific and specific immune response and, therefore, to an increase in susceptibility to bacterial, viral and fungal infections.

Zinc deficiency risk groups:

• pregnant women (during lactation, the need for zinc for the fetus increases);
• Vegetarians/Vegans. Zinc can be obtained from plant foods such as whole grains, but plant foods have a lower bioavailability in the body than animal foods;
• decreased absorption of zinc through urine, which leads to its deficiency;
• People who cannot process zinc well because of disorders of the digestive system, such as inflammatory bowel disease, or who have had gastrointestinal surgery;
• People with chronic liver or kidney disease.

Deficiency signs are:

• loss of taste or smell;
• Decreased appetite;
• depressed mood;
• reduced immunity;
• delayed wound healing;
• Diarrhea;
• hair loss.

toxicity

Toxicity arises primarily from zinc supplements, not food.

Signs of toxicity are:

• Nausea, vomiting;
• Decreased appetite;
• Abdominal pain or cramps;
• headache;
• Diarrhea.

Prevention

When the above-mentioned symptoms appear, it is necessary to check the dose of zinc in the body in order to avoid diseases caused by its excess or deficiency. The dose is determined by conducting a special test, which you can do in any branch of Synevo laboratories.

1)Zinc Zn | Laboratory research

2)Zinc Zn (Urine) | Laboratory research

source

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29926844/
• https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/zinc/
• https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/zinc/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29926844/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11115789/
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/zinc#what-it-is/

Laboratory "Synevo" offers the following studies:

Alexander Tsintsabadze