Zinc

Role of zinc

Acts as a co-factor for over 70 important

enzymes
Involved in the action of hormones
Crucial in structure and function of
biomembranes

Requirements
For breastfed infants after 3-4 months
is <1.0mg
Absorption ranges between 10% and
40%
With net absorption of 20% estimated
dietary requirement for weanlings
would be about 2-5mg/day

Zn in the diet
Found in both animal and veg sources
Zn from animal sources are better
absorbed
Zn in plant foods is bound by phytates
Abundant in meat, liver, eggs, dairy
products, some sea food and vegetables
Whole grains are good sources but refined
are not

Zn deficiency
Public health problem
Associated with complications of
pregnancy and birth outcomes
Impaired immune function
Increased duration and severity of
diarrhoea
Growth retardation
More prevalent in less developed countries

In long standing deficiency

Retardation of growth
Dwarfism
Reduction in brain size of offspring
Poor mental development
Decrease tolerance to stress
Membranes are susceptible to peroxidation,
allergens and infections
Impairment of iron transport
Primary hypogonadism
Impaired testicular function

Zinc deficiency leads to

In children
Retardation of growth
Dwarfism
In pregnancy
Reduction in brain size of offspring
Poor mental development
Decreased tolerance to stress
(SZn - >550g/l in 1st & > 700
g/l in 3rd)

Clinical significance
More marked in infants and young children: cessation of
growth & development, severe failure to thrive if untreated

Characteristic feature is acro-orificial dermatitis

Mucus membranes are affected: stomatitis and gingivitis
Diarrhoea
Anorexia
Adverse effects in brain function: depressed mood
Frequent bacterial and fungal infections: defects in immune
systems

Mild deficiency likely to commence at the time of weaning

Deficiency detrimentally affect childrens mental development
(cognition) and behaviour

With dietary Zn supplementation

Growth limiting and mild Zn deficiency can
be corrected
Declining growth percentiles can be
partially reversed at an early stage
During 4-9 months a significant linear
growth & wt. gain
Low birth weight children with 6 months of
supp perform higher scores on the
locomotion subscale of Griffiths test

On behavior & cognition

Deficiency affects childrens mental
development and behavior
Low birth weight children have shown
higher scores on the locomotion subscale
with supp.
In school children, benefits shown on a
wide scale with 10 months of supp.

Factors determine the

prevalence
Quality of the diet
Incidence of infection
Physiological state

Factors that increase the risk of Zn

deficiency
Gender males are more prone (increased
requirements due to higher muscle mass)

Periods of rapid growth

Physiological state pregnancy
Diets inadequate in Zn plant based (low)
Low energy intakes results in low Zn intake
Diarrhoea & infections increased losses
(common in malnourished children)

Diet & availability of Zn

Phytic acid in cereals and legumes
potent inhibitor
Fiber reduces availability
Reduced phytate content in fermented
foods
Low protein and high iron in meals affects
bioavailability
Low meat intake causes deficiency

 Phytate-Zn molar ratio

Level of phytic acid relative to total Zn can
predict Zn deficiency.
Ratio >15 high risk of Zn def
These diets are based on unrefined
If fermented, the phytate content is reduced,
the microbial phytase enzymes break down
the phytic acid into smaller cpds, that can
not interfere with Zn absorption.

 Competitive interactions between

Zn and Cu & Zn and Fe
Breast milk is a good source with 41%
absorption, Zn is bound to citrate
Zn in BM is 2.3mg at early lactation
1.0mg by 3 months
1.0 0.5 by 7 months
Cow milk inhibits, bound to casein, as
such, absorption is 28%