Zinc: An Overview of Its Uses and Impacts on Health

1. Conditions Studied for Zinc Usage

Zinc has been studied for a variety of health conditions, including but not limited to:

• Common cold
• Diarrhea, especially in children
• Immune system enhancement
• Wound healing
• Acne
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Wilson's disease (a genetic disorder)

2. Effectiveness of Zinc in Treating Conditions

Research on the effectiveness of zinc shows mixed results:

• For the common cold, zinc lozenges may reduce the duration of colds when taken within 24 hours of onset.
• Zinc supplementation can help reduce the incidence and severity of diarrhea in children.
• It can support immune function, but it is not a guaranteed prevention for illness.
• Zinc aids in wound healing and may be beneficial in treating acne.
• There is evidence suggesting that zinc supplementation might slow the progression of AMD in high-risk individuals.
• Zinc is a critical treatment element for managing Wilson's disease.

3. Health Benefits of Zinc

Zinc is essential for various bodily functions and has several health benefits:

• Supports immune system function
• Plays a role in cell division and growth
• Essential for the senses of taste and smell
• Has antioxidant properties and helps protect cells from oxidative stress
• Involved in the synthesis of DNA and proteins

4. Potential Downsides of Zinc

While zinc is an essential mineral, there are potential downsides to its use, especially in excessive amounts:

• Too much zinc can lead to zinc toxicity, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and stomach cramps.
• Chronic high doses can interfere with the absorption of other essential minerals, such as copper, and lead to neurological issues.
• Long-term use of zinc nasal sprays can lead to a permanent loss of smell.

5. Zinc and Genetic Variations

Zinc's effects may vary based on individual genetic variations:

• People with Wilson's disease, a genetic disorder, benefit from zinc as it helps reduce copper accumulation in the body.
• Genetic differences in zinc transporters may affect the efficiency of zinc absorption and its distribution within the body.
• Individual genetic variations can influence susceptibility to zinc deficiency and the potential benefits or risks of supplementation.

Zinc and Health Research Summaries

Overview of Zinc in Dietary Reference Intakes

The National Academy of Sciences has updated dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for vitamins and minerals, including zinc. Recommendations are tailored to age and gender, and a Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for safe consumption is provided. Zinc is crucial for immune response, growth, and development, with deficiency leading to health issues.

Zinc Physiology and Fortification

Zinc is vital for enzyme function, protein structure, cellular signaling, and gene expression. Zinc fortification in cereal flours is deemed a safe method to combat zinc deficiency, with fortification levels varying by dietary conditions.

Zinc Supplementation and Health Outcomes

• Zinc supplementation does not improve oxidative stress or vascular function in type 2 diabetes patients with normal zinc levels.
• Oral or intranasal zinc may prevent respiratory tract infections and reduce symptom duration, but further research is needed.
• Zinc supplementation could potentially shorten the duration of a cold in healthy adults.
• Zinc lozenges at high doses can significantly reduce the duration of common colds.
• Zinc supplementation reduces mortality in severe pneumonia cases in children but does not significantly affect treatment failure rates or antibiotic changes.
• Zinc supplementation is associated with reduced incidence and prevalence of pneumonia in children aged 2 to 59 months.
• Zinc has potential in reducing the risk of developing depression and alleviating depressive symptoms as a monotherapy.
• Zinc supplementation might help reduce anger and depression in young women.
• Low-dose, long-duration zinc supplementation can improve risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Zinc supplementation may benefit inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in obese children.

Zinc Deficiency and Excess

• Zinc deficiency can worsen human anorexia.
• Excessive zinc intake weakens immune responses and negatively affects serum lipoprotein levels.
• Intranasal zinc gluconate can cause smell dysfunction, highlighting the need for FDA oversight on homeopathic medications.

Recommended Dietary Allowances and Zinc

The 10th edition of the Recommended Dietary Allowances provides guidelines for nutrient intake, including zinc, to maintain health and possibly reduce chronic disease risk.

Zinc and Nutrient Interactions

• Zinc interacts with iron, potentially leading to absorption issues when supplemented together.
• Zinc deficiency can quickly impact serum testosterone levels, semen volume, and the amount of zinc lost in semen among young men.
• Zinc in seminal plasma is negatively associated with male infertility related to asthenozoospermia.
• Zinc supplementation improves semen volume, sperm motility, and the percentage of sperm with normal morphology in infertile males.

Zinc Supplementation and HIV

• Zinc supplementation may delay immunological failure and reduce diarrhea in HIV-infected adults.
• Zinc supplementation could be beneficial as an additional treatment for AIDS patients.
• Zinc supplementation could be beneficial for adults with HIV in certain respects, but more research is necessary.

References:

1. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc
2. The biochemical basis of zinc physiology
3. Zinc fortification of cereal flours: current recommendations and research needs
4. Oral zinc supplementation does not improve oxidative stress or vascular function in patients with type 2 diabetes with normal zinc levels
5. Zinc for the prevention or treatment of acute viral respiratory tract infections in adults: a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
6. Zinc Supplementation Reduces Common Cold Duration among Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials with Micronutrients Supplementation
7. Zinc lozenges may shorten the duration of colds: a systematic review
8. Efficacy of zinc given as an adjunct to the treatment of severe pneumonia: A meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trials
9. Zinc supplementation for the prevention of pneumonia in children aged 2 months to 59 months
10. Zinc in depression: From development to treatment: A comparative/ dose response meta-analysis of observational studies and randomized controlled trials
11. Effect of zinc supplementation on mood states in young women: a pilot study
12. Effects of Dose and Duration of Zinc Interventions on Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
13. Effect of zinc supplementation on markers of insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation among prepubescent children with metabolic syndrome
14. Effect of zinc supplementation on insulin resistance and components of the metabolic syndrome in prepubertal obese children
15. Serum zinc levels and efficacy of zinc treatment in acne vulgaris: A systematic review and meta-analysis
16. Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulphur, zinc and fruit acid (alpha-hydroxy acid) for acne
17. Zinc for the common cold
18. Role of Zinc in Immune System and Anti-Cancer Defense Mechanisms
19. Interactions of iron with manganese, zinc, chromium, and selenium as related to prophylaxis and treatment of iron deficiency
20. Excessive intake of zinc impairs immune responses
21. The Bradford Hill criteria and zinc-induced anosmia: a causality analysis
22. Zinc in human health: effect of zinc on immune cells
23. Clinical, immunological, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant roles of zinc
24. Zinc decreases C-reactive protein, lipid peroxidation, and inflammatory cytokines in elderly subjects: a potential implication of zinc as an atheroprotective agent
25. Recommended Dietary Allowances: 10th Edition
26. Zinc and immunity: An essential interrelation
27. Zinc
28. Diet and Nutritional Factors in Male (In)fertility-Underestimated Factors
29. Zinc effects on NMDA receptor gating kinetics
30. Glutamate and depression: Reflecting a deepening knowledge of the gut and brain effects of a ubiquitous molecule
31. Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Physical and Psychological Symptoms, Biomarkers of Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Young Women with Premenstrual Syndrome: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
32. Zinc monotherapy increases serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and decreases depressive symptoms in overweight or obese subjects: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
33. Effects of pyridoxine on dreaming: a preliminary study
34. A synergistic effect of a daily supplement for 1 month of 200 mg magnesium plus 50 mg vitamin B6 for the relief of anxiety-related premenstrual symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study
35. Human zinc deficiency
36. Zinc and its importance for human health: An integrative review
37. Zinc Deficiency
38. Estimating the global prevalence of zinc deficiency: results based on zinc availability in national food supplies and the prevalence of stunting
39. Neurobiology of zinc-influenced eating behavior
40. Zinc deficiency in low- and middle-income countries: prevalence and approaches for mitigation
41. Prevalence of Zinc Deficiency in Healthy 1-3-Year-Old Children from Three Western European Countries
42. ISSN exercise & sports nutrition review update: research & recommendations
43. Effects of Zinc Magnesium Aspartate (ZMA) Supplementation on Training Adaptations and Markers of Anabolism and Catabolism
44. Serum testosterone and urinary excretion of steroid hormone metabolites after administration of a high-dose zinc supplement
45. Zinc is an essential trace element for spermatogenesis
46. Moderate zinc deficiency reduces testicular Zip6 and Zip10 abundance and impairs spermatogenesis in mice
47. Relationship between abnormal sperm morphology induced by dietary zinc deficiency and lipid composition in testes of growing rats
48. Correlation between serum zinc and testosterone: A systematic review
49. Effects of dietary zinc depletion on seminal volume and zinc loss, serum testosterone concentrations, and sperm morphology in young men
50. Association between seminal plasma zinc level and asthenozoospermia: a meta-analysis study
51. Zinc levels in seminal plasma and their correlation with male infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis
52. Effect of zinc administration on plasma testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and sperm count
53. Zinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adults
54. Effectiveness of Pharmacological Intervention Among Men with Infertility: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
55. Micronutrient levels and HIV disease status in HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy in the Nutrition for Healthy Living cohort
56. Zinc status in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection and illicit drug use
57. Relationship of serum copper and zinc levels to HIV-1 seropositivity and progression to AIDS
58. Randomized, controlled clinical trial of zinc supplementation to prevent immunological failure in HIV-infected adults
59. Benefit of oral zinc supplementation as an adjunct to zidovudine (AZT) therapy against opportunistic infections in AIDS
60. Efficacy and safety of zinc supplementation for adults, children and pregnant women with HIV infection: systematic review
61. Zinc inhibits nonheme iron bioavailability in humans
62. New insights about iron bioavailability inhibition by zinc
63. Adverse Effects of Excessive Zinc Intake in Infants and Children Aged 0-3 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
64. Supplemental zinc lowers measures of iron status in young women with low iron reserves
65. Competitive inhibition of iron absorption by manganese and zinc in humans
66. Effect of increasing concentrations of zinc on the absorption of iron from iron-fortified milk
67. Acute inhibition of iron bioavailability by zinc: studies in humans
68. Iron and Zinc Homeostasis and Interactions: Does Enteric Zinc Excretion Cross-Talk with Intestinal Iron Absorption?
69. Interactive effects of iron and zinc on biochemical and functional outcomes in supplementation trials
70. The relationship between libido and testosterone levels in aging men
71. Low total testosterone levels are associated with the metabolic syndrome in elderly men: the role of body weight, lipids, insulin resistance, and inflammation; the Ikaria study
72. High Rates of Depression and Depressive Symptoms among Men Referred for Borderline Testosterone Levels
73. Salivary testosterone: associations with depression, anxiety disorders, and antidepressant use in a large cohort study
74. Age trends in the level of serum testosterone and other hormones in middle-aged men: longitudinal results from the Massachusetts male aging study
75. Hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis disruptions in older men are differentially linked to age and modifiable risk factors: the European Male Aging Study
76. Age-specific population centiles for androgen status in men
77. Sleep deprivation lowers reactive aggression and testosterone in men
78. Effect of 1 week of sleep restriction on testosterone levels in young healthy men
79. Association between sleep and morning testosterone levels in older men
80. Sleep deprivation and adaptive hormonal responses of healthy men
81. Sleep deprivation reduces circulating androgens in healthy men
82. Insufficient sleep undermines dietary efforts to reduce adiposity
83. Acute and chronic effects of resistance exercise on the testosterone and cortisol responses in obese males: a systematic review
84. Hormonal responses and adaptations to resistance exercise and training
85. Relationship between stress hormones and testosterone with prolonged endurance exercise
86. Chronic Low Testosterone Levels in Endurance Trained Men: The Exercise- Hypogonadal Male Condition
87. Low testosterone in men with type 2 diabetes: significance and treatment
88. Characteristics of secondary, primary, and compensated hypogonadism in aging men: evidence from the European Male Ageing Study
89. Correlates of low testosterone and symptomatic androgen deficiency in a population-based sample
90. A Perspective on Middle-Aged and Older Men With Functional Hypogonadism: Focus on Holistic Management
91. Body weight loss reverts obesity-associated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: a systematic review and meta-analysis
92. Age-associated changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular function in middle-aged and older men are modified by weight change and lifestyle factors: longitudinal results from the European Male Ageing Study
93. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men
94. Association of vitamin D status with serum androgen levels in men
95. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D
96. Letter to Veugelers, P.J. and Ekwaru, J.P., A statistical error in the estimation of the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin D. Nutrients 2014, 6, 4472-4475; doi:10.3390/nu6104472
97. A statistical error in the estimation of the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin D
98. Correlation between serum testosterone level and concentrations of copper and zinc in hair tissue
99. Relationships between micronutrient losses in sweat and blood pressure among heat-exposed steelworkers
100. A randomized controlled trial of the effect of zinc as adjuvant therapy in children 2-35 mo of age with severe or nonsevere pneumonia in Bhaktapur, Nepal
101. Zinc-induced copper deficiency: a report of three cases initially recognized on bone marrow examination
102. Fatal copper deficiency from excessive use of zinc-based denture adhesive
103. The Interplay between Magnesium and Testosterone in Modulating Physical Function in Men
104. Role of Magnesium in Vitamin D Activation and Function
105. A review of magnesium intake in the elderly. A cause for concern?
106. Update on the relationship between magnesium and exercise
107. Excretion of sodium, potassium, magnesium and iron in human sweat and the relation of each to balance and requirements
108. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride
109. [Pharmacokinetic Studies of Orally Administered Magnesium Oxide in Rats]
110. Bioavailability of US commercial magnesium preparations
111. Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy of Oral Administration of Extracts of Black or Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Adult Human Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
112. Subjective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) extract on well-being and sexual performances in patients with mild erectile dysfunction: a randomised, double-blind clinical trial
113. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men
114. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women
115. The role and molecular mechanism of D-aspartic acid in the release and synthesis of LH and testosterone in humans and rats
116. Three and six grams supplementation of d-aspartic acid in resistance trained men
117. D-aspartic acid supplementation combined with 28 days of heavy resistance training has no effect on body composition, muscle strength, and serum hormones associated with the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis in resistance-trained men

Upload Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) raw DNA data today and take a deep dive into your genome!

Or if you only have standard microarray data currently, upload raw DNA data to get started with your free DNA raw data analysis today!