Zinc is important for several cellular functions, including immunity. Investigators have used zinc supplementation to impact the outcomes of several diseases. The objective of these efforts has been either to support immunity through zinc administration or to improve the zinc dependent immune functions in individuals with zinc deficiency.

In this review article, latest findings of zinc supplementation in several diseases are demonstrated. Favorable therapeutic response of zinc supplementation has been witnessed in the children who have diarrhea, common cold, chronic hepatitis C, pneumonia, leprosy, shigellosis, tuberculosis, acute lower respiratory tract infection and leishmaniasis. Zinc supplementation was effective in reducing the occurrences of infections in the elderly people, in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and reducing the frequencies of respiratory tract infections in children as well. Supplementation of zinc has also prevented blindness in almost 25% of the elderly people with AMD of dry type. Supplementation of zinc was also effective in reducing oxidative stress and production of inflammatory cytokines for example TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in elderly people and SCD patients. Zinc plays a role of an intracellular signal molecule for immune cells.

In conclusion, zinc supplementation can successfully be used as a therapeutic and preventive agent for several conditions.

Source: Prasad AS. Zinc: role in immunity, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2009; 12(6):646-652. doi:10.1097/MCO.0b013e3283312956