The importance of zinc was recognized decades ago. Deficiency of zinc has resulted in growth retardation, immune dysfunction, hypogonadism and cognitive impairment. Due to the high phytate content in the cereal proteins, which is consumed in the developing countries, there is decreased availability of zinc for absorption. Zinc treatment is a very successful and lifesaving step in patients with acrodermatitis enteropathica and Wilsons disease. Effective therapeutic responses of zinc supplementation are observed in acute diarrhea in children, shigellosis, chronic hepatitis C, leprosy, leishmaniasis and common cold.

Supplementation of zinc has been effective in reducing the occurrences of infection in elderly and patients with sickle cell disease. Zinc supplementation has been beneficial in preventing blindness in 25% of the elderly population who have dry type of age-related macular degeneration. Zinc supplementation in the elderly can reduce oxidative stress and also decrease the production of inflammatory cytokines. Zinc is an intracellular signaling molecule in monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. It plays an important role in oxidative stress and cell-mediated immune functions. Zinc is also known as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Zinc’s unique properties have significant therapeutic advantages in several diseases in humans. In several diseases, coexisting zinc deficiency can complicate the clinical features and adversely affect the immunological status, increase oxidative stress along with the production of inflammatory cytokines. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation play an important causative role in several chronic diseases, such as atherosclerosis, neurological disorders, various malignancies and auto-immune diseases. Thus, it is important to assess the status of zinc and zinc deficiency should be corrected timely in these chronic diseases.

Source: Prasad AS. Impact of the discovery of human zinc deficiency on health. J Am Coll Nutr. 2009;28(3):257-265. doi:10.1080/07315724.2009.10719780