Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) is extensively used in clinical practice to assess the body composition of adults and children. The BIA is based on the principle that body tissues act as an electric circuit in steady state equilibrium and offers opposition to the electric current when applied to the circuit. The parameters that are derived from bioelectrical impedance, bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) and phase angle (PA) are associated with body cell mass and cell membrane integrity. Zinc is an important micronutrient exerting important structural functions and also acts in maintaining the cellular functionality.

The objective of the study is to assess the cell integrity and body cell mass, BIVA and PA in children who are orally supplemented with zinc at different concentrations. From two randomized, controlled and triple-blind clinical trials, anthropometric, bioelectrical (resistance and reactance) and serum zinc variables were collected. Random sampling was done of 71 children involving three groups: a control group received a placebo and two experimental groups received oral supplementation of 5 or 10 mg-zinc per day for three months.

The three groups reported increases in the linear height and weight. There was an increase in reactance values and PA along with vector displacement in relation to the confidence leaps in the group supplemented with 10 mg of zinc per day. Also, an increase in serum zinc concentration was observed in all three groups.

Thus, the study concluded that the supplementation with 10 mg zinc per day promotes changes in the integrity of the cell membrane. It is also associated with the increase in the cellular mass of healthy children.

Source: Vermeulen KM, Lopes MMGD, Alves CX, et al. Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis and Phase Angle on Different Oral Zinc Supplementation in Eutrophic Children: Randomized Triple-Blind Study. Nutrients. 2019 May 28;11(6):1215. doi: 10.3390/nu11061215. PMID: 31142044; PMCID: PMC6627540.