Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral, it is naturally present in foods such as meat, fish and dairy products. A normal diet provides 10-15mg of zinc/day. It is involved in many aspects of cellular metabolism. It is required for the catalytic activity of many enzymes, it is important in strengthening immune function, protein and DNA synthesis, wound healing and cell division. It is also important in maintaining pregnancy without complications, in the growth and development of children and adolescents.

The total amount of zinc in the body in women is about 1.5g, and in men 2.5g. Most zinc is deposited in skeletal muscles and bones. The processes that maintain zinc homeostasis are absorption from food and excretion into the gastrointestinal tract, as well as reabsorption in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. Copper significantly affects the absorption of zinc through competition for binding sites on albumins in the blood plasma. Zinc is mostly excreted from the body through feces, and to a lesser extent through urine or heavy sweating. Tissues and fluids rich in zinc are: prostate, seminal fluid, liver, kidneys, retina, bones and muscles. The content of this mineral is also high in the beta cells of the pancreas, where it forms complexes with proinsulin and insulin, so it is believed that zinc provides insulin storage.

Reference values for zinc:

Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for Zinc

Age	Male	Female	Pregnancy	Lactation
0-6 months	2 mg	2 mg
7-12 months	3 mg	3 mg
1-3 years	3 mg	3 mg
4-8 years	5 mg	5 mg
9-13 years	8 mg	8 mg
14-18 years	11 mg	9 mg	12 mg	13 mg
19+ years	11 mg	8 mg	11 mg	12 mg

Zinc deficiency (hypozincemia): Zinc has many functions in the human body, so zinc deficiency affects various tissues and organs. Zinc deficiency can lead to problems with the skin, digestive tract, reproductive system, central nervous system, and immune system. In infants and children, the symptoms of zinc deficiency are diarrhea, alopecia, stunted growth and development, loss of appetite, frequent infections, and they may have problems with the reproductive system in adulthood. Lack of zinc can interfere with the senses of taste and smell, and in elderly people it can lead to more difficult epithelization of the skin and wound healing, as well as to problems in the functioning of the central nervous system (problems with cognitive and psychological functions). Hypozincemia occurs very often during pregnancy, because part of the zinc is taken over by the fetus, so supplementation during pregnancy is completely justified. Other diseases that lead to a low concentration of this mineral are: acute tuberculosis, myocardial infarction, liver cirrhosis, leukemia, pernicious anemia.

Zinc excess (hyperzincemia): Zinc excess or hyperzincemia is rare and is most often found in hypertension, eosinophilia, multiple myeloma and megaloblastic anemias. The body has the ability to save zinc, similar to iron. Many believe that zinc deficiency is very common and that zinc therapy should be as important as iron therapy.

The effect of zinc on prostate health: Prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia represent a major health problem in middle-aged and elderly men. It is believed that a large number of factors influence the development of this disease, such as genetic factors, a diet with a high fat content, and the use of certain medications. Many studies report how benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer may be associated with low tissue or plasma zinc concentrations and increased urinary zinc concentrations. Therefore, zinc as a strong antioxidant is recommended as a prevention or aid in the treatment of prostate disease.

Zinc

References