Journal Article•
Zinc and its importance for human health: An integrative review.
TL;DR: A review on zinc biochemical and physiological functions, metabolism including, absorption, excretion, and homeostasis, zinc bio-availability (inhibitors and enhancers), human requirement, groups at high-risk, consequences and causes of zinc deficiency, evaluation of zinc status, and prevention strategies of zinc deficiencies are provided.
Abstract: Since its first discovery in an Iranian male in 1961, zinc deficiency in humans is now known to be an important malnutrition problem world-wide. It is more prevalent in areas of high cereal and low animal food consumption. The diet may not necessarily be low in zinc, but its bio-availability plays a major role in its absorption. Phytic acid is the main known inhibitor of zinc. Compared to adults, infants, children, adolescents, pregnant, and lactating women have increased requirements for zinc and thus, are at increased risk of zinc depletion. Zinc deficiency during growth periods results in growth failure. Epidermal, gastrointestinal, central nervous, immune, skeletal, and reproductive systems are the organs most affected clinically by zinc deficiency. Clinical diagnosis of marginal Zn deficiency in humans remains problematic. So far, blood plasma/serum zinc concentration, dietary intake, and stunting prevalence are the best known indicators of zinc deficiency. Four main intervention strategies for combating zinc deficiency include dietary modification/diversification, supplementation, fortification, and bio-fortification. The choice of each method depends on the availability of resources, technical feasibility, target group, and social acceptance. In this paper, we provide a review on zinc biochemical and physiological functions, metabolism including, absorption, excretion, and homeostasis, zinc bio-availability (inhibitors and enhancers), human requirement, groups at high-risk, consequences and causes of zinc deficiency, evaluation of zinc status, and prevention strategies of zinc deficiency.
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: The latest progress in studies of iron metabolism and bioavailability is discussed, and the current understanding of human iron requirement and consequences and causes of iron deficiency is discussed.
Abstract: It is well-known that deficiency or over exposure to various elements has noticeable effects on human health. The effect of an element is determined by several characteristics, including absorption, metabolism, and degree of interaction with physiological processes. Iron is an essential element for almost all living organisms as it participates in a wide variety of metabolic processes, including oxygen transport, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis, and electron transport. However, as iron can form free radicals, its concentration in body tissues must be tightly regulated because in excessive amounts, it can lead to tissue damage. Disorders of iron metabolism are among the most common diseases of humans and encompass a broad spectrum of diseases with diverse clinical manifestations, ranging from anemia to iron overload, and possibly to neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss the latest progress in studies of iron metabolism and bioavailability, and our current understanding of human iron requirement and consequences and causes of iron deficiency. Finally, we discuss strategies for prevention of iron deficiency.
1,208 citations
Cites background from "Zinc and its importance for human h..."
...The importance of various minerals as zinc[115] and iron needs more a ention at individual and public health levels....
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TL;DR: This 11th edition of the book Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, featuring the work of more than 190 expert authors and divided into five parts, fully explains and encapsulates the fundamentals of nutrition and its role in contemporary society.
Abstract: This 11th edition of the book Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, featuring the work of more than 190 expert authors and divided into five parts, fully explains and encapsulates the fundamentals of nutrition and its role in contemporary society, from mastering the basic science of nutrient metabolism and function to applying nutritional concepts to combat human disease. Part I comprehensively covers specific dietary components, including major dietary constituents, minerals, vitamins and other Other CABI sites
1,105 citations
TL;DR: This poster presents a poster presented at the 2015 United Nations General Assembly of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) entitled “On the Road to Sustainable Development: Foundations of Reproductive Health and Research, 2nd Ed.”
536 citations
Cites background from "Zinc and its importance for human h..."
...Decision-making and formulation of recommendations were based on a number of criteria including evidence on harms and benefits, values, resources, equity, acceptability and feasibility.7 Since the launch of the WHO ANC model, also known as focused (FANC) or basic ANC (BANC), ANC utilisation has increased in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)....
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...Zinc deficiency is associated with impaired immunity (39)....
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...The prevalence of stunting may be a good indicator of zinc deficiency in LMICs (39)....
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...Vitamin C intake enhances iron absorption from the gut; however, zinc, iron and other mineral supplements may compete for absorption, and it is unclear whether such interactions have health consequences (39)....
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TL;DR: Investigations on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of zinc in modulating the wound healing process and how these findings can be translated into future clinical management of wound healing are discussed.
Abstract: Wound care is a major healthcare expenditure. Treatment of burns, surgical and trauma wounds, diabetic lower limb ulcers and skin wounds is a major medical challenge with current therapies largely focused on supportive care measures. Successful wound repair requires a series of tightly coordinated steps including coagulation, inflammation, angiogenesis, new tissue formation and extracellular matrix remodelling. Zinc is an essential trace element (micronutrient) which plays important roles in human physiology. Zinc is a cofactor for many metalloenzymes required for cell membrane repair, cell proliferation, growth and immune system function. The pathological effects of zinc deficiency include the occurrence of skin lesions, growth retardation, impaired immune function and compromised would healing. Here, we discuss investigations on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of zinc in modulating the wound healing process. Knowledge gained from this body of research will help to translate these findings into future clinical management of wound healing.
261 citations
Cites background from "Zinc and its importance for human h..."
...It is important for human health and disease due to its critical roles in growth and development, bone metabolism, the central nervous system, immune function and wound healing [2]....
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TL;DR: The potential of zinc as preventive and therapeutic agent alone or in combination with other strategies, as zinc meets all the above described criteria is discussed.
Abstract: During the current corona pandemic, new therapeutic options against this viral disease are urgently desired. Due to the rapid spread and immense number of affected individuals worldwide, cost-effective, globally available, and safe options with minimal side effects and simple application are extremely warranted. This review will therefore discuss the potential of zinc as preventive and therapeutic agent alone or in combination with other strategies, as zinc meets all the above described criteria. While a variety of data on the association of the individual zinc status with viral and respiratory tract infections are available, study evidence regarding COVID-19 is so far missing but can be assumed as was indicated by others and is detailed in this perspective, focusing on re-balancing of the immune response by zinc supplementation. Especially, the role of zinc in viral-induced vascular complications has barely been discussed, so far. Interestingly, most of the risk groups described for COVID-19 are at the same time groups that were associated with zinc deficiency. As zinc is essential to preserve natural tissue barriers such as the respiratory epithelium, preventing pathogen entry, for a balanced function of the immune system and the redox system, zinc deficiency can probably be added to the factors predisposing individuals to infection and detrimental progression of COVID-19. Finally, due to its direct antiviral properties, it can be assumed that zinc administration is beneficial for most of the population, especially those with suboptimal zinc status.
247 citations
References
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TL;DR: The DRIs represent the new approach adopted by the Food and Nutrition Board to providing quantitative estimates of nutrient intakes for use in a variety of settings, replacing and expanding on the past 50 years of periodic updates and revisions of the Recommended Dietary Allowances.
Abstract: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) represent the new approach adopted by the Food and Nutrition Board to providing quantitative estimates of nutrient intakes for use in a variety of settings, replacing and expanding on the past 50 years of periodic updates and revisions of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). The DRI activity is a comprehensive effort undertaken to include current concepts about the role of nutrients and food components in long-term health, going beyond deficiency diseases. The DRIs consist of 4 reference intakes: the RDA, which is to be used as a goal for the individual; the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), which is given to assist in advising individuals what levels of intake may result in adverse effects if habitually exceeded; the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), the intake level at which the data indicate that the needs for 50% of those consuming it will not be met; and the Adequate Intake (AI), a level judged by the experts developing the reference intakes to meet the needs of all individuals in a group, but which is based on much less data and substantially more judgment than that used in establishing an EAR and subsequently the RDA. When an RDA cannot be set, an AI is given. Both are to be used as goals for an individual. Two reports have been issued providing DRIs for nutrients and food components reviewed to date: these include calcium and its related nutrients: phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, and fluoride; and most recently, folate, the B vitamins, and choline. The approaches used to determine the DRIs, the reference values themselves, and the plans for future nutrients and food components are discussed. J Am Diet Assoc. 1998;98: 699–706 .
5,266 citations
Book•
01 Sep 1993
TL;DR: The fourth edition of Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease follows the organization established in previous volumes, i.e., "Normal Nutrition," "Nutrition in Disease," and "Nut Nutrition in Periods of Physiologic Stress" Each of the 43 chapters is, in essence, a review of a given topic, with primary emphasis on nutritional principles rather than dietetics as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The fourth edition of Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease follows the organization established in previous volumes, ie, "Normal Nutrition," "Nutrition in Disease," and "Nutrition in Periods of Physiologic Stress" Each of the 43 chapters is, in essence, a review of a given topic, with primary emphasis on nutritional principles rather than dietetics Three new chapters have been added, two under "Normal Nutrition" and one under "Nutrition in Disease" These are (1) "Naturally Occurring Toxic Foods" by Mickelsen and Yang; (2) "Evaluation of Nutrition in Population Groups" by Pearson; and (3) "Nutrition in Brain Function" by Coursin All are timely, well-written additions to the book The rest of the volume has been revised extensively, and 12 new authors are listed In spite of the expansion in content, the fourth edition contains 20 fewer pages than the previous one, but this was accomplished by increasing the size of the page by
2,968 citations
TL;DR: Plant breeding strategy (e.g., genetic biofortification) appears to be a most sustainable and cost-effective approach useful in improving Zn concentrations in grain, and application of Zn fertilizers or Zn-enriched NPK fertilizers offers a rapid solution to the problem.
Abstract: Zinc deficiency is a well-documented problem in food crops, causing decreased crop yields and nutritional quality. Generally, the regions in the world with Zn-deficient soils are also characterized by widespread Zn deficiency in humans. Recent estimates indicate that nearly half of world population suffers from Zn deficiency. Cereal crops play an important role in satisfying daily calorie intake in developing world, but they are inherently very low in Zn concentrations in grain, particularly when grown on Zn-deficient soils. The reliance on cereal-based diets may induce Zn deficiency-related health problems in humans, such as impairments in physical development, immune system and brain function. Among the strategies being discussed as major solution to Zn deficiency, plant breeding strategy (e.g., genetic biofortification) appears to be a most sustainable and cost-effective approach useful in improving Zn concentrations in grain. The breeding approach is, however, a long-term process requiring a substantial effort and resources. A successful breeding program for biofortifying food crops with Zn is very much dependent on the size of plant-available Zn pools in soil. In most parts of the cereal-growing areas, soils have, however, a variety of chemical and physical problems that significantly reduce availability of Zn to plant roots. Hence, the genetic capacity of the newly developed (biofortified) cultivars to absorb sufficient amount of Zn from soil and accumulate it in the grain may not be expressed to the full extent. It is, therefore, essential to have a short-term approach to improve Zn concentration in cereal grains. Application of Zn fertilizers or Zn-enriched NPK fertilizers (e.g., agronomic biofortification) offers a rapid solution to the problem, and represents useful complementary approach to on-going breeding programs. There is increasing evidence showing that foliar or combined soil+foliar application of Zn fertilizers under field conditions are highly effective and very practical way to maximize uptake and accumulation of Zn in whole wheat grain, raising concentration up to 60 mg Zn kg−1. Zinc-enriched grains are also of great importance for crop productivity resulting in better seedling vigor, denser stands and higher stress tolerance on potentially Zn-deficient soils. Agronomic biofortification strategy appears to be essential in keeping sufficient amount of available Zn in soil solution and maintaining adequate Zn transport to the seeds during reproductive growth stage. Finally, agronomic biofortification is required for optimizing and ensuring the success of genetic biofortification of cereal grains with Zn. In case of greater bioavailability of the grain Zn derived from foliar applications than from soil, agronomic biofortification would be a very attractive and useful strategy in solving Zn deficiency-related health problems globally and effectively.
1,743 citations
"Zinc and its importance for human h..." refers background in this paper
...Increasing evidence is available indicating that soil and/or foliar applications of zinc fertilizers greatly contribute to grain zinc concentrations.[104] In the past, numerous studies have been published on the role of soil- and foliar-applied zinc fertilizers in order to correct zinc deficiency and increase yield....
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...There are several reports on combined applications of zinc fertilizers together with organic materials (like farmyard manure and green manures) being particularly effective in facilitating zinc uptake by roots and correcting zinc deficiency.[104]...
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...in Turkey, especially, in rural areas where wheat provides more than 50% of the daily calorie intake.[104] Little...
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Book•
01 Jan 2006
TL;DR: Food fortification has the dual advantage of being able to deliver nutrients to large segments of the population without requiring radical changes in food consumption patterns.
Abstract: Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations PA N I S F I A T G u id e in e s o n fo o d fo r tific atio n w th m ic r o n u tr ie n ts Interest in micronutrient malnutrition has increased greatly over the last few years. One of the main reasons is the realization that micronutrient malnutrition contributes substantially to the global burden of disease. Furthermore, although micronutrient malnutrition is more frequent and severe in the developing world and among disadvantaged populations, it also represents a public health problem in some industrialized countries. Measures to correct micronutrient deficiencies aim at ensuring consumption of a balanced diet that is adequate in every nutrient. Unfortunately, this is far from being achieved everywhere since it requires universal access to adequate food and appropriate dietary habits. Food fortification has the dual advantage of being able to deliver nutrients to large segments of the population without requiring radical changes in food consumption patterns.
1,338 citations
"Zinc and its importance for human h..." refers methods in this paper
...Molar ratios in excess of 15: 1 according to World Health Organization (WHO),[36] or 18:1 according to International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group (IZiNCG)[11] progressively inhibit zinc absorption and have been associated with suboptimal zinc status in humans....
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: This chapter discusses zinc Nutrition, which focuses on dietary requirements and recommended intakes for zinc, and causes of zinc deficiency and groups at high risk.
Abstract: Chapter 1: Overview of Zinc Nutrition ............................................................................................................... S99 1.1 Biological functions of zinc ............................................................................................................................. S99 1.2 Tissue zinc distribution and reserves .............................................................................................................. S99 1.3 Zinc metabolism ........................................................................................................................................... S100 1.4 Importance of zinc for human health........................................................................................................... S101 1.5 Human zinc requirements............................................................................................................................. S105 1.5.1 Adult men ............................................................................................................................................. S106 1.5.2 Adult women......................................................................................................................................... S109 1.5.3 Children ................................................................................................................................................ S110 1.5.4 Pregnancy.............................................................................................................................................. S111 1.5.5 Lactation ............................................................................................................................................... S112 1.6 Dietary sources of zinc and suggested revisions of Recommended Daily Intakes .................................... S112 1.6.1 Dietary sources of zinc and factors affecting the proportion of zinc available for absorption ........ S112 1.6.2 Revised estimates of dietary requirements and recommended intakes for zinc ............................... S114 1.7 Zinc toxicity.................................................................................................................................................... S118 1.8 Causes of zinc deficiency and groups at high risk ....................................................................................... S121 1.9 Summary ........................................................................................................................................................ S123
1,280 citations
"Zinc and its importance for human h..." refers methods in this paper
...Molar ratios in excess of 15: 1 according to World Health Organization (WHO),[36] or 18:1 according to International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group (IZiNCG)[11] progressively inhibit zinc absorption and have been associated with suboptimal zinc status in humans....
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...[6,10,11]...
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