Zinc in human body pdf

It is the first element of group 12 of the periodic table. Benefits, deficiency, food sources and side effects. The normal concentration of zinc in human blood serum and. Zinc is generally found in strong muscles of the body. In our studies in an experimental human model of zinc deficiency. It is found in several systems and biological reactions, and it is needed for immune function, wound healing, blood clotting, thyroid function, and much more. In fact, zinc is the secondmostabundant trace mineral in your body after iron and is present in every cell 2. Specifically, both the processes of absorption of exogenous zinc and gastrointestinal secretion and excretion of endogenous zinc are critical to whole body zinc homeostasis. Only a small intake of zinc is necessary to reap the benefits.

Meats, seafood, dairy products, nuts, legumes, and whole grains offer relatively high levels of zinc. In spite of the proven benefits of adequate zinc nutrition. The total body zinc content of adult humans ranges from about 1. Human zinc deficiency the journal of nutrition oxford. Many researchers were done to identify role of zinc in human body. Zinc is involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism. It also aids in regulating the production of cells that form the immune system of the body. The story of how zinc achieved acceptance is a very interesting one. Today we know that zinc plays many important roles. Since there are no storing systems for zinc in the body, zinc has to be ingested daily and the homeostasis has to be regulated accurately. In its pure elemental or metallic form, zinc is a bluishwhite shiny metal. Pdf a potential medicinal importance of zinc in human health and. Zinc sulfate is used to treat and to prevent zinc deficiency zinc sulfate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Copper and zinc, biological role and significance of copperzinc imbalance josko osredkar1 and natasa sustar2 1university medical centre ljubljana, zaloska cesta 2, ljubljana, slovenia 2general hospital izola, polje 40, 6310 izola, slovenia introduction.

In spite of the proven benefits of adequate zinc nutrition, approximately 2 billion people still remain risk of zinc deficiency. He observed that zinc was required for the growth of aspergillus niger. Zinc is a nutrient that plays many vital roles in your body. Zinc is a trace element that is essential for regulating the immune system. It is needed for the bodys defensive immune system to properly work. January 7, 2010, c kapoor, comments off on benefits of zinc. Keep an immune system functioning properly by adding zinc to a diet with. Zinc is also found in many cold lozenges and some overthecounter drugs sold as cold remedies. It can be found in a range of foods, including seafood. It plays a role in cell division, cell growth, wound healing, and the breakdown of carbohydrates zinc is also needed for the senses of smell and taste.

Although the essentiality of zinc for plants and animals has been known for many decades, the essentiality of zinc for humans was recognized only 40 years ago in the middle east. The total body zinc content has been estimated to be 30 mmol 2 g. The zinc in such foods is more bioavailable, meaning your body can more readily absorb and use it due to animal proteins improving zinc absorption. A normal nonvegetarian diet furnishing sufficient protein will also have enough zinc. Technique for determination of human zinc absorption from measurement of radioactivity in a fecal sample or the body k.

Powdered zinc is explosive and may burst into flames if stored in damp places. So far, blood plasmaserum zinc concentration, dietary intake, and stunting. The last few years have witnessed the earnest recognition of the vital role of micronutrients in human. Overview of zinc absorption and excretion in the human. Zinc is necessary for the activity of over 300 enzymes that aid in metabolism, digestion, nerve function and many other processes 3. In contrast to the other two metals, for which no role in human physiology is known, zinc is an essential trace element not only for humans, but for. Zinc absorbed from the intestine is carried to the liver bound to albumin zinc is present in the human body in the concentration of 0.

Zinc is an essential mineral that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. Zinc is widely distributed in both animal and vegetable foods. Eight ways zinc affects the human body sciencedaily. However, if a person has a poor diet, they are more likely.

Valberg departments of medicine and nuclear medicine, university hospital and the university of. Skeletal muscle accounts for approximately 60 percent of the total body content and bone mass, with a zinc concentration of 1. However, since a decrease in the serum concentration is only detectable after longterm or severe depletion, serum zinc is not a reliable biomarker for zinc status. Zinc is regularly associated with optimal testosterone levels, and it is often included in food supplements designed to support optimal levels of the male hormone. Zinc is a vital mineral that your body uses in countless ways. The national institutes of health say zinc deficiency is rare in the united states. Not long ago scientists derided the premise that zinc played a role in human health.

Zinc is not only a vital element in various physiological processes. Clinical diagnosis of marginal zn deficiency in humans remains problematic. It is vital for many biological functions in the human body. The emerging role of zinc transporters in cellular. Introduction zinc, a divalent cation, atomic no30 essential micronutrient role of zinc over 300 metalloenzymes and over 2000 transcription for regulation of lipid, protein and nucleic acid metabolism, and gene transcription. Zinc is also a necessary element for proper growth and development of humans, animals, and plants. It is present in all parts of the body including organs, tissues, bones, fluids and cells. Semen is particularly rich in zinc, a key factor in prostate gland function and reproductive organ growth. The body of healthy human adults contains 2 to 3 g of zinc and requires around 15 mg of dietary zinc per day. Copper and zinc, biological role and significance of.

In 1934 the essentiality of zinc for rats was shown 2. Zinc is an essential element in the nutrition of human beings, animals, and plants. Zinc is a chemical element with the atomic number 30, represented by the chemical symbol zn linus pauling institute. Central to maintenance of zinc homeostasis, however, is the gastrointestinal system, especially the small intestine, liver and pancreas. Particularly in developing countries, zinc deficiency is regarded as an important public health issue by scientists 1. There is no information on the taste and odor of metallic zinc. Zinc is the second most abundant transition metal in the human body. The body uses zinc for several important processes. The zincdeficient patients had severe immune dysfunctions, inasmuch as they died of intercurrent infections by the time they were 25 years of age. Weve already deduced that zinc plays an important role in many bodily processes, and its one of the micronutrients the human body needs for survival. Zinc deficiency is defined either as insufficient zinc to meet the needs of the body, or as a serum zinc level below the normal range. The recommended daily intake varies between 712mg of zinc. Zinc is a mineral that helps the bodys immune system by stimulating enzymes that help the body break down food.

Roughly 24 grams of zinc are distributed throughout the human body. From many points of view, zinc is one of the most important trace elements in biological systems. Zinc zn zn is a chemical element with symbol zn and atomic number 30. It is responsible for a number of functions in the human body, and it helps stimulate the activity of at least 100 different enzymes. The red and white blood cells, our bones, retina, kidneys, pancreas and liver all store zinc. The tenth most common element in the human body, zinc is vital for the functioning of more than. People at risk of zinc deficiency or inadequacy need to include good sources of zinc in their daily diets. Zinc is one of the most common elements in the earths crust. Plasma zinc was reduced significantly with increasing dose of iron. The zinc concentration of muscles varies with their metabolic functions.

Zinc is required in the genetic makeup of every cell and is an absolute requirement for all. This article explains everything you need to know about zinc, its functions, benefits, the risk of deficiency and potential side effects. Zinc is needed for the proper growth and maintenance of the human body. Zinc is an important mineral that is found in every single cell of the body. Relevance to child health in developing countries pages with reference to book, from 68 to 73 zulfiqar ahmed bhutta department of paediatrics, the aga khan university, karachi. For this reason, zinc requirements for dietary intake are adjusted upward for populations in which animal products, the best sources of zinc, are limited, and in which plant sources of zinc are similarly high in phytates.

The human body contains approximately three grams of zinc, the highest concentrations of which are located in the prostate gland and the eye. Although by the late 1950s it was well accepted that zinc was a necessary micronutrient for humans and abnormalities of human zinc metabolism had been observed, nutrition scientific opinion at that time tended to dismiss the likelihood of human zinc deficiency, especially of nutritional environmental origin. Human adults were administered 25 mg of zinc as zinc sulfate znso4 in water solution, and iron was added at 25, 50 or 75 mg. This element was discovered by german chemist andreas sigismund marggraf in 1746 at germany 4. Common symptoms include increased rates of diarrhea. It is relatively abundant in nature, yet at the same time, overwhelming data suggest that zinc deficiency is one of the most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies worldwide 1. Uses, side effects, interactions, dosage, and warning. The highest zinc concentrations are found in skeletal muscles that are highly oxidative.

Essential trace elements and their vital roles in human body. Zinc has critical effect in homeostasis, in immune function, in oxidative stress, in apoptosis, and in aging, and significant disorders of great public health. Lonnerdal used a dose of zinc similar to that obtained from most meals and studied zinc absorption by using radiolabeled zinc and wholebody counting. Zinc deficiency has been shown to effect the function of human growth hormone by. Most zinc is in the brain, muscle, bones, kidney, and liver, with the highest concentrations in the prostate and parts of the eye.

In 1961 importance of zinc for human body was recognized. Copper and zinc, biological role and significance of copper zinc imbalance josko osredkar1 and natasa sustar2 1university medical centre ljubljana, zaloska cesta 2, ljubljana, slovenia 2general hospital izola, polje 40, 6310 izola, slovenia introduction the human body has an elaborate system for managing and. In contrast, zincrich vegetarian foods, such as whole grains, are. Benefits, intake, sources, deficiency, and side effects. Subscribe to receive an email notification when a publication is added to this page. When zinc deficiency does occur, it is usually due to inadequate zinc intake or absorption, increased losses of zinc from the body, or increased requirements for zinc 29,30,37. For example, zinc is a part of the super oxide dismutase enzyme, so it also has a role as an antioxidant.