Zinc Deficiency

Abstract

Zinc is an essential mineral for human health. 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. Zinc is involved in many aspects of cellular metabolism. It is required for the catalytic activity of hundreds of enzymes, and it plays a role in enhancing immune function, protein and DNA synthesis, wound healing, cell signaling and division. The processes that maintain zinc homeostasis are absorption of zinc from the diet, excretion into the gastrointestinal tract, and reabsorption in the gastrointestinal lumen. Because zinc has many functions throughout the body, zinc deficiency affects many different tissues and organs. The diet may not necessarily be low in zinc, but its bioavailability plays a major role in its absorption. Four main intervention strategies for combating zinc deficiency include dietary modification/diversification, supplementation, fortification, and bio-fortification.