Researchers Outline Benefits of Zinc on The Human Body (Photo : Flickr)
Researchers from the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) outlined the eight major benefits of zinc for humans including better cardiovascular systems, immunity and brain health

Researchers have always upheld zinc as a vital element in various psychological processes. However, a new study by researchers from the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) highlights that this mineral is not just beneficial for the brain but also the body.

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All adults contain about two to three grams of zinc in their body. This mineral is found in organs, tissues, bones, fluids, and cells. After reviewing several previously conducted studies, researchers of the current project highlighted the top eight benefits of zinc.

Zinc Good For the Brain

The first body part that benefits from zinc is the brain. Researchers pointed out that this mineral acts as an antidepressant. It was also found that patients with mental disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease tend to have lower levels of zinc. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison made similar findings in a study conducted last year. Proteins in the body need to be in the right shape to perform their functions smoothly. Disfigured proteins can cease to function and start clumping together, leading to mental issues like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Zinc plays an important role in holing proteins in the correct shape and inadequate amount of this mineral increase the risk of mental health problems.

Zinc And the Heart

Zinc was also found to enhance the cardiovascular system of a person. This mineral is responsible for regulating arterial blood pressure. The findings supported a 2007 study that drew a similar conclusion. People with lower levels of zinc are at an increased risk of hypertension.

A deficiency in zinc also increases the risk of Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and other chronic liver disease. A 2005 study suggested a similar association. However, a 1996 study pointed out that excess zinc in the body also increases the risk of severe chronic liver disease.

"We believe there is a strong association between this severe chronic liver disease that ultimately causes the organ to cease functioning, and the presence of zinc and copper in the livers of the children we studied. What we don't know is if it's due to zinc and copper together or zinc alone," study authors said in a press statement. "The excess copper may be due to stoppage of bile excretions over an extended period, but the excess zinc is unexplained. Since three of the patients are related, a genetic disorder of metal metabolism is considered likely. At the same time, we cannot exclude environmental factors such as the water supply or the food chain."

Zinc And Pregnancy

Even mild deficiency in zinc during pregnancy can have dire consequences including maternal morbidity, abnormal taste sensation, prolonged gestation, inefficient labor, atonic bleeding, and an increased risk to fetus. In a 2013 report, the World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out that maternal zinc deficiency may compromise infant development and lead to poor birth outcomes.

Zinc's Myriad Benefits

Zinc is also effective in keeping type-2 diabetes at bay. In type 2 diabetes, a protein called amylin forms dense clumps that shut down insulin-producing cells, wreaking havoc on the control of blood sugar. But zinc has a knack for preventing amylin from misbehaving. University of Michigan researcher reported similar findings in 2011.

Researchers also noted that zinc deficiency is often observed in geriatric patients. It reduces activity of the thymus gland and thymic hormones, decreases response to vaccinations, and reduces immunity. A study conducted in May this year found that zinc supplements might boost a child's immune system, keeping diarrhea and other infections at bay.

Zinc is also known to help heal wounds faster and is crucial to the healing of gastric ulcers especially at the early stage. A report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association stated that orally-administered zinc sulfate healed surgical wound three to four times faster.

The current study also highlighted that this mineral is very effective in shortening the duration of severe pneumonia and time in the hospital. While many studies have supported this finding, a 2012 study reported otherwise. The study did not show a statistically significant reduction in duration of severe pneumonia, or reduction in hospital stay for children given daily zinc supplementation along with standard antimicrobial therapy.

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for zinc is around 11 mg/day for men and 8 mg/day for women (12 mg/day for breastfeeding women), according to a Mayo Clinic report. Foods with high protein content, specifically animal protein, are major sources of zinc in the human diet. Zinc can also be used as fortification for other foods as well. Zinc is an essential micronutrient for numerous cellular processes. But taking too much zinc can also be a concern, because in excess it can interfere with the absorption of other important nutrients such as iron and copper.

The current study was published online in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety.


Researchers Outline Benefits of Zinc for The Human Body
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