Zinc in the Body
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Transcript of Zinc in the Body
Essential trace elements for humans, animals and plants
Naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement
Involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism
Required for the catalytic activity of approximately 100 enzymes
Average Adult Body: 1.4-2.5 g Zn Typically found in bone, prostate, choroid of
the eye 90% total body zinc are found in the bone
and skeletal system 0.5% total body zinc are found in the blood Plasma zinc level: 75 – 120 ug/dL
An essential component of several metalloenzymes
Development of male reproductive functions and formation of testosterone
An accelerator of wound healing and for a normal sense of taste
Vital for the immune system
Vital for growth and cell division
Vital for vision
Hydrolization
Zinc must separate from the amino acids which takes place in the stomach
Absorption
It occurs along the upper jejunum which comes from food or from enteropancreatic circulation of endogenous zinc,
Zinc may pass to the enterocytes by passive diffusion (at very high intestinal concentrations)
Absorption Enhancers
The presence of substances that bind with zinc and help carry it across to the enterocytes enahnce zinc absorption
Presence of glucose, lactose, soy protein, meat protein, Vitamin C, glutamate, citrate
Amino acids: histidine, cysteine, methionine
Absorption Inhibitors
Absorption of zinc decreases with fiber, phytate, copper, calcium, phosporus, cadmium, casein
Transport and Storage
It is carried through the bloodstream bound to albumin and taken to the liver before redistribution to other tissues.
Zinc that is not needed immediately is stored throughout the body.
Excretion
It is excreted through feces. Significant amounts are lost from the urine, hair loss, and sweating.
The major sources of zinc are found in animal foods like:
o Milko Beef meato Livero Oysterso Eggso Crimni mushroomso Spinacho Pumpkin seedso Green Peaso Nutso Legumeso Whole grain cerealso Wheat and branNote: Availability is less in plants sources.. Food processing removes a
large proportion of zinc as well as other trace elements.
Zinc deficiency is characterized by:
retardation
loss of appetite
impaired immune function
alopecia
diarrhea
delayed sexual maturation
Impotence in males
eye and skin lesions
People with gastrointestinal and other diseases
Vegetarians
Pregnant and lactating women
Older infants who are exclusively breastfed
People with sickle cell disease
Alcoholics
Acute adverse effects of high zinc intake include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and headaches.
It has an effect of decrease in HDL-cholesterol in adult males.
Associated with inhalation of zinc chloride from industrial pollution, causing loss of iron from the liver and a loss of copper.