Zinc plays important roles in growth and development, the immune response, neurological function, and reproduction. On the cellular level, the function of zinc can be catalytic, structural, and regulatory (2).
Nearly 100 different enzymes depend on zinc for their ability to increase the speed (‘catalyze’) of vital chemical reactions (3).
Zinc plays an important role in the structure of proteins (e.g., antioxidant enzyme) and cell membranes (4, 5). Loss of zinc from biological membranes increases their susceptibility to oxidative damage and impairs their function (5).
Zinc-stabilized proteins have been found to regulate gene expression by acting as ‘transcription factors’, binding to DNA and influencing the expression of specific genes.
Zinc also plays a role in cell signaling and has been found to influence hormone release and nerve impulse transmission, for example, in tasting and smelling (6).
Additionally, zinc has been found to play a role in programmed cell death (‘apoptosis’), regulating cellular growth and development, as well as a number of chronic diseases (7).
Taking large quantities of zinc (50 mg/day or more) over a period of weeks can decrease copper absorption by bowel (‘intestinal’) cells (4).
Supplemental but not dietary levels of iron (38–65 mg/day) may decrease zinc absorption (8) ― a point of concern in the management of iron supplementation during pregnancy and breast-feeding (‘lactation’) (9, 10).
High levels of dietary calcium impair zinc absorption in animals, but it is uncertain whether this occurs in humans (11, 12).
The bioavailability of dietary vitamin B9 (folate) is increased by the action of a zinc-dependent enzyme, suggesting a possible interaction between zinc and folic acid (4).
Zinc is a component of a vitamin A (retinol)-binding protein, necessary for transporting vitamin A in the blood. Zinc is also required for the enzyme that converts retinol to retinal, which is necessary for the synthesis of a protein in the eye (‘rhodopsin’) that absorbs light and thus is involved in dark adaptation. Zinc deficiency is associated with decreased release of vitamin A from the liver, which may contribute to symptoms of night blindness that are seen with zinc deficiency (13, 14).
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which provides scientific advice to assist policy makers, has confirmed that clear health benefits have been established for the dietary intake of zinc in contributing to:
Authored by Dr Peter Engel in 2010, reviewed by Giorgio La Fata on 29.09.2017
