The micronutrient - ZINC

By
Anand.D
 This is how zinc looks!

 Itis a transition metal

 Bluish pale grey in
color
 SOURCES
Food Zinc (mg)
Oysters 76.3
Crab, Dungeness 4.7
Beef 6.0
Pork 2.2
Chicken (dark meat) 1.8
Turkey (dark meat) 3.8
Yogurt, fruit 1.8
Cheese, cheddar 0.9
Milk 1.8
Cashews 1.6
Almonds 1.0
Peanuts 0.9
Beans, baked 1.8
Chickpeas (garbanzo beans) 1.3
 Biological role – Zinc Intake
 CatalyticRole:
100 types of enzymes in our body
depends on zinc to catalyze vital chemical
reactions
Examples: peptidases, carbonic
anhydrases, alcohol dehydrogenases,
lactate dehydrogenase.,
 Biological role – Zinc Intake
 Structural Role:
Stabilizes the structure of proteins and cell
membranes
Ex: Zinc finger motif
 Fetal growth
 Biological role – Zinc Intake
 Regulatory Role:
Regulates gene expression
Immune system
Nerve transmission
Component of Retinol binding protein
 Age related macular regeneration
 Zinc secreting cells in our body
 IN THE BRAIN
2. Glutamate secreting neurons
3. Glycine secreting neurons in the spinal cord
4. Retinol photoreceptors
5. Activated Microglia

 IN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

8. All the granulocytes
9. Mast cells
10. Paneth cells

 PROSTATE EPITHELIAL SECRETORY CELLS

 SUB MANDIBULAR SALIVARY CELLS

 PANCREAS BETA CELLS

 Some of the cells having Zinc receptors

 Neurons
 Glialcells
 Epithelial cells
Recommended Dietary Allowances of Zinc for
Infants over 7 months, Children, and Adults

Age Infants Males Females Pregnancy Lactation

and
Children
7 months 3 mg - - - -
to 3 years

4 to 8 5 mg - - - -
years
9 to 13 8 mg - - - -
years
14 to 18 - 11 mg 9 mg 13 mg 14 mg
years
19+ - 11 mg 8 mg 11 mg 12 mg
 Signs of Zinc Deficiency
 Growth retardation, Hair loss, Diarrhea.
 Delayed Sexual maturation.
 Eye and skin lesions, Loss of appetite.
 Weight loss, Delayed healing of wounds.
 Taste abnormalities and lethargy.

These symptoms are associated with other medical conditions also, hence
forth consult a doctor for appropriate care.
 Factors leading to Zinc deficiency

 Individuals who have had gastrointestinal

surgery or who have digestive disorders
results in malabsorption.
 Low zinc status has been observed in
30% to 50% of alcoholics.
 Drugs like penicillamine, diethylenetetra
amine pentaacetate,sodium valproate.
 Deficiency Leads to…
 Maternal zinc deficiency can slow fetal
growth.
 Includes Sprue.
 Crohn’s disease.
 Short bowel syndrome.
Zinc Toxicity
 Zinc Toxicity
 Induces METALLOTHIONEIN

 Intakes of 150 to 450 mg of zinc per

day have been associated with low
copper status, altered iron function,
reduced immune function, and
reduced levels of high-density
lipoproteins

 Zinc shakes or Zinc Chills can be

induced by inhalation of freely formed
Zinc oxide evolved during welding of
galvanized materials.

 Stomach acid contains

hydrochloric acid, in which metallic
zinc dissolves readily to give corrosive
zinc chloride.
 Zinc Toxicity Cases
 One case report cited
severe nausea and
vomiting within 30
minutes after the person
ingested four grams of
zinc gluconate (570 mg
elemental zinc).

 In 2001 the National

Academy of Sciences
gave the tolerable levels
of zinc intake (highest
intake) associated with no
adverse health effects, for
zinc for infants, children,
and adults.
The Levels for infants, children and adults are:

Age Infants and Males and Pregnancy and

Children Females Lactation
0 to 6 months 4 mg - -

7 to 12 5 mg - -
months
1 to 3 years 7 mg - -

4 to 8 years 12 mg - -
9 to 13 years 23 mg - -
14 to 18 34 mg - 34 mg
years
Ages 19+ - 40 mg 40 mg
 Industrial Uses of Zinc
• Lotions made of calamine, a
mix of Zn (hydroxy) carbonates
and silicates, are used to treat
skin rash.

• Zinc lactate is used in

toothpaste to prevent
malodour.

• Zinc pyrithione is widely

applied in shampoos because
of its anti-dandruff function.
 Clinical trials

 COMMON COLD:
Zinc gluconate and Zinc
gluconate glycine.

 GASTEROENTIRITIS:
Strong action against
pathogens.
 Additional Info’s

 Calcium with Phytic acid

 Zinc Proteinate – animal protein.

Substitute for zinc methionate

 Used for the treatment of Anorexia

 Used as anti – inflammatory agent