Severe zinc deficiency is normally seen only in individuals with genetic disorders. Dietary deficiency of zinc is unlikely to cause severe zinc deficiency. However, prolonged diarrhea or severe burns can cause severe zinc deficiency.
Mild Zinc Deficiency
Mild zinc deficiency is commonly found in children in developing countries. Mild zinc deficiency can impair weight gain and can prevent children from growing taller. Researchers suspect that lowered zinc levels can interfere with the cellular response to the growth-regulating hormone insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).
Zinc supplementation has been found to correct these growth problems.
INFANT ZINC DEFICIENCY
Infants fed cow’s milk may be more susceptible to mild zinc deficiency. Thirtytwo percent of the zinc in cow’s milk is bound to casein and the majority of the remaining zinc (63 percent) is bound to colloidal calcium phosphate, reducing bioavailability. Zinc bioavailability is even lower in soy-based formulas. Breast milk has excellent bioavailability of zinc, although zinc content falls off after the first six months of breastfeeding.
CHILD ZINC DEFICIENCY
Infectious diarrhea results in the deaths of millions of children each year. Mild zinc deficiency can increase the susceptibility of children to infectious diarrhea. Unfortunately, diarrhea reduces zinc absorption, worsening the problem. Zinc supplementation can be added to oral rehydration therapy to significantly increase survival with persistent childhood diarrhea. Adequate zinc can also reduce the effect of bacterial toxins on the intestines.
Younger zinc-deficient children may also be more susceptible to infections. The incidence of pneumonia in children in developing countries has been reduced with zinc supplementation. Zinc is essential for T-lymphocyte development and activation.
More about Zinc:
0 comments