8 Ways Zinc Affects the Human Body

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The adult body contains about two to three grams of zinc. It is found in organs, tissues, bones, fluids, and cells. Foods with high protein content, specifically animal protein, are major sources of zinc in the human diet.

Nearly half of the world’s population is at risk for inadequate intake. The article reviewed numerous studies that showed a relationship between zinc and vital human physiological processes such as the following:

Brain

The blood zinc level is less in patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease (Brewer, and others 2010).

Cardiovascular System

Zinc performs a noteworthy role in the regulation of arterial blood pressure. Males and females were reported to metabolize differently when suffering from hypertension (Tubek, 2007).

Liver

Zinc deficiency in the liver occurs not only in those with liver cirrhosis, but also in less advanced alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver disease (Bode and others, 1998).

Pregnancy

A mild deficiency during a pregnancy can cause increased maternal morbidity, abnormal taste sensation, prolonged gestation, inefficient labor, atonic bleeding, and an increased risk to fetuses (Jameson, 1993).

Diabetes

Zinc is very important in the synthesis, storage, and secretion of insulin (Chausmer 1998). A low level of it has been shown to play a role in diabetics with associated disease conditions such as coronary artery disease and several related risk factors including hypertension, and elevated levels of triglycerides (Singh and others, 1998).

Endocrine System

Studies show a correlation between zinc deficiency in geriatric patients and reduced activity of the thymus gland and thymic hormones, decreased response to vaccinations, and reduced immunity (Haase and Rink, 2009).

Healing

Deficiency has been linked with delayed wound healing, and has been found to be crucial to the healing of gastric ulcers especially at the early stage (Kennan and Morris, 1993; Andrews and Gallagher-Allred, 1999; Watanabe, 1995).