Health Encyclopedia

Zinc in diet

Definition

Zinc is an important trace mineral. This element is second only to iron in its concentration in the body.

Alternative Names

Diet - zinc

Function

Zinc is needed for the body's defensive (immune) system to properly work. It plays a role in cell division, cell growth, wound healing, and the break down of carbohydrates . Zinc is also needed for the senses of smell and taste.

Food Sources

High-protein foods contain high amounts of zinc. Beef, pork, and lamb contain more zinc than fish. The dark meat of a chicken has more zinc than the light meat.

Other good sources of zinc are peanuts, peanut butter, and legumes.

Fruits and vegetables are not good sources, because zinc in plant proteins is not as available for use by the body as the zinc from animal proteins. Therefore, low-protein diets and vegetarian diets tend to be low in zinc.

Side Effects

Symptoms of zinc deficiency include:

Slow growth
Poor appetite
Wounds that take a long time to heal
Loss of hair
Problems with the sense of taste
Problems with the sense of smell
Hypogonadism in males
Frequent infections
Trouble seeing in the dark
Various skin lesions

Zinc supplements in large amounts may cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, usually within 3 - 10 hours of swallowing the supplements. The symptoms go away within a short period of time after the stopping the supplements.

Recommendations

The best way to get the daily requirement of essential vitamins and minerals is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods from the food guide pyramid.

Specific recommendations for each vitamin or mineral depend on age, gender, and other factors (such as pregnancy). The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine report the following dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for zinc:

Infants:

0-6 months: 2 mg*/day
7-12 months: 3 mg/day

Children and Adolescents

1-3 years: 3 mg/day
4-8 years: 5 mg/day
9-13 years: 8 mg/day

Males:

14 and older: 11 mg/day

Females:

14-18 years: 9 mg/day
19 and older: 8 mg/day

*mg is milligrams

Women who are pregnant or producing milk (lactating) need slighly higher levels of zinc. Ask your health care provider how much is best for you.

References

Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoids. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 2000.

Review Date:1/2/2007
Reviewed By:William McGee, MD, MHA, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, and Chairman, Nutrition Committee, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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