Introduction:
Human body is made up of water, macro and micro nutrients. These all plays essential role in functioning of human body. Macro nutrients like protein, lipid and carbohydrate are essential but micronutrients like vitamins and minerals are also necessary.
Among these all zinc is one of the important micro nutrients and its is still underestimated. Children , specially from developing countries are more vulnerable to malnutrition and micro nutrient deficiency. Along with iron , folic acid and vitamin D3, zinc is one of the very common deficient micro nutrient among these children.
Recommended daily requirement of zinc in children vary from age . For infants it is 3 mg per day , 1-3 years 3 mg per day , 4-8 years of age 5 mg per day , 9-13 years its 8 mg per day and f14 -18 it is 10 mg per day. Legumes like lentils , kidney peas, black peas; nuts like cashew , almonds , peanuts; whole grain like quinoa , brown rice and oats; dairy product like milk, chees, yogurt and vegetables like spinach mushroom and peas are natural sources of zinc.
Benefits of zinc supplementation :
Zinc plays important role in metabolism like in DNA RNA synthesis, protein and lipid synthesis and carbohydrate break down. It also plays role in immune function like in enhancement of T cell function and reduce inflammation. It helps in gene expression and hormonal regulation like insulin and thyroid hormone regulation. It helps to improve child’s neurological and cognitive function. Zinc benefits in faster wound healing , boost immune system , promotes growth and development, enhance digestive system, improve skin and eyes health , balance hormones , increase cardio vascular health also.
Adverse effects of zinc deficiency:
Deficiency of zinc can be because of poor dietary intake , poor absorption or increase demand like in adolescence or growth phase of children in which body fails to achieve daily requirement of zinc . Zinc deficiency can lead to many condition like loose motion , skin and eye problem , reproductive issue , poor immune function , hair loss and cognitive impairment in children. It can be prevented by zinc rich food or zinc suimmumentation.
Uses of zinc supplementation :
Zinc is most commonly used for the treatment of acute diarrhoea. There are some future aspects of zinc usage like it can be used in children with impaired cognition or with poor immune function. It can be use it patients with delayed wound healing or poor digestion. It can be tried for the research of the treatment for infertility and diabetes.
Conclusion:
Overall zinc is essential element in our body. Zinc requirement can be fulfil by diet supplementation. Its deficiency can cause many conditions . It has potential to discover the cure of many illnesses in future.
References :
McClung JP. Iron, Zinc, and Physical Performance. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2019 Mar;188(1):135-139. [PubMed]
Prasad AS. Impact of the discovery of human zinc deficiency on health. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2014 Oct;28(4):357-63. [PubMed]
Iyengar S, Chambers C, Sharon VR. Bullous acrodermatitis enteropathica: case report of a unique clinical presentation and review of the literature. Dermatol Online J. 2015 Apr 16;21(4) [PubMed]
