Definition
Zinc belongs to the trace elements. These are minerals that are essential for humans. They are not produced by the body itself and must therefore be supplied through food.
Trace elements like zinc are only needed in small concentrations (in “traces”), but they fulfill important tasks in the organism. A lack of zinc or a disturbed absorption of zinc can lead to a variety of deficiency symptoms. A balanced diet should therefore include sources containing zinc to prevent the consequences of a zinc deficiency.
What is zinc needed for in the human body?
Zinc is called a trace element because humans only need to absorb a small concentration of it, in healthy adults about 7 to 15 mg per day. Zinc fulfils many important tasks in the human metabolism. It is involved in a multitude of metabolic processes and is therefore indispensable for human health.
Because zinc cannot be produced by the body itself and is excreted through the digestive system, it must be taken in with food. Zinc is a so-called co-enzyme and can be regarded as a “helper” for the enzymes in the body. Zinc fulfils important tasks in nutrient metabolism, including protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, but also detoxification and the breakdown of alcohol.
It also plays an important role in insulin metabolism. Zinc is also involved in the synthesis of sex and thyroid hormones. It is important for the health of the immune system and the human immune system and also promotes wound healing. Zinc also protects the body cells from damage caused by alcohol, cigarette smoke or UV radiation. The trace element is also important for the health of bones, hair, skin, nails and human vision, as well as for other sensory organs.
Causes of zinc deficiency
A zinc deficiency has various causes: On the one hand, a zinc deficiency can occur if too little zinc is taken in through food. This leads to a chronic zinc deficiency. This is caused by a permanently unbalanced diet.
A chronic zinc deficiency can also occur if zinc cannot be utilized from the food consumed, for example in liver cirrhosis. In rare cases, zinc deficiency can also be congenital. A defect in the genetic information means that zinc cannot be absorbed into the organism.
This disease is called acrodermatitis enteropathica and is usually diagnosed in the early months of life. A zinc deficiency can also occur acutely in the context of infections, inflammations and stress situations. In most cases, the clinical symptoms are less pronounced and temporary, in contrast to chronic zinc deficiency.
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