:Zinc:

:Zinc is a component of more than 300 enzymes needed to repair wounds, maintain fertility in adults and growth in children, synthesize protein, help cells reproduce, preserve vision, boost immunity , and protect against free radicals , among other functions.

Well documented uses:

  • Acrodermatitis enteropathica
  • Common cold/sore throat (as lozenge)
  • Infertility (male) (for deficiency)
  • Night blindness (for deficiency)
  • Wilson’s disease
  • Wound healing (oral and topical)

Additional science-supported uses:

  • Anorexia nervosa
  • Birth defects prevention
  • Canker sores (for deficiency only)
  • Celiac disease (for deficiency)
  • Cold sores (topical)
  • Common cold (as nasal spray)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Diabetes (preferably for those with a documented deficiency)
  • Genital herpes
  • Gingivitis (zinc plus bloodroot toothpaste)
  • Halitosis (zinc chloride rinse or toothpaste)
  • HIV support
  • Immune function (for elderly people)
  • Infection
  • Liver cirrhosis (for deficiency)
  • Peptic ulcer
  • Pregnancy support
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Skin ulcers (oral and topical zinc)
  • Sprains and strains (if deficient)
  • Tinnitus (for deficiency only)

Other traditional clinical uses:

  • Amenorrhea
  • Athletic performance
  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Dermatitis herpetiformis (for deficiency)
  • Diarrhea
  • Ear infections (recurrent)
  • Gastritis
  • Gestational hypertension
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Immune function (for non-elderly people)
  • Insulin resistance syndrome (Syndrome X)
  • Osgood-Schlatter Disease
  • Osteoarthritis (in combination with boswellia, ashwagandha and turmeric)
  • Osteoporosis
  • Pre- and post-surgery health
  • Preeclampsia
  • Prostatitis (CBP, NBP)
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

In double-blind trials, zinc lozenges have reduced the duration of colds in adults, 1 2 3 but have been ineffective in children. 4 The ability of zinc to shorten colds may be due to a direct, localized anti-viral action in the throat. For the alleviation of cold symptoms, lozenges providing 13–25 mg of zinc, in the form of zinc gluconate, zinc gluconate-glycine, or zinc acetate, are used, typically every two hours while awake, but only for several days. The best effect is obtained when lozenges are used at the first sign of a cold.

Lozenges containing zinc gluconate, zinc gluconate-glycine, or zinc acetate have been effective, whereas most other forms of zinc and lozenges flavored with citric acid, 5 tartaric acid, sorbitol, or mannitol, have been ineffective. 6 Trials using forms other than zinc gluconate, zinc gluconate-glycine, or zinc acetate have failed, as have trials that use insufficient amounts of zinc. 7 Therefore, until more is known, people should only use zinc gluconate, zinc gluconate-glycine, or zinc acetate.

Zinc reduces the body’s ability to utilize the essential mineral copper . (For healthy people, this interference is circumvented by supplementing with copper, along with zinc.) The ability to interfere with copper makes zinc an important therapeutic tool for people with Wilson’s disease —a genetic condition that causes copper overload.

Zinc supplementation in children in developing countries is associated with improvements in stunted growth, increased weight gain in underweight children, and substantial reductions in the rates of diarrhea and pneumonia, the two leading causes of death in these settings. 8 9 10 Whether such supplementation would help people in better nourished populations remains unclear.

A small, preliminary trial has found zinc sulfate to be effective for contact dermatitis (a skin rash caused by contact with an allergen or irritant). 11 Participants with active skin rashes took approximately 23 mg of zinc (in the form of zinc sulfate) three times daily, for one month. 73% of those taking the zinc sulfate had complete resolution of their skin rashes, while the remaining participants had a 50–75% improvement. Further trials are needed to confirm these preliminary findings, however.

Dietary sources of zinc include ginger, sunflower seeds, oysters, meat, eggs, seafood, black-eyed peas, tofu, and wheat germ.

Who is likely to be deficient? Zinc deficiencies are quite common in people living in poor countries. Phytate, a substance found in unleavened bread ( pita , matzos, and some crackers ) significantly reduces absorption of zinc, increasing the chance of zinc deficiency. However, phytate-induced deficiency of zinc appears to be a significant problem only for people already consuming marginally low amounts of zinc.

Even in developed countries, low-income pregnant women and pregnant teenagers are at risk for marginal zinc deficiencies. Supplementing with 25–30 mg per day improves pregnancy outcome in these groups. 12 13
People with liver cirrhosis appear to be commonly deficient in zinc. 14 This deficiency may be due to cirrhosis-related zinc malabsorption .15
People with Down’s syndrome are also commonly deficient in zinc. 16 Giving zinc supplements to children with Down’s syndrome has been reported to improve impaired immunity 17 and thyroid function, 18 though optimal intake of zinc for people with Down’s syndrome remains unclear.
Children with alopecia areata (patchy areas of hair loss) have been reported to be deficient in zinc. 19 20

The average diet frequently provides less than the Recommended Dietary Allowance for zinc, particularly in vegetarians . To what extent (if any) these small deficits in zinc intake create clinical problems remains unclear. Nonetheless, a low-potency supplement (15 mg per day) can fill in dietary gaps. Zinc deficiencies are more common in alcoholics and people with sickle cell anemia ,malabsorption problems, and chronic kidney disease. 21

How much is usually taken? Moderate intake of zinc, approximately 15 mg daily, is adequate to prevent deficiencies. Higher levels (up to 50 mg taken three times per day) are reserved for people with certain health conditions, under the supervision of a doctor. For the alleviation of cold symptoms, lozenges providing 13–25 mg of zinc in the form zinc gluconate, zinc gluconate-glycine, or zinc acetate are generally used frequently but only for several days.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Zinc intake in excess of 300 mg per day has been reported to impair immune function .22 Some people report that zinc lozenges lead to stomach ache, nausea, mouth irritation, and a bad taste. One source reports that gastrointestinal upset, metallic taste in the mouth, blood in the urine and lethargy can occur from chronic oral zinc supplementation over 150 mg per day, 23 but those claims are unsubstantiated. In topical form, zinc has no known side effects when used as recommended.

Preliminary research had suggested that people with Alzheimer’s disease should avoid zinc supplements. 24 More recently, preliminary evidence in four patients actually showed improved mental function with zinc supplementation. 25 In a convincing review of zinc/Alzheimer’s disease research, perhaps the most respected zinc researcher in the world concluded that zinc does not cause or exacerbate Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. 26

Zinc inhibits copper absorption. Copper deficiency can result in anemia, lower levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol , or cardiac arrhythmias .27 28 29 Copper intake should be increased if zinc supplementation continues for more than a few days (except for people with Wilson’s disease ). 30 Some sources recommend a 10:1 ratio of zinc to copper. Evidence suggests that no more that 2 mg of copper per day is needed to prevent zinc-induced copper deficiency. Many zinc supplements include copper in the formulation to prevent zinc-induced copper deficiency. Zinc-induced copper deficiency has been reported to cause reversible anemia and suppression of bone marrow. 31

Marginal zinc deficiency may be a contributing factor in some cases of anemia. In a study of women with normocytic anemia (i.e., their red blood cells were of normal size) and low total iron-binding capacity (a blood test often used to assess the cause of anemia), combined iron and zinc supplementation significantly improved the anemia, whereas iron or zinc supplemented alone had only slight effects. 32 Supplementation with zinc, or zinc and iron together, has been found to improve vitamin A status among children at high risk for deficiency of the three nutrients. 33
Zinc competes for absorption with copper ,iron ,34 35 calcium ,36 and magnesium .37 Amultimineral supplement will help prevent mineral imbalances that can result from taking high amounts of zinc for extended periods of time.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) may increase urinary excretion of zinc. 38 Long-term users of NAC may consider adding supplements of zinc and copper.

Certain medications may have beneficial or harmful interactions with zinc.

  • Aspirin (Depletion or interference)
  • AZT (Supportive interaction)
  • Benazepril (Depletion or interference)
  • Benzamycin (Supportive interaction)
  • Bile Acid Sequestrants (Depletion or interference)
  • Calcium Acetate (Depletion or interference)
  • Captopril (Depletion or interference)
  • Chlorhexidine: Using a zinc solution at the same time as chlorhexidine may increase the anti-plaque activity of the drug.

    Waler SM, Rolla G. Plaque inhibiting effect of combinations of chlorhexidine and the metal ions zinc and tin. A preliminary report. Acta Odontol Scand 1980;38:213–7.

    Using a zinc solution at the same time as chlorhexidine may reduce the possibility of staining.

    Sanz M, Vallcorba N, Fabregues S, et al. The effect of a dentifrice containing chlorhexidine and zinc on plaque, gingivitis, calculus and tooth staining. J Clin Peridontol 1994;21:431–7.
  • Ciprofloxacin (Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability)
  • Cisplatin (Side effect reduction/prevention)
  • Clindamycin Topical (Supportive interaction)
  • Colestipol (Depletion or interference)
  • Oral Corticosteroids: increase urinary loss of zinc

    Buist RA. Drug-nutrient interactions—an overview. Int Clin Nutr Rev 1984;4:114 [review].

    Peretz AM, Neve JD, Famaey JP. Selenium in rheumatic diseases. Semin Arthritis Rheum 1991;20:305–16 [review].
  • Topical Corticosteroids (Supportive interaction)
  • Cyclophosphamide (Side effect reduction/prevention)
  • Docetaxel (Side effect reduction/prevention)
  • Doxycycline (Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability)
  • Estrogens (Combined)
  • Folic Acid (Depletion or interference)
  • Lisinopril (Depletion or interference)
  • Medroxyprogesterone: In a group of 37 postmenopausal women treated with conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone for 12 months, urinary zinc and magnesium loss was reduced in those women who began the study with signs of osteoporosis and elevated zinc and magnesium excretion.

    Herzberg M, Lusky A, Blonder J, Frenkel. The effect of estrogen replacement therapy on zinc in serum and urine. Obstet Gynecol 1996;87:1035–40.
  • Methotrexate (Side effect reduction/prevention)
  • Methyltestosterone (Adverse interaction)
  • Metronidazole Vaginal (Supportive interaction)
  • Minocycline (Depletion or interference)
  • Ofloxacin (Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability)
  • Oral Contraceptives (Depletion or interference)
  • Penicillamine (Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability)
  • Quinapril (Depletion or interference)
  • Ramipril (Depletion or interference)
  • Risedronate (Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability)
  • Sodium Fluoride (Depletion or interference)
  • Tetracycline (Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability)
  • Tetracyclines (Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability)
  • Thiazide Diuretics (Depletion or interference)
  • Valproic Acid: In various studies of children treated with valproic acid for epilepsy compared with control groups, serum zinc levels remained normal

    Kaji M, Ito M, Okuno T, et al. Serum copper and zinc levels in epileptic children with valproate treatment. Epilepsia 1992;33:555–7.

    Lerman-Sagie T, Statter M, Szabo G, Lerman P. Effect of valproic acid therapy on zinc metabolism in children with primary epilepsy. Clin Neuropharmacol 1987;10:80–6.

    or decreased,

    Sozuer DT, Barutcu UB, Karakoc Y, et al. The effects of antiepileptic drugs on serum zinc and copper levels in children. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 1995;6:265–9.

    and red blood cell zinc levels were decreased.

    Lerman-Sagie T, Statter M, Szabo G, Lerman P. Effect of valproic acid therapy on zinc metabolism in children with primary epilepsy. Clin Neuropharmacol 1987;10:80–6.
  • Warfarin (Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability)

References:
1. Mossad SB, Macknin ML, Medendorp SV, et al. Zinc gluconate lozenges for treating the common cold. Ann Intern Med 1996;125:81–8.
2. Anonymous. Zinc lozenges reduce the duration of common cold symptoms. Nutr Rev 1997;55:82–8 [review].
3. Garland ML, Hagmeyer KO. The role of zinc lozenges in treatment of the common cold. Ann Pharmacother 1998;32:93–69 [review].
4. Macknin ML, Piedmonte M, Calendine C, et al. Zinc gluconate lozenges for treating the common cold in children. A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1998;279:1962–7.
5. Eby G. Where’s the bias? Ann Intern Med 1998;128:75 [letter].
6. Garland ML, Hagmeyer KO. The role of zinc lozenges in treatment of the common cold. Ann Pharmacother 1998;32:63–9 [review].
7. Weismann K, Jakobsen JP, Weismann JE, et al. Zinc gluconate lozenges for common cold. A double-blind clinical trial. Dan Med Bull 1990;37:279–81.
8. Bhutta ZA, Black RE, Brown KH, et al. Prevention of diarrhea and pneumonia by zinc supplementation in children in developing countries: pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials. Zinc Investigators’ Collaborative Group. J Pediatr 1999;135:689–97.
9. Umeta M, West CE, Haidar J, et al. Zinc supplementation and stunted infants in Ethiopia: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2000;355:2021–6.
10. Gibson RS. Zinc supplementation for infants. Lancet 2000;355:2008–9.
11. Santucci B, Cristaudo A, Mehraban M, et al. ZnSO4 treatment of NiSO4-positive patients. Contact Dermatitis 1999;40:281–2.
12. Cherry FF, Sandstead HH, Rojas P, et al. Adolescent pregnancy: associations among body weight, zinc nutriture, and pregnancy outcome. Am J Clin Nutr 1989;50:945–54.
13. Goldenberg RL, Tamura T, Neggers Y, et al. The effect of zinc supplementation on pregnancy outcome. JAMA 1995;274:463–8.
14. Scholmerich J, Lohla E, Gerok W. Zinc and vitamin A deficiency in liver cirrhosis. Hepatogastroenterology 1983;30:119–25.
15. Karayalcin S, Arcasoy A, Uzunalimoglu O. Zinc plasma levels after oral zinc tolerance test in nonalcoholic cirrhosis. Dig Dis Sci 1988;33:1096–102.
16. Stabile A, Pesaresi MA, Stabile AM, et al. Immunodeficiency and plasma zinc levels in children with Down’s syndrome: a long-term follow-up of oral zinc supplementation. Clin Immunol Immunopathol 1991;58:207–16.
17. Björksten B, Back O, Gustavson KH, et al. Zinc and immune function in Down’s syndrome. Acta Paediatr Scand 1980;69:183–7.
18. Bucci I, Napolitano G, Guiliani C, et al. Zinc sulfate supplementation improves thyroid function in hypozincemic Down children. Biol Trace Elem Res 1999;67;257–68.
19. Wollowa F, Jablonska S. Zinc in the treatment of alopecia areata. In: Kobori Y, Montagna W (eds). Biology and Diseases of the Hair . Tokyo: University Park Press, 1976, 305.
20. Lutz G. The value of zinc in treatment of alopecia areata. 2nd Meeting of the European Hair Research Society, Bologna, April 14, 1991.
21. Prasad A. Discovery of human zinc deficiency and studies in an experimental human model. Am J Clin Nutr 1991;53:403–12 [review].
22. Chandra RK. Excessive intake of zinc impairs immune responses. JAMA 1984;252:1443.
23. Shannon M. Alternative medicines toxicology: a review of selected agents. Clin Toxicol 1999;37:709–13
24. Bush AI, Pettingell WH, Multhaup G, et al. Rapid induction of Alzheimer A8 amyloid formation by zinc. Science 1994;265:1464–5.
25. Potocnik FCV, van Rensburg SJ, Park C, et al. Zinc and platelet membrane microviscosity in Alzheimer’s disease. S Afr Med J 1997;87:1116–9.
26. Prasad AS. Zinc in human health: an update. J Trace Elem Exp Med 1998;11:63–87.
27. Broun ER, Greist A, Tricot G, Hoffman R. Excessive zinc ingestion-a reversible cause of sideroblastic anemia and bone marrow depression. JAMA 1990;264:1441–3.
28. Reiser S, Powell A, Yang CY, Canary JJ. Effect of copper intake on blood cholesterol and its lipoprotein distribution in men. Nutr Rep Int 1987;36:641–9.
29. Sandstead HH. Requirements and toxicity of essential trace elements, illustrated by zinc and copper. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;61(suppl):621S–24S [review].
30. Fischer PWF, Giroux A, Labbe MR. Effect of zinc supplementation on copper status in adult man. Am J Clin Nutr 1984;40:743–6.
31. Broun ER, Greist A, Tricot G, Hoffman R. Excessive zinc ingestion. A reversible cause of sideroblastic anemia and bone marrow depression. JAMA 1990;264:1441–3.
32. Nishiyama S, Irisa K, Matsubasa T, et al. Zinc status relates to hematological deficits in middle-aged women. J Am Coll Nutr 1998;17:291–5.
33. Muñoz EC, Rosado JL, Lopez P, et al. Iron and zinc supplementation improves indicators of vitamin A status of Mexican preschoolers. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;71:789–94.
34. Dawson EB, Albers J, McGanity WJ. Serum zinc changes due to iron supplementation in teen-age pregnancy. Am J Clin Nutr 1990;50:848–52.
35. Crofton RW, Gvozdanovic D, Gvozdanovic S, et al. Inorganic zinc and the intestinal absorption of ferrous iron. Am J Clin Nutr 1989;50:141–4.
36. Argiratos V, Samman S. The effect of calcium carbonate and calcium citrate on the absorption of zinc in healthy female subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr 1994;48:198–204.
37. Spencer H, Norris C, Williams D. Inhibitory effects of zinc on magnesium balance and magnesium absorption in man. J Am Coll Nutr 1994;13:479–84.
38. Brumas V, Hacht B, Filella M, Berthon G. Can N-acetyl-L-cysteine affect zinc metabolisms when used as a paracetamol antidote? Agents Actions 1992;36:278–88.

:

:Issues  :Solutions  :Biofield  :Training   :Starfire  :Catalog  :Order

For all Claims by this Ministry: wizardofeyez are with the Vacancy of any Claim by any Ministry of this World.  For the Volition of this Ministry is for our Self-Healing of each Body, Mind and Soul with the Freedom of the Communication of all Truth by the Authority and Grace of our Sovereign-King of all Kings of this Kingdom of the Heavens.
:Authorization-© with the Claim of all Rights: U.C.C.~1-207

:SITE-COPYCLAIM-©: 9/8/2001, A.D., with the Freedom against the Egypt-Calendar: G. M. Swartwout©