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Lowe NM, Hall AG, Broadley MR, Foley J, Boy E, Bhutta ZA. Preventing and Controlling Zinc Deficiency Across the Life Course: A Call to Action. Adv Nutr 2024; 15:100181. [PMID: 38280724 PMCID: PMC10882121 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Through diverse roles, zinc determines a greater number of critical life functions than any other single micronutrient. Beyond the well-recognized importance of zinc for child growth and resistance to infections, zinc has numerous specific roles covering the regulation of glucose metabolism, and growing evidence links zinc deficiency with increased risk of diabetes and cardiometabolic disorders. Zinc nutriture is, thus, vitally important to health across the life course. Zinc deficiency is also one of the most common forms of micronutrient malnutrition globally. A clearer estimate of the burden of health disparity attributable to zinc deficiency in adulthood and later life emerges when accounting for its contribution to global elevated fasting blood glucose and related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Yet progress attenuating its prevalence has been limited due, in part, to the lack of sensitive and specific methods to assess human zinc status. This narrative review covers recent developments in our understanding of zinc's role in health, the impact of the changing climate and global context on zinc intake, novel functional biomarkers showing promise for monitoring population-level interventions, and solutions for improving population zinc intake. It aims to spur on implementation of evidence-based interventions for preventing and controlling zinc deficiency across the life course. Increasing zinc intake and combating global zinc deficiency requires context-specific strategies and a combination of complementary, evidence-based interventions, including supplementation, food fortification, and food and agricultural solutions such as biofortification, alongside efforts to improve zinc bioavailability. Enhancing dietary zinc content and bioavailability through zinc biofortification is an inclusive nutrition solution that can benefit the most vulnerable individuals and populations affected by inadequate diets to the greatest extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola M Lowe
- Center for Global Development, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
| | - Andrew G Hall
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Nutritional Sciences & Toxicology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Martin R Broadley
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, United Kingdom; School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Foley
- HarvestPlus, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Erick Boy
- HarvestPlus, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Zulfiqar A Bhutta
- Center for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Center of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
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Ceballos-Rasgado M, Lowe NM, Moran VH, Clegg A, Mallard S, Harris C, Montez J, Xipsiti M. Toward revising dietary zinc recommendations for children aged 0 to 3 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis of zinc absorption, excretion, and requirements for growth. Nutr Rev 2022:6881443. [PMID: 36478064 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuac098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization are updating their dietary zinc recommendations for children aged 0 to 3 years. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to retrieve and synthesize evidence regarding zinc needs for growth as well as zinc losses, absorption, and bioavailability from the diet. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched electronically from inception to August 2020. Studies assessing the above factors in healthy children aged 0 to 9 years were included, with no limits on study design or language. DATA EXTRACTION Ninety-four studies reporting on zinc content in tissue (n = 27); zinc absorption (n = 47); factors affecting zinc bioavailability (n = 30); and endogenous zinc losses via urine, feces, or integument (n = 40) met the inclusion criteria. Four reviewers extracted data and two reviewers checked for accuracy. DATA ANALYSES Studies were synthesized narratively, and meta-analyses of zinc losses and gains as well the subgroups of age, type of feeding, country's income, and molar ratio of phytate to zinc were conducted. Meta-analysis revealed an overall mean (95%CI) urinary and endogenous fecal zinc excretion of 17.48 µg/kg/d (11.80-23.15; I2 = 94%) and 0.07 mg/kg/d (0.06-0.08; I2 = 82%), respectively, with a mean fractional zinc absorption of 26.75% (23.69-29.81; I2 = 99%). Subgrouping by age revealed differences in mean values associated with the transition from milk-based diets to solid food during the first 3 years of life. CONCLUSION This review synthesizes data that may be used to formulate zinc requirements in young children. Results should be interpreted with caution because of considerable heterogeneity in the evidence. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration number CRD42020215236.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicola M Lowe
- Centre for Global Development, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria H Moran
- Centre for Global Development, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Clegg
- Synthesis, Economic Evaluation and Decision Science (SEEDS) Group, Applied Health Research Hub, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Simonette Mallard
- New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Catherine Harris
- Synthesis, Economic Evaluation and Decision Science (SEEDS) Group, Applied Health Research Hub, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Montez
- Nutrition and Food Safety Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maria Xipsiti
- Food and Nutrition Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
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Zinc Fortification: Current Trends and Strategies. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14193895. [PMID: 36235548 PMCID: PMC9572300 DOI: 10.3390/nu14193895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc, through its structural and cofactor roles, affects a broad range of critical physiological functions, including growth, metabolism, immune and neurological functions. Zinc deficiency is widespread among populations around the world, and it may, therefore, underlie much of the global burden of malnutrition. Current zinc fortification strategies include biofortification and fortification with zinc salts with a primary focus on staple foods, such as wheat or rice and their products. However, zinc fortification presents unique challenges. Due to the influences of phytate and protein on zinc absorption, successful zinc fortification strategies should consider the impact on zinc bioavailability in the whole diet. When zinc is absorbed with food, shifts in plasma zinc concentrations are minor. However, co-absorbing zinc with food may preferentially direct zinc to cellular compartments where zinc-dependent metabolic processes primarily occur. Although the current lack of sensitive biomarkers of zinc nutritional status reduces the capacity to assess the impact of fortifying foods with zinc, new approaches for assessing zinc utilization are increasing. In this article, we review the tools available for assessing bioavailable zinc, approaches for evaluating the zinc nutritional status of populations consuming zinc fortified foods, and recent trends in fortification strategies to increase zinc absorption.
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Consumption of Micronutrient Powder, Syrup or Fortified Food Significantly Improves Zinc and Iron Status in Young Mexican Children: A Cluster Randomized Trial. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14112231. [PMID: 35684031 PMCID: PMC9183015 DOI: 10.3390/nu14112231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare the effect of three micronutrient products on biomarkers of iron and zinc status of Mexican children 6−12 months of age. As part of research to improve the impact of a national program, 54 communities were randomly assigned to receive: (1) fortified food (FF), provided by the program at the time, or (2) micronutrient powders (MNP) or (3) syrup. Each product contained 10 mg each of zinc and iron, plus other micronutrients. Children consumed the product 6 days/week for four months. Primary outcomes were changes in serum zinc, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, hemoglobin concentrations, and their deficiencies. Zinc concentration increased significantly from baseline to follow-up in all groups, with the largest change in the syrup group (geometric mean difference: +4.4 µmol/L; 95%CI: 3.2, 5.5), followed by MNP (+2.9 µmol/L; 95%CI: 2.1, 3.6) and FF (+0.9 µmol/L; 95%CI: 0.3, 1.6). There was a significant increase in hemoglobin concentration (+5.5 g/L; 2.5, 8.4) and a significant reduction in anemia prevalence (44.2% to 26.8%, p < 0.01) only in the MNP group. Compliance differed significantly among groups (MNP vs. FF, p = 0.04; MNP vs. syrup, p = 0.04), but may not fully explain the greater improvement in zinc and iron status in the syrup and MNP groups. The food matrix may influence nutrient utilization from supplements.
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Exchangeable Zinc Pool Size Reflects Form of Zinc Supplementation in Young Children and Is Not Associated with Markers of Inflammation. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14030481. [PMID: 35276840 PMCID: PMC8838617 DOI: 10.3390/nu14030481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A sensitive and reliable biomarker of zinc status has yet to be identified, but observational research suggests that the exchangeable zinc pool (EZP) size may be a possible biomarker. This randomized, placebo-controlled trial aimed to compare the change in EZP size from baseline to endline in 174 children who were preventatively supplemented with 10 mg of zinc as part of a multiple micronutrient power (MNP) or as a standalone dispersible tablet for 24 weeks versus a placebo powder. The effects of systemic inflammation on EZP size were also evaluated. Zinc stable isotopes were administered intravenously to children at baseline and endline, and the EZP was measured by the urine extrapolation method. A total of 156 children completed the study with the zinc dispersible tablet group having the greatest increase in EZP (14.1 mg) over 24 weeks when compared with the MNP group (6.8 mg) (p < 0.01) or placebo group (2.0 mg) (p < 0.001). Median EZP size was not different between children with normal or elevated serum inflammatory markers. EZP size was responsive to longitudinal zinc supplementation and reflected the expected difference in bioavailability for two forms of supplementation. The apparent absence of an effect of inflammation on EZP size may offer an advantage for use as a biomarker for group comparisons between different interventions.
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Zyba SJ, Wegmüller R, Woodhouse LR, Ceesay K, Prentice AM, Brown KH, Wessells KR. Effect of exogenous phytase added to small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) on the fractional and total absorption of zinc from a millet-based porridge consumed with SQ-LNS in young Gambian children: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2019; 110:1465-1475. [PMID: 31504101 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary phytate inhibits zinc absorption from composite meals in adults. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of adding exogenous phytase to a small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement (SQ-LNS) on zinc absorption among young children. METHODS In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, intraindividual differences in fractional and total absorption of zinc (FAZ and TAZ, respectively) from a millet-based porridge containing SQ-LNS with and without phytase were measured in 30 asymptomatic children 18-23 mo of age in the Kiang West district of The Gambia. Using a crossover design, children received for 1 d each porridge test meals with 20 g SQ-LNS containing 8 mg zinc and either 1) exogenous phytase or 2) no exogenous phytase. The test meals were provided on consecutive days in randomized order. FAZ was measured using a triple stable isotope tracer ratio technique with Zn-67 and Zn-70 as oral tracers and Zn-68 as the intravenous tracer. RESULTS Twenty-six participants completed the study. The prevalence of stunting and wasting were 20% and 13%, respectively; no children had low plasma zinc concentrations (<65 μg/dL). Total mean ± SD dietary zinc intake from the test meals was 7.3 ± 2.2 mg (phytate:zinc molar ratio = 3.1 ± 0.3, not accounting for phytase activity). Mean FAZ increased from 8.6% ± 1.3% to 16.0% ± 1.3% when exogenous phytase was added to the SQ-LNS product (P < 0.001). Mean TAZ from test meals containing SQ-LNS with phytase was more than double that from test meals containing SQ-LNS without phytase (1.1 ± 0.1 mg and 0.5 ± 0.1 mg, respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The addition of exogenous phytase to SQ-LNS increased both FAZ and TAZ. These results suggest that phytate reduction may be an important strategy to increase zinc absorption among young children. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02668133.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Zyba
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Rita Wegmüller
- MRC Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia.,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Human Nutrition Laboratory, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Leslie R Woodhouse
- Agricultural Research Service, Western Human Nutrition Research Center, US Department of Agriculture, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kabiru Ceesay
- MRC Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Andrew M Prentice
- MRC Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Kenneth H Brown
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - K Ryan Wessells
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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Sheftel J, Loechl C, Mokhtar N, Tanumihardjo SA. Use of Stable Isotopes to Evaluate Bioefficacy of Provitamin A Carotenoids, Vitamin A Status, and Bioavailability of Iron and Zinc. Adv Nutr 2018; 9:625-636. [PMID: 30239582 PMCID: PMC6140444 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmy036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of nutrition scientists to measure the status, bioavailability, and bioefficacy of micronutrients is affected by lack of access to the parts of the body through which a nutrient may travel before appearing in accessible body compartments (typically blood or urine). Stable isotope-labeled tracers function as safe, nonradioactive tools to follow micronutrients in a quantitative manner because the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of the tracer are assumed to be similar to the unlabeled vitamin or mineral. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supports research on the safe use of stable isotopes in global health and nutrition. This review focuses on IAEA's contributions to vitamin A, iron, and zinc research. These micronutrients are specifically targeted by the WHO because of their importance in health and worldwide prevalence of deficiency. These 3 micronutrients are included in food fortification and biofortification efforts in low- and middle-income regions of the world. Vitamin A isotopic techniques can be used to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions. For example, total body retinol stores were estimated by using 13C2-retinol isotope dilution before and after feeding Zambian children maize biofortified with β-carotene to determine if vitamin A reserves were improved by the intervention. Stable isotopes of iron and zinc have been used to determine mineral bioavailability. In Thailand, ferrous sulfate was better absorbed from fish sauce than was ferrous lactate or ferric ammonium citrate, determined with the use of different iron isotopes in each compound. Comparisons of one zinc isotope injected intravenously with another isotope taken orally from a micronutrient powder proved that the powder increased total absorbed zinc from a meal in Pakistani infants. Capacity building by the IAEA with appropriate collaborations in low- and middle-income countries to use stable isotopes has resulted in many advancements in human nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Sheftel
- Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI
| | | | | | - Sherry A Tanumihardjo
- Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI
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Ariff S, Krebs NF, Westcott JE, Hambidge M, Miller LV, Rizvi A, Soofi SB, Bhutta ZA. Exchangeable Zinc Pool Size at Birth in Pakistani Small for Gestational Age and Appropriate for Gestational Age Infants Do Not Differ But Are Lower Than in US Infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2018; 66:496-500. [PMID: 29470320 PMCID: PMC6343844 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000001778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Small for gestational age (SGA) infants are more susceptible to infectious morbidity and growth faltering compared to their appropriate for gestational age (AGA) counterparts. Zinc supplementation of SGA infants may be beneficial but the underlying susceptibility to zinc deficiency of SGA infants has not been examined. METHODS In a community-based, observational, longitudinal study in a peri-urban settlement of Karachi, Pakistan, we compared the size of the exchangeable zinc pools (EZPs) in term SGA and AGA infants at birth and at 6 months of age, hypothesizing that the EZP would be lower in the SGA group. To measure EZP size, a zinc stable isotope was intravenously administered within 48 hours of birth (n = 17 and 22) at 6 months (n = 11 and 14) in SGA and AGA infants, respectively. Isotopic enrichment in urine was used to determine EZP. RESULTS No significant difference was detected in the mean (±standard deviation) EZP between SGA and AGA infants at birth, with values of 9.8 ± 3.5 and 10.1 ± 4.1 mg/kg, respectively (P = 0.86), or at 6 months. Longitudinal EZP measurements demonstrated a significant decline in EZP relative to body weight in both groups at 6 months (P < 0.001). Mean EZP (adjusted for body weight) size at birth for the combined Pakistani groups was significantly lower than AGA infants at birth in the United States (P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS These results did not support a difference in zinc endowment between SGA and AGA Pakistani infants. They, however, do suggest lower in utero zinc transfer to the fetus in a setting where poor maternal nutritional status may confer a high susceptibility to postnatal zinc deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nancy F. Krebs
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO
| | - Jamie E. Westcott
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO
| | - Michael Hambidge
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO
| | - Leland V. Miller
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO
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Islam MM, McDonald CM, Krebs NF, Westcott J, Rahman AE, El Arifeen S, Ahmed T, King JC, Black RE. Study Protocol for a Randomized, Double-Blind, Community-Based Efficacy Trial of Various Doses of Zinc in Micronutrient Powders or Tablets in Young Bangladeshi Children. Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10020132. [PMID: 30720778 PMCID: PMC5852708 DOI: 10.3390/nu10020132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 01/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc is essential to supporting growth in young children especially for tissues undergoing rapid cellular differentiation and turnover, such as those in the immune system and gastrointestinal tract. Therapeutic zinc supplementation has been initiated in low-income countries as part of diarrhea treatment programs to support these needs for young children, but the effects of preventive supplemental zinc as a tablet or as a multiple micronutrient powder (MNP) on child growth and diarrheal disease are mixed and pose programmatic uncertainties. Thus, a randomized, double-blind community-based efficacy trial of five different doses, forms, and frequencies of preventive zinc supplementation vs. a placebo was designed for a study in children aged 9–11 months in an urban community in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The primary outcomes of this 24-week study are incidence of diarrheal disease and linear growth. Study workers will conduct in-home morbidity checks twice weekly; anthropometry will be measured at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks. Serum zinc and other related biomarkers will be measured in a subsample along with an estimate of the exchangeable zinc pool size using stable isotope techniques in a subgroup. Therapeutic zinc will be provided as part of diarrhea treatment, in accordance with Bangladesh’s national policy. Therefore, the proposed study will determine the additional benefit of a preventive zinc supplementation intervention. The protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) of icddr,b and Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI). The IRB review process is underway at the University of Colorado Denver as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Munirul Islam
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
| | | | - Nancy F Krebs
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Jamie Westcott
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman
- Maternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Shams El Arifeen
- Maternal and Child Health Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Janet C King
- Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, CA 94609, USA.
| | - Robert E Black
- Institute for International Programs, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Brnić M, Hurrell RF, Songré-Ouattara LT, Diawara B, Kalmogho-Zan A, Tapsoba C, Zeder C, Wegmüller R. Effect of phytase on zinc absorption from a millet-based porridge fed to young Burkinabe children. Eur J Clin Nutr 2016; 71:137-141. [DOI: 10.1038/ejcn.2016.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2016] [Revised: 08/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Tran CD, Gopalsamy GL, Mortimer EK, Young GP. The potential for zinc stable isotope techniques and modelling to determine optimal zinc supplementation. Nutrients 2015; 7:4271-95. [PMID: 26035248 PMCID: PMC4488783 DOI: 10.3390/nu7064271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well recognised that zinc deficiency is a major global public health issue, particularly in young children in low-income countries with diarrhoea and environmental enteropathy. Zinc supplementation is regarded as a powerful tool to correct zinc deficiency as well as to treat a variety of physiologic and pathologic conditions. However, the dose and frequency of its use as well as the choice of zinc salt are not clearly defined regardless of whether it is used to treat a disease or correct a nutritional deficiency. We discuss the application of zinc stable isotope tracer techniques to assess zinc physiology, metabolism and homeostasis and how these can address knowledge gaps in zinc supplementation pharmacokinetics. This may help to resolve optimal dose, frequency, length of administration, timing of delivery to food intake and choice of zinc compound. It appears that long-term preventive supplementation can be administered much less frequently than daily but more research needs to be undertaken to better understand how best to intervene with zinc in children at risk of zinc deficiency. Stable isotope techniques, linked with saturation response and compartmental modelling, also have the potential to assist in the continued search for simple markers of zinc status in health, malnutrition and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuong D Tran
- CSIRO Food and Nutrition Flagship, Gate 13, Kintore Ave, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia.
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia.
| | - Geetha L Gopalsamy
- CSIRO Food and Nutrition Flagship, Gate 13, Kintore Ave, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia.
- Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Elissa K Mortimer
- Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Graeme P Young
- Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Zinc is a commonly overlooked deficiency in developed countries, occurring in infants, children, and adolescents during critical growth periods. The purpose of this review is to present the evidence of zinc deficiencies and toxicities as well as treatment in pediatrics. RECENT FINDINGS During the last decade, the significance of zinc deficiency in childhood growth, morbidity, and mortality has been recognized by a number of large-scale supplementation trials in underdeveloped countries. Recognition of the recent nationwide shortage of injectable zinc available for total parenteral nutrition supplementation over the last 2 years focused attention on the possibility of zinc deficiency in the United States. SUMMARY Although primarily thought of as a problem reserved for underdeveloped countries, zinc deficiency has increasing pediatric prevalence in the USA. Zinc is an essential trace element in the body that is responsible for numerous structural, catalytic, and biochemical functions. Deficiencies can occur because of poor dietary intake, long-term parenteral nutrition without supplementation, and enteral causes such as malabsorption. Zinc deficiency is closely associated with stunting, respiratory infections, diarrhea, and dermatitis. Deficiency is hard to define solely by the serum levels. Clinicians should utilize a combination of serum zinc levels, presenting signs and symptoms, and nutritional intake via oral, enteral, and parenteral routes to accurately assess the deficiency risk and diagnosis.
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