From the Guidelines
Zinc deficiency in the US is primarily caused by inadequate dietary intake, increased requirements, malabsorption, increased losses, and impaired utilization, as highlighted in the most recent study 1. To address this, it is essential to:
- Eat more zinc-rich foods like oysters, beef, crab, fortified cereals, and beans.
- Consider a daily zinc supplement of 8-11 mg for adults if dietary changes are not sufficient. Key reasons for zinc deficiency in the US include:
- Poor diet choices, particularly diets low in animal products
- Increased consumption of processed foods with lower nutrient content
- Vegetarian and vegan diets, which may lack zinc-rich animal sources
- Certain medical conditions that affect zinc absorption, such as Crohn's disease, short bowel syndrome, bariatric surgery, cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease
- Excessive alcohol consumption, which can impair zinc absorption
- Increased requirements for zinc in infants, children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women
- Increased losses of zinc due to hypercatabolic conditions, such as burns, trauma, and sepsis, or renal disease Zinc is crucial for immune function, wound healing, and DNA synthesis, and its deficiency can lead to impaired growth and development, impaired immune function, and increased susceptibility to infections, as noted in 1 and 1. The body does not store zinc long-term, so regular intake is necessary. If concerned about deficiency, consult a healthcare provider for testing and personalized recommendations.
From the Research
Causes of Zinc Deficiency in the United States
The causes of zinc deficiency in the United States can be attributed to various factors, including:
- Malnutrition, as patients with malnutrition are at an increased risk of zinc deficiency 2
- Alcoholism, which can lead to zinc deficiency due to impaired zinc absorption and increased zinc excretion 2
- Inflammatory bowel disease, which can cause malabsorption of zinc 2
- Malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac disease, which can lead to zinc deficiency 2
- Dietary factors, such as low intake of zinc-rich foods or high intake of phytate, which can inhibit zinc absorption 3
- Increased risk of zinc deficiency among certain populations, such as the poor, who may rarely consume foods rich in highly bioavailable zinc 4
Dietary Factors Influencing Zinc Absorption
Dietary factors can significantly influence zinc absorption, including:
- Phytate, which is present in staple foods like cereals, corn, and rice, and has a strong negative effect on zinc absorption 3
- Iron, which can have a negative effect on zinc absorption if given together in a supplement 3
- Cadmium, which is increasing in the environment and can inhibit zinc absorption 3
- Protein, which can have a positive effect on zinc absorption, but individual proteins may act differently 3
- Amino acids, such as histidine and methionine, and other low-molecular-weight ions, which can have a positive effect on zinc absorption 3
Population at Risk of Zinc Deficiency
Certain populations are at a higher risk of zinc deficiency, including: