From the Guidelines
Zinc deficiency in women is generally defined as a serum zinc level below 70 μg/dL (or 10.7 μmol/L). This threshold applies to morning fasting samples in non-pregnant women. During pregnancy, slightly lower levels are normal, with deficiency typically considered below 65 μg/dL.
Key Points to Consider
- Zinc status can also be assessed through clinical signs including impaired taste and smell, poor wound healing, hair loss, skin lesions, and increased susceptibility to infections.
- Women require approximately 8 mg of zinc daily (11 mg during pregnancy and 12 mg when breastfeeding) to maintain adequate levels, as indicated by the EFSA 2014 guidelines for zinc intake 1.
- Zinc deficiency is more common in women with restrictive diets, malabsorption conditions, or during periods of increased demand like pregnancy.
- If deficiency is confirmed, supplementation with 15-30 mg of elemental zinc daily is typically recommended, though this should be guided by a healthcare provider, as suggested by the espen micronutrient guideline 1.
- Zinc is essential for immune function, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division, making adequate levels crucial for overall health.
Recommendations for Zinc Supplementation
- In patients with acquired zinc deficiency, 0.5-1 mg/kg per day of elemental zinc (Zn2+) can be given orally for 3-4 months, as recommended by the espen micronutrient guideline 1.
- Organic compounds such as zinc histidinate, zinc gluconate, and zinc orotate show a comparatively better tolerability than inorganic zinc sulfate and zinc chloride.
- In acrodermatitis enteropathica, a life-long oral intake of 3 mg/kg per day of elemental zinc (Zn2+) may be provided, with the dosage adjusted accordingly to plasma or serum zinc levels, as recommended by the espen micronutrient guideline 1.
From the Research
Zinc Deficiency in Women
- Zinc deficiency is a common issue in various populations, including those with celiac disease 2 and type 2 diabetes mellitus 3.
- A study on celiac disease found that zinc was deficient in 59.4% of patients with celiac disease compared to 33.2% of controls 2.
- The normal zinc level is considered to be above 70 mcg/dL, and levels below this are considered deficient 3.
- In the context of type 2 diabetes mellitus, a study found that the mean serum zinc was significantly lower in diabetic patients (66.54 +11.328 mcg/dL) than in healthy subjects (82.63 +12.194 mcg/dL) 3.
- However, there is no specific study provided that directly addresses the zinc level that constitutes a deficiency specifically in women.
- It can be inferred that a zinc level below 70 mcg/dL may be considered deficient in women, similar to the general population 3.