Ingredient information: Zinc
What is zinc?
Zinc is a metal, it is chemical element number 30 and its symbol is Zn.
It is a metal essential for the functioning of the body.
What are the properties and benefits of Zinc?
Zinc is essential for many reactions in the body and is involved in several processes such as:
- skin and hair renewal
- the functioning of the immune system
- sexual maturation
- growth
One of the main uses of zinc in nutraceuticals is the prevention of age -related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinal diseases . Its effectiveness has been successfully demonstrated in AREDS (Age-Related Eye Disease Studies).
It is also used to boost immunity, but this effect is dependent on the individual's condition: supplementation aimed at supporting the immune system only makes sense in people who have a proven zinc deficiency.
The recommended daily intake of zinc is approximately 12 mg for men and 9 mg for women .
It can be found in certain foods such as offal, meat products, legumes, fish and seafood.
What are the health claims about zinc?
EFSA authorises the use of health claims for products containing zinc.
They must provide a minimum of 1.5mg of zinc per 100g, 100ml or per portion.
Products meeting these criteria can claim to contribute to:
- to normal DNA synthesis
- At metabolism normal acid-base
- At metabolism normal food
- At metabolism normal carbohydrates
- At metabolism normal fatty acids
- At metabolism normal of the vitamin HAS
- to normal intellectual functions
- to normal fertility and reproduction
- to protein synthesis
- to the maintenance of bones
- to the maintenance of hair, nails and skin
- to maintain normal concentrations of testosterone in the blood
- to normal vision
- to the normal functioning of the immune system
- to cell division
- to the protection of cells against free radicals
And what about Phytocea?
For its effects in preventing certain eye diseases, you can find Zinc in ORetine.
ORetine is a comprehensive vision food supplement, designed among other things to maintain visual function and prevent pathologies such as AMD or cataracts.
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What are the side effects and contraindications?
It is essential to adhere to the recommended doses (the upper safety limit is set at 25 mg/day). Excess zinc over the long term is detrimental to certain functions, such as immune function.
Excessive zinc intake may interfere with copper absorption and lead to deficiencies.
Consuming foods that chelate metals (coffee, tea) decreases zinc absorption.
The zinc intake should be done at a distance from the intake of:
- iron food supplements
- bisphosphates
- omeprazole
- cyclines
- quinolones
In the search
- Mocchegiani E, Romeo J, Malavolta M, Costarelli L, Giacconi R, Diaz LE, Marcos A. Zinc: dietary intake and impact of supplementation on immune function in elderly. Age (Dordr). 2013 Jun;35(3):839-60. doi:10.1007/s11357-011-9377-3. Epub 2012 Jan 6.
- Foster M, Chu A, Petocz P, Samman S. Effect of vegetarian diets on zinc status: a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies in humans. J Sci Food Agriculture. 2013 Apr 17. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.6179.
- Wong CP, Rinaldi NA, Ho E. Zinc deficiency enhanced inflammatory response by increasing immune cell activation and inducing IL6 promoter demethylation. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2015 Feb 5.
- Barnett JB, Dao MC, Hamer DH, Kandel R, Brandeis G, Wu D, Dallal GE, Jacques PF, Schreiber R, Kong E, Meydani SN. Effect of zinc supplementation on serum zinc concentration and T cell proliferation in nursing home elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Jan 27. pii: ajcn115188.
- Prasad AS, Beck FW, Bao B, Fitzgerald JT, Snell DC, Steinberg JD, Cardozo LJ. Zinc supplementation decreases incidence of infections in the elderly: effect of zinc on generation of cytokines and oxidative stress. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Mar;85(3):837-44.
- Reunanen A, Knekt P, Marniemi J, Mäki J, Maatela J, Aromaa A. Serum calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc and risk of cardiovascular death. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1996 Jul;50(7):431-7.
- Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss: AREDS report no. 8. Arch Ophthalmol. 2001 Oct;119(10):1417-36.
- Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS/AREDS2)
- AREDS2 Research Group, Chew EY, Clemons T, SanGiovanni JP, Danis R, Domalpally A, McBee W, Sperduto R, Ferris FL. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2): study design and baseline characteristics (AREDS2 report number 1). Ophthalmology. 2012 Nov;119(11):2282-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2012.05.027.
- Mahmoodianfard S. Effects of Zinc and Selenium Supplementation on Thyroid Function in Overweight and Obese Hypothyroid Female Patients: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial. J Am Coll Nutr. 2015 Sep-Oct;34(5):391-9.
- Cruz KJ, de Oliveira AR, Marreiro Ddo N. Antioxidant role of zinc in diabetes mellitus. World J Diabetes. 2015 Mar 15;6(2):333-7. doi:10.4239/wjd.v6.i2.333 .
- Islam MR, Attia J, Ali L, McEvoy M, Selim S, Sibbritt D, Akhter A, Akter S, Peel R, Faruque O, Mona T, Lona H, Milton AH. Zinc supplementation for improving glucose handling in pre-diabetes: A double blind randomized placebo controlled pilot study. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2016 May;115:39-46. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2016.03.010.
