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Zinc

Essential trace element and cofactor for >300 enzymes including carbonic anhydrase, alkaline phosphatase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and matrix metalloproteinases, and a structural component of zinc-finger transcription factors.

Also: Zn

Adult RDA is 11 mg/d men, 8 mg/d women, with bioavailability strongly modulated by phytate. Deficiency causes growth retardation, hypogonadism, taste impairment, immune dysfunction, and diarrhea. WHO recommends zinc supplementation for acute childhood diarrhea (20 mg/d for 10-14 days). Acrodermatitis enteropathica (SLC39A4 mutations) is an autosomal recessive disorder of zinc absorption. UL is 40 mg/d in adults; chronic excess causes copper deficiency via metallothionein induction.

How each textbook covers it

  • duyff-complete-food-and-nutrition-guide-5e

  • Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 12th ed. — Ch 11: Zinc

    Adult RDA is 11 mg/d men, 8 mg/d women, with bioavailability strongly modulated by phytate. Deficiency causes growth retardation, hypogonadism, taste impairment, immune dysfunction, and diarrhea. WHO recommends zinc supplementation for acute childhood diarrhea (20 mg/d for 10-14 days). Acrodermatitis enteropathica (SLC39A4 mutations) is an autosomal recessive disorder of zinc absorption. UL is 40 mg/d in adults; chronic excess causes copper deficiency via metallothionein induction.

Related terms

Copper, Immune function, Metallothionein, Phytate