Subscribe
Common ColdDiabetes MellitusDiarrhea/ConstipationHIV/AIDSInfectionLiver DiseaseMalariaRheumatoid DiseasesZinc

Should everyone get zinc?

JR

The immune system depends on this essential trace element.

Many (but not all) diseases respond positively when zinc is used to support immunity or correct a zinc deficiency.

Positive response to zinc supplements taken by mouth

  • Diarrhea
  • Chronic hepatitis C
  • Shigellosis
  • Leprosy
  • Tuberculosis
  • Pneumonia
  • Acute lower respiratory infection
  • Leishmaniasis

In contrast, the results for the common cold and malaria are not conclusive, and zinc was ineffective in most vaccination and rheumatoid arthritis studies.

Caution

  • For AIDS, zinc supplementation may be a risk factor for increased mortality.
  • In type 1 diabetes, zinc supplementation is associated with a deterioration of the glucose metabolism.

The bottom line?
The authors from RWTH Aachen University Hospital in Germany concluded, “Zinc supplementation should be used with care and limited to clearly zinc-deficient individuals.”

2/27/08 09:54 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

Related Posts