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