Part I - Zinc - A key element in the physiological processes

Part II - diseases associated with an imbalance of zinc in the body

Interaction of zinc with other elements in the feed

The excess of zinc in the body leads to copper deficiency since zinc can inhibit gastrointestinal copper.

Excess zinc stimulates obesity and related diseases in adolescents. Mielonevropatiyata in some patients was officially recognized as a "zinc overload syndrome". Hipertsinkemiyata is a major metabolic problem such as copper deficiency is a secondary phenomenon.

Effect of zinc on the brain. Role of zinc in depression

The effect of zinc has been studied in rodents suitable model. It was found that the zinc acts as an antidepressant. Like the antidepressants, zinc induces brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene expression and increases the level of synaptic stock of zinc in the hippocampus.

The levels of zinc were analyzed in samples of hair of patients with thalassemia (a type of anemia). Anti-depression in students recommended a diet rich in zinc. In such patients, cases of depression are associated with hereditary risk of zinc deficiency.

Parkinson's disease and zinc

In patients with Alzheimer's disease and in patients with Parkinson's disease, the zinc level in the blood is less. Zinc is found in many proteins and is able to transmit signals when released at nerve synapses. Excess aluminum and the shortage of calcium, with the shortage of zinc in the central nervous system, may result in Parkinson's disease.

Alzheimer's disease and zinc

In Alzheimer's disease the body is unable to effectively metabolize zinc. In patients with Alzheimer's overall zinc tissue was significantly reduced in some brain regions.

Role of zinc on blood pressure

Zinc plays a remarkable role in regulating blood pressure. In hypertension levels of zinc in serum, lymphocytes and bone namlyava while the heart, erythrocytes, kidney, liver, adrenal glands and spleen is increased. The concentration of zinc is high when the amount of hemoglobin is high, but both decreased with age.

Zinc and liver

In patients with cirrhosis, but also in less advanced liver disease, there is a zinc deficiency in the liver. The diagnosis of liver diseases is based on a combination of serum 3 - metallothionein, copper and zinc. In patients with acute viral hepatitis Decreased serum concentrations of total zinc, elevated serum concentrations of zinc and increased diffuse zinc in the urine. In patients with decreased serum levels of zinc as a result of chronic liver disease, the addition of zinc affects the cell growth and production of cytokines.

Role of zinc in the thymus gland

There is a definite link between zinc deficiency in adults and reduced activity of the thymus gland, and decreased immunity. By reducing the concentration of zinc in T-cell function is observed damage.

The role of zinc during pregnancy

Of the nine organic trace elements, only zinc, copper and selenium are essential for reproduction in males and females. Zinc deficiency results in a decrease in testosterone. A lack of zinc, copper and magnesium cause various reproductive problems such as infertility, pregnancy loss, congenital abnormalities, hypertension, placental abruption, stillbirth and low birth weight.

The need for zinc during pregnancy and lactation increases. Were studied the beneficial effects of the oral administration of zinc during pregnancy. Studies gave positive results for the prophylactic efficacy of zinc in reducing complications for both mother and fetus.

Women with a higher risk of having a baby with low birth weight can be diagnosed based on the concentration of zinc in early pregnancy.

Smoking, alcohol abuse and acute stress reaction in infection or trauma can lead to zinc deficiency in the mother and fetus.

Studies of infants

Zinc deficiency causes a number of health problems in children, many of which can be transformed into a chronic and serious weight loss, stunted growth, weakened resistance to infections and premature death.

Zinc and diabetes

Zinc is very important in the synthesis, storage and secretion of insulin. Any decrease in the level of zinc may affect the production of insulin, particularly in type 2 diabetes, the zinc concentration in the plasma and red blood cells is significantly lower in diabetic patients with overweight, the expense of the zinc in the urine and serum insulin, which are substantially higher. Observed a useful antioxidant effects after intake of zinc and chromium in people with type 2 diabetes.

Role of zinc in the immune system

The immune system is the first system which would be affected by changes in levels of zinc due to the high cell turnover. A deficiency of iron and zinc affects the T- and B-lymphocyte function. In HIF infection establishes deficit of zinc.

Zinc for skin and mucous membranes and the role of zinc in wound healing

Zinc deficiency is associated with delayed healing of wounds. It is also essential for the treatment of gastric ulcers, especially at the initial stage.

Role of zinc in pneumonia

Zinc reduces the duration of severe pneumonia and hospital stay. Adjuvant treatment with 20 mg of zinc daily helps to speed recovery from severe pneumonia in children and can help to reduce antimicrobial resistance and also reduce complications and deaths where drugs are not available.

Role of zinc in chronic hemodialysis

Chronic uremic patients often found low zinc values. Zinc plays an important role in the function of microtubules as microtubule formation involves the polymerization of tubulin, a process that reduces the deficiency of zinc.

Role of tsinka cancer

Serum ratio of copper / zinc in patients with breast cancer is determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Zinc deficiency suppresses tumor growth, which demonstrates the importance of zinc for neoplasms.

Role of zinc for diarrhea

The addition of Zn improves the cellular immune status, which probably is the reason for the beneficial effect of zinc supplementation in diarrhea. Increase of serum zinc, successfully used to treat diarrhea and help children maintain a suitable zinc status during the refund period.

Role of zinc in anorexia nervosa

In anorexia nervosa have a number of symptoms similar to the symptoms of zinc deficiency. These are weight loss, changes in taste and appetite, depression and amenorrhea. Almost half of the patients with anorexia nervosa are vegetarians, which could be the reason for their risk of zinc deficiency.

Antimicrobial effect of zinc

The antibacterial activity, the concentration of zinc and the pH was measured in Mueller-Hinton broth containing different amounts of zinc oxide and cultured with Staphylococcus aureus. Gram-positive bacteria are most susceptible. Gram-negative aerobic bacteria and streptococci are usually not surpassed even in the highest concentrations used, but staphylococci, in particular strains of Staphylococcus Epidermalis sensitive, even at a minimum concentration of zinc. Zinc exhibits antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Aktinomitses viskozus.

At high concentration of zinc was observed antifungal activity against pitirosporum (genus mushrooms). Another study reported that the antifungal drugs such as ketoconazole and fluphenazine are resistant Candida albicans due to excessive presence of zinc cluster protein Upc2p.

Zinc is not only an essential element in various physiological processes, but also medicine for the prevention and control of many diseases. Takes a long time for the recognition of this element, and a few years ago determined due status. Almost half of the world's population is at risk of inadequate zinc intake, suggesting that urgently needed public health programs to control zinc deficiency. The lack of generally accepted biomarkers of zinc further difficult to assess the global importance of the deficit of zinc. However, zinc extensively investigated for use on a large scale with promising results. So it can be concluded that the role of zinc will be an important research area in the future and significant potential for discoveries to justify its name "metal of life."