Zinc (Zn) - Nutrition Trace Minerals

Zinc (Zn)

Zinc is a cofactor for more than 300 enzymes. Consequently, it affects many body tissues. It appears to be essential for growth, wound healing, taste acuity, glucose tolerance, and the mobilization of vitamin A within the body.

Sources.The best sources of zinc are protein foods, especially meat, fish,eggs, dairy products, wheat germ, and legumes.

Requirements.The DRI for zinc in normal adult males is 11 mg, and inadult females, it is 8 mg, with increased requirements during pregnancy and further increases during lactation.

Deficiency.Decreased appetite and taste acuity, delayed growth, dwarfism,hypogonadism (subnormal development of male sex organs), poor wound heal-ing, anemia, acnelike rash, and impaired immune response are all symptoms of zinc deficiency.