Should everyone get zinc?
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