SCIENCE  |  SUPPLEMENTS

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral critical for various aspects of human health. It supports immune function, helps in wound healing, and is involved in cell division and growth. Zinc also plays a role in maintaining senses of taste and smell, regulating hormone levels, and supporting cognitive function. It is vital for the body’s antioxidant defenses, helping to protect against oxidative stress and inflammation. Overall, zinc is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being across all stages of life.

PUBLICATIONS

  1. Zinc Supplementation in Individuals with Prediabetes and type 2 Diabetes: a GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-analysis.
          • Biol Trace Elem Res. 2024 Jul;202(7):2966-2990.
          • Design: Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of RCTs on zinc supplementation in T2DM patients.
          • Summary: Zinc supplementation significantly lowered triglycerides, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and C-reactive protein while increasing HDL levels in T2DM patients, though the quality of evidence was low to very low.
  2. Zinc for prevention and treatment of the common cold.
          • Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024 May 9;5(5):CD014914.
          • Design: Systematic review of RCTs assessing zinc for common cold prevention and treatment.
          • Summary: Zinc may reduce the duration of ongoing colds but has little effect on cold prevention, with an increase in non-serious adverse events.
  3. Effects of zinc supplementation on glycemic control and oxidative stress in experimental diabetes: A systematic review.
          • Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022 Oct;51:28-36.
          • Design: Systematic review of studies on zinc supplementation in diabetic rats.
          • Summary: Zinc supplementation improved hyperglycemia and oxidative stress markers in diabetic rats, suggesting its protective potential against diabetes complications.
  4. Zinc supplementation in prediabetes mellitus.
          • Minerva Endocrinol (Torino). 2022 Sep;47(3):334-343.
          • Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs on zinc supplementation in prediabetic individuals.
          • Summary: Zinc supplementation significantly improved glycemic and lipid parameters, potentially reducing the prevalence and complications of prediabetes.
  5. The effect of zinc supplementation on plasma C-reactive protein concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
          • Eur J Pharmacol. 2018 Sep 5;834:10-16.
          • Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs on zinc supplementation and plasma C-reactive protein concentrations.
          • Summary: Zinc supplementation significantly reduced CRP levels, especially at doses of 50 mg/day and in patients with renal dysfunction.
  6. The Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Insulin Resistance in Obese Subjects: a Systematic Review.
          • Biol Trace Elem Res. 2017 Apr;176(2):239-243.
          • Design: Systematic review of clinical trials on zinc supplementation and insulin resistance in obese subjects.
          • Summary: Zinc supplementation improved insulin resistance in obese individuals, suggesting its potential therapeutic benefit.
  7. Zinc and skin health: overview of physiology and pharmacology.
          • Dermatol Surg. 2005 Jul;31(7 Pt 2):837-47.
          • Design: Review of the scientific literature on zinc’s physiological importance to skin health.
          • Summary: Zinc plays a critical role in skin health, particularly in wound healing and inflammation reduction, with potential therapeutic uses in various dermatological conditions.
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