Zinc Deficiency Impairs the Immune System

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

The immune system needs adequate amounts of zinc to handle COVID-19. This article is a repost from April 2020.

The World Health Organization issued a report that says zinc deficiency is present in one-third of the world’s population[7]

Worldwide, about two billion people are estimated to be affected by zinc deficiency. In developing countries, zinc deficiency is the 5th leading cause for the loss of healthy life years.

In industrial countries, mainly the elderly population is affected by zinc deficiency

Zinc deficiency has health consequences. The WHO continues,

Worldwide, zinc deficiency is responsible for approximately 16% of lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia, bronchitis), 18% of malaria and 10% of diarrhoeal disease.

In total, 1.4% (0.8 million) of deaths worldwide were attributable to zinc deficiency: 1.4% in males and 1.5% in females.

IZINCG is an organization that monitors and addresses zinc deficiency, and they published a global map of zinc deficiency

ice_screenshot_20200404-065224
National Risk of Zinc deficiency

Zinc can prevent chronic inflammatory diseases like diabetes, atherosclerosis, macular degeneration, and rheumatoid arthritis.[1]

The Role of Zinc in the Immune System

Zinc is needed for each step of the complex immune response. White blood cells and their communication systems depend on adequate zinc.

The body does not store a vast amount of zinc, and any decrease in its intake or increase in its loss like diarrhea can lead to its deficiency.

People at Risk for Zinc deficiency

  1.  30% of the elderly population have a zinc deficiency.
  2. Vegetarians or vegans. Food from unrefined cereals, legumes, and plants rich in phytates binds the diet’s zinc and results in poor absorption.
  3. Pregnant and nursing women.
  4. Patients who have chronic infections and inflammatory diseases. These conditions use up the available zinc.
  5. Patients with chronic kidney disease.
  6. Chronic diarrhea

Zinc against the Common Cold Viruses

Many studies have shown that Zinc supplementation can shorten the duration of  common cold symptoms[3],[4],[5]

In one cold treatment survey compared with the placebo group, the zinc group showed a significantly shorter duration of cold symptoms (4.5 vs. 8.1 days), cough.
(3.1 vs. 6.3 days), nasal discharge (4.1 vs. 5.8 days), and significantly decreased total severity scores for all symptoms.[2]

However, too much zinc can lower the immune system’s effectiveness, and the recommended doses should be taken.[1]

The Recommended and Maximum Daily Allowances for Zinc

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults is 8 mg/ day for women and 11 mg/day for men.

The Tolerable Upper Intake Level is defined as the highest daily intake level that is likely to pose no adverse health effects in most individuals.

For adults, the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) of Zinc is 40 mg/day. [6]

Conclusion:

In this pandemic time, we must stack the odds of winning against the virus in our favor by having the right amount of zinc in our bodies.

References:

  1. Inga Wessels, Martina Maywald, Lothar Rink. Zinc as a Gatekeeper of Immune Function. Nutrients. 2017 Dec; 9(12): 1286. Published online 2017 Nov 25. doi: 10.3390/nu9121286 PMCID:  PMC5748737
  2. Wintergerst, Eva & Maggini, Silvia & Hornig, Dietrich. (2006). Immune-Enhancing Role of Vitamin C and Zinc and Effect on Clinical Conditions. Annals of nutrition & metabolism. 50. 85-94. 10.1159/000090495.
  3. Hulisz D. Efficacy of Zinc against common cold viruses: an overview. 2004 Sep-Oct;44(5):594-603. 
  4. Suara, Rahaman O, and James E Crowe Jr. “Effect of zinc salts on respiratory syncytial virus replication.” Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy vol. 48,3 (2004): 783-90. doi:10.1128/aac.48.3.783-790.2004
  5. Science, Michelle et al. “Zinc for the treatment of the common cold: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l’Association medicale Canadienne vol. 184,10 (2012): E551-61. doi:10.1503/cmaj.111990
  6. Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Micronutrients. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. 12, zinc.
  7. World Health Organization (WHO). The World Health Report. 83; World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland, 2002

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