a Department of Global Agriculture , Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku , Tokyo , 113-8657 , Japan.
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2014;54(9):1222-40. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2011.630541.
This paper reviews research published in recent years concerning the effects of zinc deficiency, its consequences, and possible solutions. Zinc is an essential trace element necessary for over 300 zinc metalloenzymes and required for normal nucleic acid, protein, and membrane metabolism. Zinc deficiency is one of the ten biggest factors contributing to burden of disease in developing countries. Populations in South Asia, South East Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa are at greatest risk of zinc deficiency. Zinc intakes are inadequate for about a third of the population and stunting affects 40% of preschool children. In Pakistan, zinc deficiency is an emerging health problem as about 20.6% children are found in the levels of zinc, below 60 μg/dL. Signs and symptoms caused by zinc deficiency are poor appetite, weight loss, and poor growth in childhood, delayed healing of wounds, taste abnormalities, and mental lethargy. As body stores of zinc decline, these symptoms worsen and are accompanied by diarrhea, recurrent infection, and dermatitis. Daily zinc requirements for an adult are 12-16 mg/day. Iron, calcium and phytates inhibit the absorption of zinc therefore simultaneous administration should not be prescribed. Zinc deficiency and its effects are well known but the ways it can help in treatment of different diseases is yet to be discovered. Improving zinc intakes through dietary improvements is a complex task that requires considerable time and effort. The use of zinc supplements, dietary modification, and fortifying foods with zinc are the best techniques to combat its deficiency.
本文综述了近年来有关锌缺乏及其后果和可能解决方案的研究。锌是必需的微量元素，需要 300 多种锌金属酶，对正常的核酸、蛋白质和膜代谢至关重要。锌缺乏是发展中国家疾病负担的十大主要因素之一。南亚、东南亚和撒哈拉以南非洲的人群面临最大的锌缺乏风险。约三分之一的人口锌摄入量不足，40%的学龄前儿童发育迟缓。在巴基斯坦，锌缺乏是一个新出现的健康问题，约有 20.6%的儿童的锌水平低于 60μg/dL。锌缺乏引起的症状和体征包括食欲不振、体重减轻和儿童生长不良、伤口愈合延迟、味觉异常和精神萎靡。随着体内锌储量的下降，这些症状会恶化，并伴有腹泻、反复感染和皮炎。成年人每天的锌需求量为 12-16 毫克。铁、钙和植酸盐会抑制锌的吸收，因此不应同时开处方。锌缺乏及其影响是众所周知的，但它在治疗不同疾病方面的作用尚未被发现。通过饮食改善来提高锌的摄入量是一项复杂的任务，需要相当长的时间和努力。使用锌补充剂、饮食调整和在食物中添加锌是对抗锌缺乏的最佳方法。
