RESEARCH: Zinc in health and chronic disease.

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Zinc in health and chronic disease.

Tudor R, Zalewski PD, Ratnaike RN.

R.N.Ratnaike, Department of Medicine,The University of Adelaide,The

Queen Elizabet hHospital, Woodville South Australia

5011,Australia,Tel:+61-8-82226887,Fax:+61-8-82226042,Email:

ranjit.ratnaike@....

Zinc is a trace element essential for the optimal function of a variety

of biochemical and physiological processes. Its role in healthy aging

is particularly important as it prevents neo plastic cell growth, is

involved in mitotic cell division, DNA an dRNA repair. Although zinc is

widely available in food, the daily intake in many persons may be

suboptimal. Other causes of low zinc concent rations may be due to

small bowel conditions that cause mucosal damage and thus decrease

absorption. Chronic diseases associated with alterations in zinc status

are bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimerdisease. At

present it is uncertain if the rapy with zinc would assist in the

management of these chronicd iseases. In view of the important cellular

functions of zinc in the human body, a diet with an adequate zinc

content is beneficial in promoting healthy aging and maintaining good

health.

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