Zinc Supplementation May Benefit Physical Growth in Children

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Zinc Supplementation May Benefit Physical Growth in Children

http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

Reference: " Effects of Zinc Supplementation on Physical Growth in

2-5-Year-Old Children, " Mozaffari-Khosravi H, Fatehi F, et al, Biol

Trace Elem Res, 2008 Oct 28; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department

of Nutrition, Faculty of Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical

Sciences, Yazd, Iran. E-mail: mozaffari.kh@... ).

Summary: In a randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 85

preschool children (2-5 years old) with retarded linear growth, results

indicate that supplementation with zinc may exert beneficial effects on

physical growth. The children were randomized to daily supplementation

with zinc (5 mg elemental zinc; n=40) or placebo (n=45) for a period of

6 months. After intervention end, the children were followed up with for

another 6 months. Zinc supplementation was associated with increased

weight gain. Additionally, stunted growth rate in zinc-supplemented boys

reduced from 26.7% to 2.5%. Thus, the authors conclude, " This study

showed that daily supplementation of 5 mg elemental zinc for 6 months

improves physical growth in terms of height increment and weight gain in

children with undesirable linear growth, especially in boys. "

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