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Zinc

Content Source: Health3 AG
Data Compiled From: Clinical laboratory standards & peer-reviewed research
Quality Assurance: Verified against multiple authoritative sources
Academic Sources: Chausmer, 1998; Haase, 2014; Burnham, 2023; Albarède, 2015; Gregory, 2001; Fischer, 1981; Borawska, 2015; Solomons, 1986; Arredondo, 2006; Christian, 1998; Doboszewska, 2017; Gammoh, 2017; Maywald, 2017; Arredondo, 2006; Miura, 2019; Jackson, 2023; Al-Maroof, 2006; Donangelo, 2002; Ghishan, 1986; Albarède, 2015; Blache, 1993; Davenport, 2023; Balkman, 1991; Ibs, 2003; Dickerman, 2018
Last Verified: 2025-11-21
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What is Zinc?

Zinc is essential for various bodily functions, including immune response, wound healing, DNA synthesis, cell division, and enzyme activity. It's crucial for growth and development, maintaining taste and smell, and plays a role in metabolism, digestion, and nerve function. Adequate zinc levels support these processes and overall health.

Zinc deficiency can lead to weakened immunity, delayed wound healing, hair loss, skin and eye lesions, and impaired taste and smell. In children, it can cause growth retardation and increased susceptibility to infections. Zinc deficiency is usually due to insufficient dietary intake, malabsorption, or certain chronic conditions. Zinc deficiency can impair the utilization of Vitamin B9 (Folate) in the body because the mineral is required for the function of enzymes that convert folate into its active forms. Zinc is involved in iron metabolism and deficiency can affect iron status.

Zinc toxicity itself can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and headaches. Chronic high levels of zinc can disrupt the absorption of other minerals, lower ""good"" HDL cholesterol levels, and even impair immune function. Additionally, high zinc levels can disrupt the absorption of other minerals and affect overall health. Excessive zinc intake can decrease copper absorption, leading to copper deficiency, which in turn can impair iron metabolism and potentially cause anemia. Therefore, balancing zinc intake is crucial to maintain a healthy mineral balance in the body.

To maintain healthy blood zinc levels:

  • Ensure an adequate intake of zinc through a balanced diet that includes foods such as oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, and whole grains.

  • Be mindful of the potential interactions between zinc and other minerals, such as copper and iron, as excessive zinc intake can interfere with their absorption and utilization.

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Measurement Units

Zinc can be measured in: mg/L, µg/100mL, µg/dL, µg/L, µg/mL, µg%, µmol/L

Reference Ranges by Age and Gender

Reference ranges represent typical values for healthy individuals. Your healthcare provider must interpret your specific results.

Age Range Gender Unit Optimal Normal Source
All ages All genders µmol/L - 12 - 18 Burnham, 2023

Health Impact

Mood Regulation​

Important for neurotransmitter function and brain health. Zinc deficiency can affect mood and cognitive function and has been associated with anxiety and depression[Młyniec, 2017][Nakamura, 2019][Totten, 2023][Wang, 2018]. It's involved in the modulation of the brain and body's response to stress and has antioxidant properties that protect brain cells from damage.

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Academic References

  1. Chausmer AB.. Zinc, Insulin and Diabetes (1998). J Am Coll Nutr. DOI: 10.1080/07315724.1998.10718735
  2. Haase H and Rink L. Zinc signals and immune function (2014). Biofactors. DOI: 10.1002/biof.1114
  3. Burnham C.-A. D., Chiu R. W. K., Rifai N., Wittwer C., and Young I.. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine (2023). Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine.
  4. Albarède F, Benedetti G, Bonaventura P, and Miossec P. Zinc and its role in immunity and inflammation (2015). Autoimmun Rev. DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2014.11.008
  5. Gregory JF 3rd. Case study: folate bioavailability (2001). J Nutr. DOI: 10.1093/jn/131.4.1376S
  6. Fischer PW, Giroux A, and L'Abbé MR. The effect of dietary zinc on intestinal copper absorption (1981). Am J Clin Nutr. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/34.9.1670
  7. Borawska MH, Gutowska A, and Markiewicz-Żukowska R. Serum zinc concentrations correlate with mental and physical status of nursing home residents (2015). PLoS One. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117257
  8. Solomons NW. Competitive interaction of iron and zinc in the diet: consequences for human nutrition (1986). J Nutr. View Source
  9. Arredondo M, Martínez R, Núñez M. T., Olivares M., and Ruz M. Inhibition of iron and copper uptake by iron copper and zinc (2006). Biological Research. DOI: 10.4067/S0716-97602006000100011
  10. Christian P and West KP Jr. Interactions between zinc and vitamin A: an update (1998). Am J Clin Nutr. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/68.2.435S
  11. Doboszewska U., Gawel M., and Młyniec K.. The Role of Elements in Anxiety (2017). Vitam Horm. DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2016.09.002
  12. Gammoh NZ and Rink L. Zinc in Infection and Inflammation (2017). Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu9060624
  13. Maywald M, Rink L, and Wessels I. Zinc as a Gatekeeper of Immune Function (2017). Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu9121286
  14. Arredondo M, Martínez R, Núñez M. T., Olivares M., and Ruz M. Inhibition of iron and copper uptake by iron copper and zinc (2006). Biological Research. DOI: 10.4067/S0716-97602006000100011
  15. Miura A., Nagahata T., Nakamura M., Ojima T., Okada E., and Shibata Y.. Low Zinc, Copper, and Manganese Intake Is Associated with Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in the Japanese Working Population: Findings from the Eating Habit and Well-Being Study (2019). Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu11040847
  16. Jackson C, Kolba N, and Tako E. Assessing the Interactions between Zinc and Vitamin A on Intestinal Functionality, Morphology, and the Microbiome In Vivo (Gallus gallus) (2023). Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu15122754
  17. Al-Maroof RA and Al-Sharbatti SS. Serum zinc levels in diabetic patients and effect of zinc supplementation on glycemic control of type 2 diabetics (2006). Saudi Med J. View Source
  18. Donangelo CM. Supplemental zinc lowers measures of iron status in young women with low iron reserves (2002). J Nutr. View Source
  19. Ghishan FK, Greene HL, Murrell JE, Said HM, and Wilson PC. Intestinal transport of zinc and folic acid: a mutual inhibitory effect (1986). Am J Clin Nutr. DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/43.2.258
  20. Albarède F, Benedetti G, Bonaventura P, and Miossec P. Zinc and its role in immunity and inflammation (2015). Autoimmun Rev. DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2014.11.008
  21. Blache D, Coudray C, Faure P, Favier A, Favier M, and Roussel AM. Zinc deficiency and dietary folate metabolism in pregnant rats (1993). J Trace Elem Electrolytes Health Dis. View Source
  22. Davenport TS, Edwards LF, Howell JM, and Totten MS. Trace Minerals and Anxiety: A Review of Zinc Copper Iron and Selenium (2023). Dietetics. DOI: 10.3390/dietetics2010008
  23. Balkman C and Wapnir R.A.. Inhibition of copper absorption by zinc (1991). Biol Trace Elem Res. DOI: 10.1007/BF03032677
  24. Ibs KH and Rink L. Zinc-Altered Immune function (2003). The Journal of Nutrition. DOI: 10.1093/jn/133.5.1452S
  25. Dickerman B. A., Liu J., Um Phoebe, and Wang J.. Zinc selenium and depression: a review of the evidence potential mechanisms and implications (2018). Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu10050584

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