Zinc Flashcards
<p>Zinc</p>
<p>• Zn is a cofactor in over 200 hundred metalloenzymes involved in catalytic, structural and regulatory functions; such as:<br></br>- Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) antioxidant.<br></br>- Alcohol Dehydrogenase breakdown of alcohol (↑ alcohol intake = ↑ zinc demand).<br></br>- Carboxypeptidase digestion of proteins.<br></br>- Other enzymes involved in Haem synthesis, folate absorption and DNA/RNA synthesis.<br></br>• Zinc is the most abundant intracellular trace element (the body contains 2g of Zn).</p>
<p>Zinc: Food Sources</p>
<p>• The highest food source of Zinc is oysters. With seeds, nuts, whole<br></br>grains, meat and other shellfish also containing good amounts.<br></br>• Vegetables vary in Zn content depending on the soil quality</p>
<p>Oysters 33.24mg</p>
<p>Sesame 10.25mg</p>
<p>Rye Flour 5.62mg</p>
<p>Calf's liver 5.45mg</p>
<p>Zinc: Role</p>
<p>Reproduction</p>
<p>Endocrine</p>
<p>Cell Proliferation</p>
<p>Sensory Function</p>
<p>Immunity and antioxidant</p>
<p>Digestion</p>
<p>Zinc: Reproduction - Functions</p>
<p>• Production of sex hormones (↑ zinc usage during adolescence)<br></br>• Required for spermatogenesis<br></br>• Inhibits 5a reductase (e.g. inhibits the conversion of testosterone to the more potent androgen DHT).<br></br></p>
<p>Zinc: Reproduction - Therapeutic Uses</p>
<p>• Infertility (male & female)<br></br>• Erectile dysfunction<br></br>• Low testosterone<br></br></p>
<p>Zinc: Endocrine - Functions</p>
<p>• Needed for T4 to T3 conversion</p>
<p></p>
<p>Zinc: Endocrine - Therapeutic uses</p>
<p>•Thyroid health<br></br></p>
<p>Zinc: Cell Proliferation - Functions</p>
<p>• Needed for cell proliferation (e.g. in the skin) and differentiation.<br></br>• Required for DNA binding proteins involved in gene expression<br></br>• Aids tight junctions (i.e. in skin/GIT)<br></br></p>
<p>Zinc: Cell Proliferation - Therapeutic uses</p>
<p>• Wound healing<br></br>• Acne<br></br>• Cancer<br></br>• Cirrhosis<br></br>• Burns</p>
<p>Zinc: Sensory Function - Functions</p>
<p>• Sense of taste and smell (taste buds contain Zn containing enzymes)<br></br>• Supports vision and hearing.<br></br></p>
<p>Zinc: Sensory Functions: Therapeutic Uses</p>
<p>• Poor taste / vision / Olfactory issues<br></br>• Tinnitus<br></br></p>
<p>Zinc: Immunity and antioxidant - Functions</p>
<p>• An important antioxidant.<br></br>• Increases phagocyte, natural killer cell, T and B cell activity.<br></br>• Anti inflammatory (↓ inflammatory cytokines; e.g. interleukin 6 & TNF-a)<br></br></p>
<p>Zinc: Immunity and antioxidant - Therapeutic Uses</p>
<p>• Anti viral activity: inhibits replication<br></br>• Frequent infections<br></br>• Inflammation<br></br>• Cardiovascular disease<br></br></p>
<p>Zinc: Digestion - Functions</p>
<p>• Needed for the production of HCl<br></br>• Used to create pancreatic enzymes<br></br></p>
<p>Zinc: Digestion- Therapeutic Uses</p>
<p>• Weak digestion<br></br>• Hypochlorhydria</p>