Zinc,an essential element involved in catalytic activity of hunderds of enzymes and important for enhancing immune function,DNA synthesis,wound healing and cell signalling.Also involved in health growth and development during pregnancy, infancy and childhood. Zinc are available in dairy products,meat, fish and sea foods Zinc also available as zinc sulfate,zinc acetate and zinc gluconate.

Zinc deficiency cause delay in growth,diarrhoea and alopecia in children.It can alter cognitive and psychological function in older adults,Manifestation of zinc deficiency vary by age children – diarrhoea,older children – frequent infections,delayed growth and alopecia. In both infants and children it may cause impaired growth and loss of appetite.Also cause reproductive problems in adulthood.

Zinc can be toxic at high levels and zinc test should be done before supplementation. Excessive zinc may cause dizziness,headache,gastric distress and loss of appetite.Zinc also involved in HPA overactivity.

Dietary zinc deficiency increases glucosorticoid secretion from the adrenal cortex via HPA axis activity and induces neuropsychological symptoms.

Reference

-Zinc (Fact sheet for Health professionals)

-Behavioral abnormality induced by enhanced HPA axis activity under dietary zinc deficiency and its usefulness as a model by Atsushi Takeda et.al.