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Zinc is an essential trace element in the body required for growth, fertility, immune function, taste, smell, wound healing. It plays an important role in immunity. Total body zinc content is estimated to be around 2g, more than 85% found in skeletal muscle and bone. (1)
High conc. of plasma zinc are found in the choroid of the eye & in prostatic fluids. It helps in cell division, protein synthesis so esp important for infants, children, adolescents, pregnant women. Deficiency can cause skin lesions, diarrhea, hair loss,growth retardation etc(2)
Animal foods are most abundant sources of zinc. Lean red meat & shellfish give approx 40 mg zinc/kg. Whole grain cereals, pulses& legumes provide zinc in conc. of 10 –300 gm/kg raw wt. however phytic acid forms insoluble complexes making zinc in whole grains poorly available (3)
Green leafy vegetables & fruits are poorest sources of zinc with concentration of <10 mg/kg. Animal proteins improve Zn absorption from a phytate containing diet. Generally zinc absorption from a diet high in animal protein will be greater than a diet rich in plant proteins (4)
Vegetarians may require 50% more dietary zinc. Dietary intake of iron at levels found in supplements can reduce the absorption of zinc. Onion& garlic increase bioaccessibility of iron and zinc from food. (CFTRI, 2010). So vegetarians may benefit more from adding onion/garlic (5)
