Zinc deficiency

Zinc deficiency is a state in which zinc availability is insufficient to support normal physiological function. It can result from inadequate intake, impaired absorption, increased losses, or elevated requirements.

Zinc: Zinc is an essential trace element used in proteins, enzymes, gene regulation, and cellular signaling. Its biological roles explain why low zinc can affect many tissues at once.
Acrodermatitis enteropathica: Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a rare inherited disorder of zinc absorption caused by pathogenic variants in SLC39A4. It is a specific, severe form of zinc deficiency that often appears after weaning.
Dietary reference intake: Dietary reference intakes are nutrient intake standards used to assess and plan diets for healthy populations. Zinc intake recommendations provide a benchmark for identifying diets at risk of inadequacy.
Malabsorption: Malabsorption is impaired intestinal uptake of nutrients from food. Intestinal disease can reduce zinc absorption and raise deficiency risk.
Zinc absorption: Zinc absorption is the uptake of dietary zinc, primarily across the small intestine. Impaired intestinal uptake can produce deficiency even when food contains zinc.
Zinc deficiency in pregnancy: Zinc deficiency in pregnancy is inadequate zinc status during gestation, when maternal requirements and fetal needs must be met. Pregnancy raises the stakes of inadequate intake because zinc supports fetal growth and development.
Phytate: Phytate is a plant-storage compound that binds minerals and can reduce their absorption in the intestine. High-phytate diets can reduce zinc bioavailability, especially when animal-source foods are scarce.
Celiac disease: Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disorder in which gluten exposure damages the small-intestinal lining. Small-intestinal damage can impair absorption of zinc and other nutrients.
Metallothionein: Metallothioneins are small, cysteine-rich proteins that bind metals including zinc and help regulate their distribution. These proteins influence intestinal zinc handling and the body's response to changing zinc supply.
Serum zinc: Serum zinc is the concentration of zinc measured in the liquid portion of blood. It is commonly measured, but inflammation and other factors can alter its level.

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