Health & Wellness News From Byron J. Richards

Zinc Deficiency Sets the Stage for Toxic Shock and Organ Damage

Thursday, March 26, 2009 - Byron J. Richards, CCN

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Zinc is required for healthy immune function. A new study shows that a small lack of zinc handicaps the ability to respond to a septic infection, resulting in significant inflammation, organ damage, and increased mortality. Over 750,000 Americans suffer serious and often fatal sepsis-related problems every year that could drastically be reduced by taking zinc.

The study was performed on mice in an experimental way to prove the potential damage to a large number of humans who come down with infections, especially those in hospital settings. The results indicate that zinc deficiency may be this year’s vitamin D story, in terms of a common deficiency that has such a profound impact on health. It is likely that any zinc-lacking person who gets sick is at higher risk for increased tissue damage during the illness.

In the study, animals lacking zinc had a 90% death rate following septic infection. They had much more inflammation and toxic cell damage, especially to the lungs. Zinc supplementation normalized the inflammatory response, greatly diminished tissue damage, and significantly reduced mortality.

Zinc deficiency is common in the elderly, in those in frail or weakened conditions, in those lacking sex drive, and in those with thyroid problems. Zinc is often low in athletes who sweat a lot, and is used up faster during prolonged stress of any type.

“Zinc deficiency is common in patients in intensive care units and in those at risk for developing sepsis,” says Dr. Elliott Crouser, a critical care specialist at Ohio State’s Medical Center and senior author of the study.

“Although zinc deficiency is common globally, it is fixable. If we could identify zinc deficient patients upon admittance to the hospital, we could very likely prevent them from contracting sepsis and death by providing supplementation and improved care,” adds Daren Knoell, an investigator at Ohio State’s Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute and first author of the study.

The take home message is don’t run low on zinc. If you think you may be then consume between 50 – 75 mg a day for women or up to 100 mg a day for men, which will restore your zinc reserves over a several month period of time.

Our government says you need 15 mg a zinc per day, although up to 25 mg of zinc is helpful for offsetting common stress. Foods higher in zinc include beef, lamb, pork, crabmeat, turkey, chicken, lobster, clams and salmon.

Related Entries: Zinc Reduces Rates of Pneumonia and All-Cause Mortality
Prostate Cancer and Zinc – Can Zinc Be Overdone?
Alcohol-Related Acetaldehyde Increases Cancer Risk

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