Zinc is an essential trace element for all forms of life. It is widely distributed in foods. Because virtually none of its is present as the free ions, bioavailability is a function of the extent of digestion.
The vast majority of zinc is absorbed by the small intestine though a transcellular process with the jejunum being the site with the greatest transport rate.
Numerous aspects of cellular metabolism are zinc-dependent. Zinc plays important roles in growth and development, the immune response, neurological function and reproduction.
Nearly 300 different metalloenzymes depend on zinc for their ability to catalyze vital chemical reactions. Among the classes of enzymes with zinc metalloenzymes are oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases and ligases.
Zinc plays an important role in the structure of proteins and cell membranes. It is because zinc ability to stabilize thiol groups and phospholipids and to quench free radicals.
Zinc influences all immune cell subsets. However, zinc especially important in the maturation and function of T cells, because zinc is an essential cofactor for the thymus hormone, thymulin.
Zinc finger proteins have been found to regulate gene expression by acting as transaction factors. Zinc fingers are protein complexes that form a tetrahedral complex with zinc and provide structural stability for small polypeptides.
Zinc also plays a role in cell signaling and has been found to influence hormones release and nerve impulse transmission.
There is also a suggestions that zinc can act as an endogenous protective factor against atherosclerosis by inhibiting the oxidation of LDL by cells or transition metals.
Other functions little known including in maintaining the integrity of the vasculature and particularly the vascular endothelium.
Because zinc is required for normal cellular repair process and because atherosclerosis is believed to begin with vessel wall injury or dysfunction.
Zinc also interacts with platelets in blood clotting, affects thyroid hormone function, and influence behavior and learning performance.
Trace Elements of Zinc in Nutrition
