Function:
Zinc participates in hundreds of chemical processes in the body and is associated with more than 100 specific enzymes. It participates in wound healing, fetal development, hormone, protein, and gene production. Its value for preventing or shortening symptoms of the common cold has not been confirmed but continues to be studied.

Recommended Dietary Allowance:
11 mgs per day for men and 8 mg per day for women.

Deficiency:
Deficiency has been associated with decreased appetite, taste abnormalities, mental lethargy, growth retardation in children, reduced immune function and wound healing.

Sources:
Many breakfast cereals are fortified with zinc and it is abundant in red meats, poultry, certain seafood, and whole grains. Vegetarians may need up to 50 percent more, however, since a chemical in plants, called phytate, as well as calcium, hinder zinc absorption in the body. Human milk does not contain enough zinc for infants between the ages of 7 and 12 months to meet their RDA. These breast-fed children should consume foods containing zinc or be supplemented with a formula containing zinc.

Toxicity and UL:
Intakes of 150 to 450 mg per day have been associated with a low serum copper because it may interfere with copper absorption. Doses considerably above the UL have been well tolerated over long periods of time. Signs of toxicity include abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and headache. The UL is not meant to be used for individuals who are undergoing treatment for diarrhea, respiratory infections, and pneumonia in the many research programs going on now worldwide according to the Institute of Medicine. In general the risks of adverse effects from taking doses higher than the UL are low.

The UL is 40 mgs for adults.

Recommendation:
Supplementation for someone eating a well rounded diet is not essential. A supplement with 10 to 30 mg, however, is safe and assures an adequate intake.

For more information visit:
http://osu.orst.edu/dept/lpi/infocenter/minerals/zinc/