Do Women Using Oral Contraceptive Agents Require Extra Zinc?

Abstract

Numerous clinical studies conducted during the 1970s revealed that users of oral contraceptives (OCs) had lower plasma zinc levels than nonusers. Although more recent studies have failed to confirm such an effect the issue of whether OC users require extra zinc in their diets has been given serious attention. It was thought that the fall in plasma zinc could reflect a reduction in tissue zinc status due to changes in zinc absorption excretion or tissue turnover. Taken together the research findings suggest that OCs may alter the postabsorptive utilization of zinc. Circulating zinc levels may be reduced while some tissue levels may be increased. In addition the release of zinc from tissues may be depressed in OC users. However there is no evidence that these changes alter the dietary zinc requirement. Estimates of endogenous zinc losses are not increased by OC use an increased incidence of clinical signs of zinc depletion (e.g. diarrhea skin lesions and infection) is not evident in OC users and zinc-dependent functions are not compromised by OC use. Finally there is no evidence that OC use before conception has a negative effect on zinc utilization during subsequent pregnancy and lactation.