Zinc nutrition and human health: Overview and implications

Abstract

AbstractZinc deficiency, being the fifth leading risk factor for diseases is associated with several disorders and infections, especially diarrhea. The common strategies for sustaining zinc's bioavailability include food fortification, biofortification, supplementation, and dietary diversification. To obtain the best technique, we need to appraise ourselves of the causes of deficiency, zinc bioavailability modalities, potential enhancers as well as inhibitors. This review highlights the role of zinc in human health, its bioavailability, causes and consequences of deficiency, and the strategies to alleviate the deficiency. The strategy of supplementation is pertinent, mostly for the population for whom the usual diet is insufficient for replenishment, and in a short period, the zinc status has to be enhanced. For high‐risk groups, fortification could be targeted to prevent potent inhibitors from hindering zinc absorption. By biofortification, enhancement of zinc concentration can be obtained in the edible portion of plants. Germination, fermentation, addition of enhancers, and other processing techniques also help to increase zinc absorption. Dietary modification is found to be an economically feasible, equitable, and sustainable strategy, and can be used to mitigate zinc deficiencies without any antagonistic effect. These strategies should be integrated with health and nutrition programs to create awareness and education, to enhance their sustainability and effectiveness.