Zinkmangel, oft nicht erkannt - Zinsubstitution, die Therapie der Wahl

Journal/Book: Therapeutikon. 1988; 2: 21-27.

Abstract: For long, the role of trace elements as an essential part of our food has been underestimated. Only about 25 years ago, did systematic investigation into the tasks the trace element zinc performs in the organism and into the so-called zinc deficiency syndrome begin. Next to iron zinc is the second-frequent trace element in the organism. It is contained in every cell, in all fibres, and organsÂ—as a part of metalloenzymes, Co-factor of enzymes, and complexing agent of peptide hormones (e. g. insuline). In case of zinc deficiency a great number of different body functions may be disturbed. Marginal or slight zinc deficiency is considerably more widespread among the population than generally known. After the U.S. FDA the "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung" analyzed the German population's zinc supply over several years; they detected a clear lack of supply and made recommendations as regards the minimum daily supply. Due to the increased zinc demand of pregnant and nursing women, children, young and old people, recently operated and convalescent persons an insufficient supply has mainly to be expected in this group of people. In the literature sometimes refers to gastrointestinal side-effects of the zincsulphate therapy forcing the medication to be interrupted. Animal experiments for acute toxicity have shown that in particular zincorotate, an organic complex compound, is considerably less toxic. The poor solubility of this compound produces a desirable retarding effect. Since the oral substitution therapy applying drugs with organic zinc compounds bears as good as no risks zinc deficiency should more intensely be paid attention to in case of all clinical pictures and should be treated adequately.

Keyword(s): Zinkmangel

Zurück | Weiter