A Potential Medicinal Importance of Zinc in Human Health - Essay Example

The council set a daily allowance of 15 milligrams oral intake for males, 19 milligrams for females and 9 milligrams for infants. Zinc is absorbed in the ileum and the jejunum where the control mechanism of the body makes it complicated to take in too much zinc. The function of zinc can be catalytic, structural or regulatory. Some enzymes in the body depend on zinc for them to catalyze the important chemical reactions in the body.

Finger proteins of zinc have been found to control expressions of genes from its transcription function. It has also been found that zinc influence the release of hormones and impulse transmission of the nerves. It also plays an important role in the cell membrane and protein structures in the body. Red meats like beef, shellfish and other seafood, eggs, lamb, nuts, whole grains, yoghurt and nuts are good sources of zinc. However, one may also get zinc from supplements. The deficiency of zinc may cause delayed healing in wounds, enlargement of the prostate glands, neuropsychiatric abnormalities, diarrhoea and alopecia.

Severe zinc deficiency may cause mood change, taste and smell dysfunction, anorexia and cognitive impairment. Infants who suffer from deficiency of zinc are irritable and hard to console.