Insights on zinc regulation of food intake and macronutrient selection.
Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element required for human beings and animals. This divalent cation is involved in many physiological functions, including immune and antioxidant function, growth, and reproduction. Deficiency of Zn produces several pathological disorders and abnormalities in its metabolism, such as anorexia, weight loss, poor efficiency, and growth retardation. Although it has been known for more than 50 yr that Zn deficiency regularly and consistently causes anorexia in many animal species, the mechanism that causes this phenomenon still remains an enigma. The present review describes recent research investigating the relationship between Zn deficiency and the regulation of food intake, as well as macronutrient selection.
Jing
Ming-Yan
MY
The Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China.
Sun
Jian-Yi
JY
Weng
Xiao-Yan
XY
D000818:Animals; D004435:Eating; D006801:Humans; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*
D015032:Zinc