Zinc and infant nutrition.
Zinc is essential for a wide variety of cellular processes in all cells. It is a critical dietary nutrient, particularly in the early stages of life. In the early neonatal period, adequate sources of zinc can be obtained from breast milk. In rare circumstances, the mammary gland produces zinc deficient milk that is potentially lethal for exclusively breast-fed infants. This can be overcome by zinc supplementation to the infant. Alterations to key zinc transporters provide insights into the mechanisms of cellular zinc homeostasis. The bioavailability of zinc in food depends on the presence of constituents that may complex zinc. In many countries, zinc deficiency is a major health issue due to poor nourishment. Young children are particularly affected. Zinc deficiency can impair immune function and contributes to the global burden of infectious diseases including diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria. Furthermore, zinc deficiency may extend its influence across generations by inducing epigenetic effects that alter the expression of genes. This review discusses the significance of adequate zinc nutrition in infants, factors that influence zinc nutrition, the consequences of zinc deficiency, including its contribution to the global burden of disease, and addresses some of the knowledge gaps in zinc biology.
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia. Electronic address: leigha@deakin.edu.au.
M Leigh
ML
Ackland
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia.
Agnes A
AA
Michalczyk
D001682:Biological Availability; D001942:Breast Feeding; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005076:Exanthema / Q000503:physiopathology; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008895:Milk, Human; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000172:deficiency
D015032:Zinc
Infant nutrition; Zinc; Zn bioavailability; Zn deficiency; Zn supplementation