Discovery of human zinc deficiency: 50 years later.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic search or pooling methodology
PubMed 22664333 · doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2012.04.004
What was done
This narrative review summarizes 50 years of clinical and biochemical research following the 1963 recognition of human zinc deficiency, examining global prevalence estimates, biological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic applications.
What was found
The author reports that nutritional zinc deficiency may affect nearly 2 billion individuals in the developing world, driven by phytate-rich cereal consumption that limits bioavailability. Zinc is required for the activation of over 300 enzymes and nearly 2,000 transcription factors involved in gene expression and cell-mediated immunity. Manifestations include growth retardation, male hypogonadism, skin alterations, neurosensory disorders, and cognitive impairment. Therapeutic uses noted include pediatric acute diarrhea, the common cold, Wilson's disease, sickle cell disease, and age-related macular degeneration.
Why it matters
The paper synthesizes the widespread physiological necessity of zinc and emphasizes the large global burden of micronutrient deficiency.
Limits
The abstract describes a narrative overview rather than a systematic review or meta-analysis. No formal search methodology, selection criteria, primary trial sample sizes, or statistical effect estimates are provided.
Cited by
- supports Approximately 1 billion people worldwide are estimated to suffer from zinc deficiency.