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Relationship Between Zinc Supplementation and Weight Gain

Ronaghy et al (2013) reported that 40 mg of zinc supplement in form of zinc carbonate


given with other nutrients (protein, lipid, vitamins and minerals) led to a significant
increase in height and weight in Iranian malnourished school-aged boys. Interestingly, the
improvements in body weight and height were not significant in the first 6 months of the
study. However, at the end of the study after 12 months, the effect of zinc
supplementation was significant in improving the body weight and height of the subjects.

Friis et al.21 found that zinc supplementation of 30 or 50 mg had significant positive effects
on gross weight gain, weight z-score and arm muscle area at a shorter time period of 3
months. But this positive effect was not observed at a longer time period of 9 months in
Zimbabwean pre-adolescent and adolescent.

Hsun-Shin et al (2018) Zinc supplementation has varied effects on the linear


growth of children who exhibited stunted growth. This observational study involved 761
undernourished children, aged 2–10 years, who received a 24-week course of 10-mg
elemental zinc per day. The clinical parameters for evaluation included appetite, height,
weight, and body mass index (BMI). Evaluation of the effect of zinc supplementation was
stratified by the initial serum zinc concentration. The enrolled participants comprised 390
boys and 371 girls. The mean age was 5.63 years. The height-for-age, weight-for-age, and
BMI-for-age z scores increased gradually during the study period.When compared with the
children with a serum zinc concentration 75 μg/dL, the height, weight, weight-for-age, and
BMI-for-age z scores increased significantly in the patients with serum zinc concentrations
of <75 μg/dL after 12- and 24-week zinc supplementation (all P < .001). BMI, height-for-age
z score, and appetite also increased significantly in patients with serum zinc concentrations
of <75 μg/dL after 24-week zinc supplementation (P = .003, .019, and <.001, respectively).
The findings of this study indicate that undernourished children with serum zinc
concentrations of <75 μg/dL experienced greater increments in appetite and growth as a
result of zinc supplementation.
Zinc is the second most abundant micronutrient in the body and plays an
important role not only in physical growth, but also as a cofactor for enzymes required for
DNA synthesis, brain development, cell membrane fluidity and stability, bone formation,
and wound healing [27]. It is necessary to maintain a consistent intake because zinc is not
stored in the body [28]. The normal range of serum zinc levels is 70-120 μg/dL [29]. Zinc
homeostasis is well maintained in the body. Even when there is a serious deficit in zinc
intake, blood zinc levels do not alter significantly. Thus, it is possible that zinc deficit exists
even when blood zinc levels appear to be within the normal range.

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