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Zinc is an Essential Trace Element for Humans, Animals and Plants
Zinc is an essential nutrient for human health. Ensuring adequate levels of zinc intake should be a key component in efforts to reduce child illness, enhance physical growth and decrease mortality in developing countries. In spite of the proven benefits of adequate zinc nutrition, zinc deficiency is the fifth leading risk factor for disease in developing countries with high mortality rates.
There is no life without zinc. Zinc is found in all parts of our body; it is in our organs, tissues, bones, fluids and cells. Because zinc is used to generate cells, it is especially important during pregnancy, for the growing fetus whose cells are rapidly dividing.
And zinc is vital in activating growth (height, weight and bone development) in infants, children and teenagers.
Among all the vitamins and minerals, zinc shows the strongest effect on our all-important immune system.
Zinc has proven effective in helping fight infections and can even reduce the duration and severity of the common cold. |
Affordable approaches to eliminate zinc deficiency exist, and these need to be implemented and evaluated.
To plan effective interventions to control zinc deficiency, there is an urgent need to have better information on the zinc status of populations.
Efforts should be made to implement zinc supplementation for diarrhea treatment and for treatment of severe malnutrition, as recommended by the WHO.
Zinc can be added to the mineral pre-mixes used in fortification programs in countries with a high or moderate risk of zinc deficiency.
Preventive zinc supplementation should be considered for children less than 5 years of age in high risk countries.
To learn more about means of addressing zinc deficiency please visit the International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group’s website at: http://www.izincg.org
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In spite of the proven benefits of adequate zinc nutrition, approximately 2 billion people still remain at risk of zinc deficiency |
Zinc Industry Backs Efforts to Address Zinc Deficiency
The International Zinc Association (“IZA”), on behalf of the zinc industry, has taken the global lead in advocating for programs such as those recommended by the Copenhagen Consensus. IZA was instrumental in the establishment of the International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group (“IZiNCG”), and continues to financially support this group of scientists affiliated with the International Union of Nutritional Sciences. IZA and IZiNCG are dedicated to promoting and assisting efforts to reduce zinc deficiency worldwide through advocacy, education and technical assistance. IZA has sponsored technical conferences, produced brochures and has established several websites (www.zinc-health.org and www.zinc-crops.org). In addition, IZA has been coordinating with the International Fertilizer Association and others to provide more zinc in crops by using zinc-containing fertilizers on zinc-deficient soils -- prevalent globally, especially in the developing world.
Stephen Wilkinson, IZA Executive Director, explains:
“The zinc industry has been working diligently to inform policymakers that while zinc deficiency, particularly in children, is a major health threat; it is one that can be readily addressed with existing tools such as the use of zinc-containing fertilizers, fortification of food or supplementation with zinc. We are delighted the Copenhagen Consensus has identified zinc deficiency as its top priority global issue that can be handled in a cost-effective manner.”
IZA is currently evaluating how best to address the Copenhagen Consensus recommendations on a global basis, along with exploring partnership opportunities in zinc supplementation projects. |
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