Zinc, Serum or Plasma

Overview:

Zinc is a trace mineral involved in immune function, wound healing, protein synthesis, taste and smell, and the activity of hundreds of enzymes. It comes mainly from meat, shellfish, legumes, nuts and whole grains, and absorption from plant sources is lower because of compounds that bind it. Deficiency can cause impaired immunity, slow wound healing, hair loss, skin changes and altered taste. One important limitation: serum zinc falls during inflammation and infection, and also after meals, so results are best interpreted alongside a marker such as CRP and with attention to fasting state.

Categories:

Vitamins & Nutrients, Immune

Biomarkers:

1 biomarker