Zinc is ubiquitous trace metal essential to the development and maintenance of the immune system and influencing both lymphocyte and phagocyte cell functions.
Zinc is necessary for proper cellular function because of its role as a constituent/cofactor in more than 200 enzyme systems.
It has wide reaching effects on DNA, RNA and cellular functions; thus many different types of immune system cells are affected when zinc is deficient or excessive.
Of many roles for zinc in the adaptive immune system, its role as an essential cofactor for thymulin may be the most profound. Thymulin is a hormone that is produced by the thymus, which regulates the differentiation of immature T cells in the thymus and the functions of mature T cells in the periphery.
Zinc deficiency severely depresses immune response. Experimental zinc deprivation leads to thymic involution, particular of the cortex, whereas other lymphoid elements, the spleen and the lymph nodes are less involved.
Zinc deficiency also result in damaged skin and gastrointestinal cells.
Nutritionists suggest that one of the reasons that the immune system becomes weaker with age is because zinc levels are lower at this time. Patients with AIDS have significantly lower blood level of zinc when compared with a control group.
Zinc: essential trace minerals for maintenance of immune system
