Zinc like iron needs to be hydrolyzed from amino acids and nucleic acids before it can be absorbed.
During the process it transforms the protein into the smallest possible absorbable molecule. Integral part components, such as minerals often removed form their original protein ligands in the food.
Zinc is believed to be liberated from food during the digestive process, most likely by proteases and nucleases in the stomach and small intestine.
Hydrochloric acid appears to play an important role in zinc digestion and absorption. As protein digestion proceeds, zinc becomes more accessible for zinc transport mechanisms of intestinal cells. Zinc absorption in the small intestine is facilitated by glucose. Only 15% of ingested zinc is absorbed and most is excreted in the faeces.
Zinc in digestion process
