OtherHuman2023
Zinc supplementation raises serum zinc and 5'-nucleotidase activities in healthy, USA middle-aged men.
Plain-language summary
This study set out to see whether a zinc supplement improves zinc status in healthy middle-aged American men who eat meat, a group that had not been looked at. The men took 30 mg of zinc a day as zinc arginate for 6 weeks, with blood zinc and the activity of a zinc-dependent enzyme measured before and after. Both rose, but only slightly. The authors read that small rise as a sign these men were already close to full zinc function, while noting it leaves them little in reserve if demand goes up.
Key findings
- Zinc supplementation (30 mg/day as zinc arginate) for 6 weeks raised blood zinc levels in healthy middle-aged US men.
- The same supplementation also increased activity of 5'-nucleotidase, a zinc-dependent enzyme.
- Researchers suggest these men may have adequate zinc function but limited stores for times of increased demand.
How to analyze the study yourself
- Study type
- Everyone took the supplement and there was no comparison group, so the change over six weeks cannot be separated from anything else that changed in the same period.
- Population
- Healthy middle-aged non-vegetarian men in the USA
- Funding
- Not reported
- Takeaway
- This study found that zinc supplements raised blood zinc levels and activity of a zinc-dependent enzyme in healthy middle-aged men. If you're a meat-eating man in this group, it may be worth doing zinc supplements during periods of higher need, like illness or stress.