Carl Lowe | Dec 18, 2012
Four out of 10 older Americans are missing out on an important mineral that they need to lower their risk of heart problems, cancer, autoimmune disease and diabetes. Worldwide, an estimated 2 billion people are short of this micronutrient.The problematic mineral: zinc.
A lab study at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University shows that as we get older, our zinc transporters may become significantly dysregulated. That can cause a zinc deficiency and produce harmful inflammation that increases the risk of chronic illness.
“The elderly are the fastest growing population in the U.S. and are highly vulnerable to zinc deficiency,” says researcher Emily Ho. “They don’t consume enough of this nutrient and don’t absorb it very well.
“We’ve previously shown in both animal and human studies that zinc deficiency can cause DNA damage, and this new work shows how it can help lead to systemic inflammation. Some inflammation is normal, a part of immune defense, wound healing and other functions,” she says. “But in excess, it’s been associated with almost every degenerative disease you can think of, including cancer and heart disease. It appears to be a significant factor in the diseases that most people die from.”
Levels of zinc intake above 40 milligrams per day should be avoided, experts warn, because at very high levels they can interfere with absorption of other necessary nutrients, including iron and copper.
Source: The Mineral That May Stop Heart Disease, Cancer And Diabetes
