In infants in Eastern India, giving zinc supplements on a scheduled basis over several months is associated with fewer cases of respiratory infections and diarrhoea each year, as well as slightly...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Zinc helps seal the gut and lungs to keep germs out and makes the immune system stronger. When babies get fewer infections, their bodies don’t have to work so hard fighting sickness, so they can use that energy to grow taller and heavier.
Most probable mechanism
Zinc helps repair the lining of the gut and lungs, stops harmful germs from entering the body, and makes the immune system work better. When fewer infections happen, the body uses less energy fighting sickness and instead uses that energy to grow taller and heavier.
Zinc is absorbed in the small intestine and increases intracellular zinc concentrations in enterocytes and respiratory epithelial cells
Zinc upregulates brush border enzymes and stabilizes tight junctions between epithelial cells, restoring barrier integrity in the gut and respiratory tract
Zinc inhibits chloride channel activity in the intestinal lumen and reduces fluid secretion, preventing osmotic diarrhea
Zinc directly inhibits RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in respiratory viruses, limiting their replication in the airways
Zinc enhances thymic function and T-cell differentiation, improving adaptive immune responses to pathogens
Zinc acts as a cofactor for DNA and RNA polymerases, enabling cell proliferation and tissue regeneration in bone, muscle, and intestinal lining
Reduced frequency and severity of infections lower systemic inflammation and energy expenditure on immune defense
Energy and nutrients previously diverted to fight infections are redirected toward anabolic processes, including protein synthesis and IGF-1-mediated somatic growth
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Community contributions welcome
Efficacy of prophylactic intermittent zinc supplementation for reducing acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea in infants: A randomized controlled trial
Contradicting (0)
Community contributions welcome
Gold Standard Evidence Needed
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