Giving zinc supplements to infants at intervals is linked to fewer cases of mild respiratory infections and fewer severe cases of diarrhoea, with a stronger effect on the more serious diarrhoea cases.
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
Zinc helps seal the lining of the gut and lungs so germs can’t get in, and it helps the body’s defense cells work better to kill viruses before they spread. This is why babies get fewer and less severe colds and diarrhea when they get zinc.
Most probable mechanism
Zinc helps seal the lining of the gut and lungs, stops germs from getting in, and helps the body fight off infections better by boosting immune cells and slowing down virus replication.
Zinc is absorbed in the small intestine and increases intracellular zinc concentrations in epithelial cells of the gut and respiratory tract
Zinc stabilizes tight junctions between epithelial cells and promotes regeneration of the epithelial lining in both the intestine and respiratory tract
Zinc enhances the activity of brush border enzymes in the gut, improving nutrient absorption and reducing osmotic fluid secretion
Zinc inhibits chloride ion channels in the intestinal epithelium, reducing fluid loss and diarrhea
Zinc acts as a cofactor for enzymes involved in immune cell function, enhancing the activity of neutrophils, macrophages, and T-cells
Zinc supports thymic function and T-cell differentiation, improving adaptive immune responses to pathogens
Zinc directly inhibits RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity in respiratory and enteric viruses, reducing viral replication
Reduced infection burden redirects energy and nutrients from immune defense to growth processes, improving overall health and resilience
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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