Nutritional Advice El Mondo
Objectives:
Zinc is an essential trace element for living organisms and their biological processes. Zinc plays a key role in more than 300 enzymes and it is involved in cell communication, proliferation, differentiation and survival. Zinc also plays a role in regulating the immune system with implications in pathologies where zinc deficiency and inflammation are observed. Therefore, this meta-analysis (systematic review) has been conducted.
Do zinc deficiency increase risk of autoimmune disorders?
Study design:
This review article included 62 case-control studies.
The manner of collecting and investigating zinc samples was very heterogeneous.
Results and conclusions:
The investigators found in fixed model that serum zinc concentration of autoimmune disease patients was significantly lower than in controls [mean effect = -1.19, 95% CI = -1.26 to -1.11].
The investigators found in fixed model that plasma zinc concentration of autoimmune disease patients was significantly lower than in controls [mean effect = -3.97, 95% CI = -4.08 to -3.87].
The investigators concluded that a deficiency of zinc in serum and plasma increases risk of autoimmune disorders in humans.
Original title:
Zinc Status and Autoimmunity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by Sanna A, Firinu D, […], Valera P.
Link:
http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/1/68/htm
Additional information of El Mondo:
Find here more information/studies about zinc and chronic diseases.
An autoimmune disease is a condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your body. These are the most common autoimmune diseases:
- Addison’s disease: Caused by an adrenal hormone insufficiency. Addison’s disease can lead to muscle weakness and fatigue, nausea, weight loss, irritability, low blood pressure, low blood sugar and depression.
- Celiac disease (gluten allergy): Celiac disease is a reaction to gluten (found in barley, rye and wheat) that causes damage to the lining of the small intestine.
- Graves’ disease: Caused by extremely overactive thyroid gland. People who have Graves’ disease may have difficulty sleeping, bulging of the eyes, irritability, brittle hair, unexplained weight loss, sensitivity to heat, muscle weakness, light menstrual periods and shakiness of the hands. On the other hand, some people with Graves’ disease may experience no symptoms at all.
- Hashimoto’s disease: Caused by inflammation of the thyroid gland. Although sometimes no symptoms occur, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis often results in a goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland, which may be visible as a bulge in the neck), weight gain, fatigue, muscle weakness, depression, cold sensitivity, dry hair and skin, and constipation.
- Inflammatory bowel disease: This disease refers to a group of inflammatory diseases of the colon and small intestine.
- Multiple Sclerosis or MS: This disease affects the brain and spinal cord. People who have MS may experience weakness, trouble with balance and coordination, problems speaking and walking, tremors, paralysis and numbness in the extremities.
- Psoriasis: This is a skin condition that causes redness and irritation as well as thick, flaky, silver-white patches.
- Pernicious anemia: Caused by the inability to absorb vitamin B12 leading to a decrease in red blood cells.
- Reactive arthritis: Caused by inflammation of joints, the urethra and eyes.
- Raynaud’s phenomenon: People with Raynaud’s have a problem with blood flow, resulting in numbness, tingling of the fingers, discoloration, toes and tip of the nose with exposure to cold temperatures.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: In rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmunity causes the immune system to attack tissues in the joints. It typically affects the small joints in your hands and feet causing painful swelling, stiffness and loss of movement in the joints that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.
- Scleroderma: Scleroderma is a connective tissue disease that causes changes in skin, muscles, blood vessels and internal organs.
- Sjögren’s syndrome: Caused by destruction of the glands that produce tears and saliva causing dry eyes and mouth.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus: In lupus, antibodies made by the immune system attack the body. Systemic lupus erythematosus can affect skin, kidneys, joints and brain.
- Type 1 diabetes: In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. When your insulin levels are insufficient, your body cannot control your blood glucose level, which can lead to a number of problems, including kidney failure, stroke, vision loss, circulation problems and heart disease.