Zinc and IBD

What is zinc?

Zinc is an essential nutrient that plays many roles in the body. As the body does not produce zinc naturally, it is important to obtain it through food or supplements.

Zinc is needed for key processes such as gene expression, enzymatic reactions, immune functions, protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, wound healing, and growth/development.

 

Why do we need it?

Zinc is the second most abundant trace mineral in our body, after iron, and is present in every cell of our body (1).

It is also important for the activity of numerous enzymes that aid in processes like metabolism, nerve function and digestion, and hence important in IBD.

It is fundamental to skin health and protein production and body growth and development as zinc plays a role in cell growth and division.

Fun Fact: Zinc is needed for your senses of taste and smell! An enzyme crucial for taste and smell is dependent on zinc and a deficiency can reduce the intensity of these senses.

 

How much zinc do we need?

The recommended daily intake for zinc in the UK is 9.5mg for adult men and 7mg for adult women.


Where can I find Zinc?

It is naturally found in a variety of plant and animal foods. Foods that may not have natural zinc present, such as breakfast cereals, snack bars and flour are often fortified with of zinc.

Here are some specific foods containing zinc (2):

  • Oysters

  • Shellfish

  • Fish

  • Chicken

  • Pumpkin seeds (and other nuts and seeds)

  • Eggs

  • Yoghurt and Swiss cheese (and other dairy products)

  • Chickpeas

  • Oatmeal (and other wholegrains)

It is important to note that zinc found in plant sources are often absorbed less effectively due to other compounds that prevent absorption, hence you may not get as much zinc as you think from these foods.

Zinc can also be taken through supplements or multi-nutrient supplements that provide zinc. However, always consult your GP/doctor when starting a new supplement.

 

Inflammation

Zinc is known to decrease oxidative stress and lower levels of some inflammatory proteins in the body. Oxidative stress leads to chronic inflammation that results in many chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and cognitive decline. A study in 40 older adults, who took a specific dosed zinc supplement experienced low inflammatory markers when compared to the other group that had a placebo (3). 

 

Zinc and IBD

Zinc deficiency is common in patients with IBD during disease and even in remission. The prevalence of zinc deficiency ranges from 15%-40% of IBD patients (4, 5). Chronic diarrhoea, inflammation and the use of acid blockers can cause a deficiency. Acid blockers reduce stomach acid which is needed to help nutrients like zinc to be absorbed.

Evidence suggests that people with IBD who have a zinc deficiency are more likely to have adverse disease-specific outcomes and these outcomes improve when zinc levels are monitored closely, and levels are maintained (6). They also found that zinc deficiency also increased hospitalisations and operations in Crohn’s Disease. If you are concerned, then you can ask your IBD team to test your zinc levels through a blood test.

 

Symptoms of zinc deficiency

  • loss of or diminished smell and taste

  • poor wound healing

  • hair loss

  • roughening of skin/rashes

  • low libido (men)

  • canker sores

  • lethargy

  • deformed nails

  • diarrhoea

It is important to note that zinc deficiency is difficult to detect and often laboratory results may report levels a normal when they may not actually be. Hence it is important to see your GP/doctor when getting zinc levels checked so they can look at other factors.


Zinc Toxicity

Zinc toxicity can also occur due to excessive supplement intake, and symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headaches, abdominal cramps and reduced immune function. Please seek medical attention if you think you may have zinc toxicity.

 

If you would like help and support with your IBD and what dietary and lifestyle changes would be appropriate for you, please get in touch. You can book a free call, where I can get to know you, your journey, your struggles, your life, and we can chat about the best route forward for you. You can also ask any questions you have about working with me.

I have also written a free e-book to help you find a way forward for your everyday life with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Whether you are right at the beginning of your journey with IBD or have been living with your condition for years and feel like you have tried almost everything, there are things you can do everyday, beyond the medication you are taking, to help you take back control.

Disclaimer: All content found on the nalmclinic.com website, including: text, video, or other formats have been created for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor, consultant or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

We are all wonderfully unique and what works for one person may not work for another so please seek help and advice before changing your diet to work out the right way forward for you.


References

1.     Lim, K.H., Riddell, L.J., Nowson, C.A., Booth, A.O. and Szymlek-Gay, E.A., 2013. Iron and zinc nutrition in the economically-developed world: a review. Nutrients, 5(8), pp.3184-3211. 

2.     Office of Dietary Supplements - Zinc [Internet]. Ods.od.nih.gov. 2021 [cited 27 May 2022]. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/#h3

3.      Bao, B., Prasad, A.S., Beck, F.W., Fitzgerald, J.T., Snell, D., Bao, G.W., Singh, T. and Cardozo, L.J., 2010. Zinc decreases C-reactive protein, lipid peroxidation, and inflammatory cytokines in elderly subjects: a potential implication of zinc as an atheroprotective agent. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 91(6), pp.1634-1641.

4.       Vagianos K, Bector S, McConnell J, Bernstein CN. Nutrition assessment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 2007 Jul;31(4):311-9

5.      Alkhouri RH, Hashmi H, Baker RD, Gelfond D, Baker SS. Vitamin and mineral status in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. 2013 Jan 1;56(1):89-92.

6.      Siva S, Rubin DT, Gulotta G, Wroblewski K, Pekow J. Zinc deficiency is associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel diseases. 2017 Jan 1;23(1):152-

Clemmie Macpherson