Zinc Supplementation Reduces Death Risk in Children, Study Finds
According to a study published in The Lancet, the risk of death in children between the ages of one and four years was significantly reduced through zinc supplementation.
The study, which was conducted in Zanzibar by scientists from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, involved more than 42,500 children that were divided into two groups. Group one was given zinc supplements on a daily basis while group two was given placebo pill.
When given the zinc supplements, children between one and four years of age were 8 percent less likely to die than children who received the placebo. When compared to children of all ages, the children given the supplements were 7 percent less likely to die.
A 5 milligram daily zinc dose was given to infants that were part of the study and 10 milligrams was administered to children over the age of one.
Zinc plays a crucial role in promoting the function of certain biological processes including the immune and nervous systems. Deficiencies in this essential mineral during pregnancy can result in a child’s brain development becoming stunted.
“This large trial demonstrates that the benefits of zinc supplementation include mortality reduction in addition to the reduction in cases of pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria that we found in previous trials.” said Senior Author Dr. Robert Black.
Frank Mangano’s commentary:
There it is in black and white folks. This African study proved that supplementing with zinc reduced infant mortality.
The problem is that in America, most people are deficient in zinc, which is why they heal at a slower rate than normal and their immune systems are constantly suppressed leading to constant sicknesses.
Other possible signs of a dificiency in this essential mineral include the loss of the senses of taste and smell, acne, recurrent colds and flu, hair loss, impaired night vision, impotence and memory impairment.
A daily intake of under 100 milligrams enhances the immune response. However a dose of more than 100 milligrams can have the opposite effect.
Some good food sources of zinc include brewer’s yeast, fish, legumes, lima beans, mushrooms, seafood, soybeans and whole grains.
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- Breastfeeding Gives Children Better Vision Than “Bottle-Fed” Babies, Study Finds
- Black Soy Beans Shown to Lower Diabetes Risk, Study Finds
- “Magnificent” Magnesium Supplementation Boosts Bone Density, Researchers Conclude
 
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Posted: April 29th, 2007 under Zinc.
