Sigma Nutrition Radio #565: How Zinc Insufficiency Impacts Inflammation, Immunity & Aging – Prof. Emily Ho
Jun 3, 2025
In this discussion, Prof. Emily Ho, Director of the Linus Pauling Institute, sheds light on the often-overlooked role of zinc in health. She reveals that zinc insufficiency affects about 10% of the U.S. population, impairing immune function and accelerating aging. The concept of 'inflammaging' is explored, showcasing how low zinc levels contribute to chronic inflammation as we age. Her insights on the importance of adequate zinc for DNA integrity and overall disease prevention illustrate why this micronutrient should not be underestimated.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Zinc’s Vast Biological Roles
- Zinc is vital for every dividing cell in the body and impacts many systems including immune, GI tract, and brain.
- It serves as a stable transition metal important for over 300 enzymes and thousands of zinc-associated proteins.
Zinc Deficiency Diagnosis Challenges
- Zinc deficiency symptoms are broad and nonspecific, making clinical diagnosis difficult.
- Blood zinc levels detect severe deficiency but fail to identify mild insufficiency which still impairs biological function.
Widespread Zinc Insufficiency in Older Adults
- Around 12-15% of the general population in the US have low zinc intakes, with 40-45% of adults over 55 affected.
- Older adults both consume less zinc and absorb it less efficiently, suggesting age-specific RDAs are needed.