ZINC

What is zinc?

The body needs only minimal amounts of zinc. It is a trace mineral, meaning humans do not produce it naturally. Therefore, we must get zinc from dietary sources or supplementation. Zinc deficiency may be a common feature in infectious diseases; a study found it was the most common deficiency in an infectious disease clinic [^[1]]. Zinc deficiency, however, is also generally common worldwide, especially in the Global South nations [^[2]]. Insufficient zinc intake is associated with an increased risk of respiratory tract infections, especially in older people [^[3]].

What does zinc do in the body?

Zinc’s important roles include cell growth and reproduction, immune function, and metabolism. In addition to being an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound, zinc may decrease viral replication. In acute COVID-19 patients, zinc supplementation can improve lung function, improve mucus clearance, and reduce lung injury from ventilators in critical patients. Zinc deficiency may also be associated with anosmia (loss of smell) and dysgeusia (loss of taste), which can last for some time after acute COVID infection [^[3]].

How can zinc help alleviate certain Long COVID symptoms and pathophysiology?

Researchers believe a potential reason for the persistence of Long COVID symptoms is that zinc deficiency is not adequately addressed in the conventional “standard of care” [^[4]]. Zinc deficiency is linked to acute, persistent inflammation, which is a feature of Long COVID [^[5]]. It can also affect certain types of lung cells and decrease lung barrier function [^[6]]. Therefore, zinc supplementation may help reduce the body’s inflammatory response in Long COVID, particularly in the lungs.