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The Essential Toxin: Impact of Zinc on Human Health

Author

Listed:
  • Laura M. Plum

    (Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany)

  • Lothar Rink

    (Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany)

  • Hajo Haase

    (Institute of Immunology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany)

Abstract

Compared to several other metal ions with similar chemical properties, zinc is relatively harmless. Only exposure to high doses has toxic effects, making acute zinc intoxication a rare event. In addition to acute intoxication, long-term, high-dose zinc supplementation interferes with the uptake of copper. Hence, many of its toxic effects are in fact due to copper deficiency. While systemic homeostasis and efficient regulatory mechanisms on the cellular level generally prevent the uptake of cytotoxic doses of exogenous zinc, endogenous zinc plays a significant role in cytotoxic events in single cells. Here, zinc influences apoptosis by acting on several molecular regulators of programmed cell death, including caspases and proteins from the Bcl and Bax families. One organ where zinc is prominently involved in cell death is the brain, and cytotoxicity in consequence of ischemia or trauma involves the accumulation of free zinc. Rather than being a toxic metal ion, zinc is an essential trace element. Whereas intoxication by excessive exposure is rare, zinc deficiency is widespread and has a detrimental impact on growth, neuronal development, and immunity, and in severe cases its consequences are lethal. Zinc deficiency caused by malnutrition and foods with low bioavailability, aging, certain diseases, or deregulated homeostasis is a far more common risk to human health than intoxication.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura M. Plum & Lothar Rink & Hajo Haase, 2010. "The Essential Toxin: Impact of Zinc on Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-24, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:7:y:2010:i:4:p:1342-1365:d:7652
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Hiroshi Yasuda & Toyoharu Tsutsui, 2013. "Assessment of Infantile Mineral Imbalances in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-17, November.
    2. Nayara Vieira de Lima & Daniela Granja Arakaki & Elaine Silva de Pádua Melo & David Johane Machate & Valter Aragão do Nascimento, 2021. "Assessment of Trace Elements Supply in Canned Tuna Fish Commercialized for Human Consumption in Brazil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Germán Sánchez-Díaz & Francisco Escobar & Hannah Badland & Greta Arias-Merino & Manuel Posada de la Paz & Verónica Alonso-Ferreira, 2018. "Geographic Analysis of Motor Neuron Disease Mortality and Heavy Metals Released to Rivers in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-10, November.
    4. Shi-Bo Fang & Hao Hu & Wan-Chun Sun & Jian-Jun Pan, 2011. "Spatial Variations of Heavy Metals in the Soils of Vegetable-Growing Land along Urban-Rural Gradient of Nanjing, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-12, May.
    5. Thomas Murphy & Kongkea Phan & Kim Neil Irvine & David Lean, 2021. "The Role of Micronutrients and Toxic Metals in the Management of Epidemics in Cambodia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-25, October.
    6. Yuliia Medvedeva & Anatolii Kucher & Joanna Lipsa & Maria Hełdak, 2021. "Human Health Risk Assessment on the Consumption of Apples Growing in Urbanized Areas: Case of Kharkiv, Ukraine," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
    7. Michał Kupiec & Paweł Pieńkowski & Beata Bosiacka & Izabela Gutowska & Patrycja Kupnicka & Adam Prokopowicz & Dariusz Chlubek & Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka, 2019. "Old and New Threats—Trace Metals and Fluoride Contamination in Soils at Defunct Smithy Sites," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-20, March.
    8. Ru Zhang & Yonghua Li & Yuefeng Xu & Zhenfeng Zang & Hairong Li & Li Wang, 2020. "Effects of Dietary Supplements on the Bioaccessibility of Se, Zn and Cd in Rice: Preliminary Observations from In Vitro Gastrointestinal Simulation Tests," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-11, July.
    9. Luqman, Muhammad & Awan, Muhammad Umer Farooq & Khan, Shaukat Hayat & Ahmed, Razzaq & Yang, Hsi-Hsien & Goraya, Muhammad Rizwan, 2023. "Wastewater driven trace element transfer up the food chain in peri-urban agricultural lands of Lahore, Pakistan," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    10. Luana C. S. Leite & Elaine S. de P. Melo & Daniela G. Arakaki & Elisvânia F. dos Santos & Valter A. do Nascimento, 2020. "Human Health Risk Assessment through Roasted Meats Consumption," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-23, September.
    11. Chirhakarhula E. Chubaka & Harriet Whiley & John W. Edwards & Kirstin E. Ross, 2018. "Lead, Zinc, Copper, and Cadmium Content of Water from South Australian Rainwater Tanks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-12, July.
    12. Uchenna Okereafor & Mamookho Makhatha & Lukhanyo Mekuto & Nkemdinma Uche-Okereafor & Tendani Sebola & Vuyo Mavumengwana, 2020. "Toxic Metal Implications on Agricultural Soils, Plants, Animals, Aquatic life and Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-24, March.

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