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Lack of zinc leads to cancer
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
A new study of scientists for the first time shed light on the biological mechanism, which, due to the lack of zinc with age, leads to a decrease in immunity and an increased risk of diseases such as heart failure, cancer and autoimmune diseases, and diabetes.
A study of this process involved the staff of the Linus Pauling Institute at the University of Oregon.
Experts say that tinnitus, dizziness and fragility of the capillaries of the skin are possible consequences of zinc deficiency in the body, so it is very important to monitor the diet, which should include foods rich in this element.
According to the reports of scientists, about 40% of older Americans and about 2 billion people around the world receive less zinc with food than required by the body.
Research scientists included the study of this biological process in laboratory animals. It turned out that in older animals the regulation of the zinc transmitter is severely impaired. Even in the event that the subjects received an adequate dose of zinc for their age with food, an extensive inflammatory process was still observed. But when this dose was increased 10-fold, the biomarkers of older animals became the same as those of young individuals.
"Elderly people are deficient in zinc in the body, which causes many diseases," said lead author Emily Ho. "However, an important problem is that their body, subject to aging processes, loses the ability to absorb these substances at the same speed as the young."
Studies conducted earlier showed that deficiency can cause DNA damage, and the results of this study demonstrate how this can lead to systemic inflammation.
"Inflammation is a normal, natural, periodic process in the body, but if the inflammatory processes go beyond the norm, this can be a sign that the body is trying to fight diseases, such as cardiovascular disease or cancer. These processes are evidence that the body is going wrong, "say the researchers.
Given the findings, experts recommend that older people take nutritional supplements, the daily dose of which for men is 11 milligrams, and for women - 8.
Zinc is very rich in marine products and meat, as well as vegetables and grains.
Experts have found that the disruption of zinc transport mechanisms is caused by age-related epigenetic changes, which in turn can lead to DNA methylation and histone modifications. These changes are associated with many diseases, especially cancerous tumors.
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