Summary
This paper, published as part of a supplement to the British Journal of Nutrition, provides a narrative review of the determinants of zinc bioavailability from dietary sources and critically appraises the available biomarkers used to assess zinc nutritional status. It likely discusses the role of dietary inhibitors such as phytate and the enhancing effects of animal protein, alongside the limitations of existing biomarkers in reliably detecting marginal zinc deficiency. The review is likely intended to inform dietary reference values and nutritional assessment methodology.
UK applicability
Although the review is international in scope, its findings are directly relevant to UK dietary assessment practice and the setting of UK and European dietary reference values for zinc, particularly in the context of population groups at risk of inadequate intake such as vegetarians and older adults.
Key measures
Zinc bioavailability estimates; plasma zinc concentration (µmol/L); urinary zinc excretion; metallothionein levels; fractional zinc absorption
Outcomes reported
The paper reviews the factors affecting zinc bioavailability from foods and the adequacy of current biomarkers for assessing zinc status in human populations. It likely evaluates the sensitivity and specificity of markers such as plasma zinc, metallothionein, and urinary zinc in detecting deficiency or adequacy.
Topic tags
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