Diminished taste acuity may account for the persistence of protein and caloric malnutrition observed in a majority of hemodialysis patients inspite of liberalization of the prescribed amount of dietary protein. Twenty-two patients undergoing thrice weekly hemodialysis for more than 6 months were tested for taste acuity and plasma zinc concentration, after which a double-blind study was instituted using a zinc supplement (50 mg of elemental zinc as zinc acetate per day) or a placebo. The threshold of taste detection and recognition for salt (NaCl), sweet (sucrose), and bitter (urea) but not for sour (HCl) improved significantly in all patients on zinc supplementation. None of these parameters improved in those taking placebo. During the study period, the mean plasma zinc level increased from 75 +/- 8 to 97 +/- 10 microgram/dl (P less than 0.001) in patients receiving zinc acetate. There was not significant change in plasma zinc level in the placebo group (75 +/- 15 to 80 +/- 15). The results of this study show that uremic hypogeusia improved in association with zinc supplementation and elevation of plasma zinc concentration.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.