Oral zinc augmentation with vitamins A and D increases plasma zinc concentration: Implications for burden of disease

Abstract

A study evaluating zinc supplementation in patients with Alzheimer's disease yielded variable zinc plasma levels in spite of positive cognitive and physiological results. In an attempt to raise and sustain plasma zinc levels, a single patient was given 15 mg zinc/day with various combinations of vitamins. A sustained raise in plasma zinc concentration (and therefore its potential bioavailability) was obtained only when the zinc was augmented with both vitamins A and D (in RDA concentrations). In order to verify these results, a follow-up study was conducted in 70 volunteers. Seven groups of 10 healthy subjects received various combinations of zinc and the two vitamins A and D, namely: zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc plus vitamin A, zinc plus vitamin D, vitamins A and D, and zinc plus vitamins A and D. Plasma zinc levels were determined at baseline, 3 weeks and 6 weeks. Plasma zinc levels increased significantly (p < 0.02) from 11.82 (+/-2.60) to 13.32 (+/-3.04) mum/L only in the group receiving the combination of zinc and vitamins A and D. This novel method of increasing plasma zinc levels by the augmentation of vitamins A and D may have implications for the reduction of burden of disease.

Impact of overexpression of metallothionein-1 on cell cycle progression and zinc toxicity

“…In physiological terms, healthy human subjects show plasma zinc levels of ϳ12 M (38). In toxicological situations, elevated levels can be toxic to cells, a previous study indicating that, in neuroblastoma (N2␣) cell cultures exposed to 100 M of zinc (4 -24 h), loss of viability was attributable to a generation of reactive oxygen species and an activation of the MAP kinase pathway (12).…”

Glyphosate’s Suppression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Amino Acid Biosynthesis by the Gut Microbiome: Pathways to Modern Diseases

“…A study conducted in South Africa revealed that zinc supplementation was not effective in raising plasma levels of zinc in zinc-deficient Alzheimer's patients unless both vitamin A and vitamin D were simultaneously supplemented [230]. Hence, vitamin D3 deficiency (which could be caused by glyphosate's impairment of liver CYP enzymes) may interfere with zinc absorption, further depleting the supplies to the tissues.…”

Vitamin D Status and Its Consequences for Health in South Africa

“…The former study found that adjunct vitamin D supplementation together with zinc and vitamin A was more effective at increasing zinc levels, than zinc alone [70], suggesting an interaction between micronutrients. Chronic alcohol use in Western Cape adolescent 12–16 year olds was significantly associated with lower serum 25(OH)D and calcium levels and all the participants had inadequate dietary intakes of vitamin D [71].…”