Zinc is an essential trace element for many biological processes. Its deficiency can lead to chronic diseases. In 2021, Japanese experts studied the effect of zinc supplements on bone mineral density (BMD) changes in older people with osteoporosis.

Research background

In 2014, Chinese scientists examined eight clinical studies and found an association between zinc deficiency and osteoporosis. A meta-analysis is a crucial tool in evidence-based medicine.

In 2013, scientists from the University of Karlsruhe (Germany) investigated the spatial distribution of zinc in the human body. They found that most of the zinc is located in the skeleton.

Scientists from the UK back in 1976 showed that the zinc concentration in bones decreases with age.

In 1990, Israeli scientists found that zinc excretion in the urine accelerates in the postmenopausal period. The researchers hypothesized that this process reflects the increased rate of bone resorption in old age.

In 2010, scientists from Emory University (USA) showed that zinc prevents bone destruction in laboratory conditions. Scientists have found that zinc inhibits the development of osteoclasts – cells that destroy bone tissue. At the same time, zinc slowed the formation of new osteoclasts and stimulated the programmed death of mature osteoclasts.

A group of Japanese scientists in 1993, 1994 and 2008 discovered the mechanisms of the stimulating effect of zinc on the reproduction, maturation and functioning of osteoblasts – cells that form bone tissue. These studies have also shown that zinc has a beneficial effect on fracture healing. As a result, it was proved that zinc stimulates the formation and mineralization of bone.

Study Design

The clinical study involved 131 men and women, averaging 74 ± 7 years. All participants were diagnosed with primary or secondary osteoporosis caused by glucocorticoid treatment. Each person has been treated with bisphosphonates or monoclonal antibodies for over a year. Each participant was also deficient in zinc.

In the course of the study, all subjects, except for the treatment of osteoporosis, received additional zinc supplements twice a day for one year.

Every six months, all participants were examined. Participants measured bone mineral density in different calving skeletons. The scientists also monitored the kidney function of the participants and the changes in their blood parameters: biochemical parameters, the content of micro- and macroelements, and vitamins.

Results

After 12 months, the subjects’ bone mineral density improved significantly. In the lumbar spine, BMD increased by 4.2% in men and 5.4% in women (first graph). BMD of the femur increased by 1.4% in men and 2.7% in women (second graph). BMD of the femoral neck increased in men – by 2.1% and by 3.2% in women (third graph).

The dotted line marks the change in BMD in men and the solid line in women:

Image source: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/1814

The parameters determined by blood serum did not change significantly, except for zinc, which increased. Moreover, a higher zinc content corresponded to an increased mineral density of the lumbar spine, femur, and femoral neck.

Side effects in the form of nausea were observed in 9 participants who were forced to stop the experiment. There were no other side effects.

Сonclusions

Zinc is an essential micronutrient for bone health. Due to zinc deficiency, osteoporosis can develop in old age. Zinc supplementation increases the bone mineral density of various parts of the skeleton, but a side effect of nausea is possible.

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