Zinc and Metabolic Disease

Due to its unique chemical nature, zinc is indispensable to diverse functional roles in protein structure, catalysis, and the dynamic regulation of metabolic processes. In support of zinc-dependent metabolic functions, the zinc content of peripheral blood plasma turns over in exchange with cells on the order of 100-fold daily. Although zinc deficiency is well-known for its effects in reducing child growth and impairing immune function, a growing body of evidence has implicated zinc intake and plasma zinc concentration in the complex etiological web of metabolic disease. In turn, stresses linked with the progression of metabolic disease interfere with protein-zinc binding and accelerate zinc loss from the body. We summarize evidence connecting zinc with metabolic disease, discuss the effects of metabolic disease on zinc homeostasis, and suggest areas for future research to integrate knowledge of zinc metabolism with efforts to prevent and treat metabolic disease.