Food scientists create zinc index for human body

Good news!

"... The human body needs zinc to boost immunity, regulate metabolism and to help heal wounds, but more than 1 billion people – or about 17% of the global population – suffer from dietary zinc deficiency. ...
“Because of the complexity and sophistication of zinc metabolism, it is very difficult to accurately measure zinc status.” ..."

From the abstract:

"... Widely used biomarkers of Zn status include plasma, whole blood, and urine Zn, which decrease in severe Zn deficiency; however, accurate assessment of Zn status, especially in mild to moderate deficiency, is difficult, as studies with these biomarkers are often contradictory and inconsistent. Thus, sensitive and specific biological markers of Zn physiological status are still needed. In this communication, we provide the Zn status index (ZSI) concept, which consists of a three-pillar formula: (1) the LA:DGLA ratio, (2) mRNA gene expression of Zn-related proteins, and (3) gut microbiome profiling to provide a clear assessment of Zn physiological status and degree of Zn deficiency with respect to assessing dietary Zn manipulation. ..."

Food scientists create zinc index for human body | Cornell Chronicle

Zinc Status Index (ZSI) for Quantification of Zinc Physiological Status (no public access)