Zinc deficiency induces high blood pressure, finds new study

Zinc deficiency induces high blood pressure finds a new study. Lower-than-normal zinc levels may contribute to high blood pressure by altering the way the kidneys handle sodium. The study has been published in the American Journal of Physiology--Renal Physiology.

Zinc is an essential micronutrient that is crucial to almost every aspect of your health.It’s second only to iron as the most abundant trace mineral in our body.Zinc may enhance immune function, stabilize blood sugar levels, and help keep skin, eyes, and heart healthy.There are several forms of zinc supplements that impact our health in unique ways. They’re generally available in capsule, tablet, and lozenge form. Zinc-containing nasal sprays should be avoided.

Researchers compared male mice with zinc deficiency to healthy controls with normal zinc levels. The zinc-deficient mice developed high blood pressure and a corresponding decrease in urinary sodium excretion. The control group did not experience the same changes. A small group of the zinc-deficient mice were fed a zinc-rich diet partway through the study. Once the animals' zinc reached adequate levels, blood pressure began to drop and urinary sodium levels increased. "These significant findings demonstrate that enhanced renal [sodium] reabsorption plays a critical role in [zinc-deficiency]-induced hypertension," the research team wrote.

Zinc deficiency is common in people with chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. People with low zinc levels are also at a higher risk for hypertension. The way in which the kidneys either excrete sodium into the urine or reabsorb it into the body--specifically through a pathway called the sodium chloride cotransporter (NCC)--also plays a role in blood pressure control. Less sodium in the urine typically corresponds with higher blood pressure. Recent research has suggested that zinc may help regulate proteins that in turn regulate the NCC, but a direct link between zinc-deficiency-induced hypertension has not been examined.

"Understanding the specific mechanisms by which [zinc deficiency] contributes to [blood pressure] dysregulation may have an important effect on the treatment of hypertension in chronic disease settings," the researchers added.

For further reference log on to :

Clintoria R. Williams et al, Zinc Deficiency Induces Hypertension by Promoting Renal Sodium Reabsorption, American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology (2019). DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00487.2018