Zinc deficiency is prevalent around the world, and among children, these mineral shortfalls can lead to stunting, embryonic malformations and neurobehavioral abnormalities. Over several decades, science has improved understanding of zinc metabolism, but an accurate, comprehensive assessment tool for its physiological status within a human body has remained elusive. Until now.
To accurately calculate from biomarkers the physiological status of a subject, Cornell food scientists have developed a new evaluation method: the Zinc Status Index.
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. The World Health Organization asked the world’s scientists to create such a robust test to determine — accurately — if someone is zinc…
