Zinc in Blood Cuts Risk of Pneumonia in Elders: Study

Scientists have discovered that normal blood zinc concentrations cuts the risk of pneumonia in elders by half.

The study was led by Simin Nikbin Meydani, director of the Nutritional Immunology Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University in Boston, Mass.

Zinc Plays Crucial Role in Fertilization of Healthy Eggs
Scientists have found that healthy eggs need a tremendous amount of zinc to reach maturity and be ready for fertilization.

The team found low serum (blood) zinc concentrations in the study participants at baseline and after one year of follow-up. All participants had been supplemented with half of the recommended dietary allowance of essential vitamins and minerals, including zinc, during the trial.

Normal zinc status patients were not only at a reduced the risk of developing pneumonia, but also resulted in fewer new prescriptions for antibiotics, a shorter duration of pneumonia, and fewer days of antibiotic use compared with residents who had low zinc levels.

In addition, mortality was lower in those with adequate blood zinc levels.

Zinc-based Homeopathic Remedy for Cold can Cause Loss of Smell
A popular zinc-based homeopathic remedy for the common cold that is sold over the counter is not only ineffective but can cause users to lose their sense of smell, a study published Monday warned.

Still, the authors note that controlled clinical trials are needed to test the efficacy of zinc supplementation as a low-cost intervention to reduce mortality due to pneumonia among vulnerable populations who already have low zinc levels.

Source-ANI

Pneumonia, Diarrhea, and Malaria Identified as the Primary Causes of Death of 6 Million Poor Children
A team of researchers from Johns Hopkins University have recently discovered that pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria are the primary causes of death of 6 million poor children worldwide.

Pneumonia Rates Among Indigenous Children Highest in the World: MJA
Rates of severe pneumonia in hospitalised Northern Territory Indigenous children are among the highest reported in the world.