What does zinc do for the immune system?

Zinc supports immunity in several ways: it activates antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, helps the thymus mature T cells, and plays a role in phagocytosis and cytokine production. A zinc deficiency weakens these defenses and increases susceptibility to infections.

Why is zinc important for bone health?

Most of the body's zinc is stored in bone tissue, where it supports growth, development, and the way calcium is deposited into bone. Adequate zinc intake is especially important during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and childhood growth, and alongside other nutrients it supports bone strength later in life.

Can zinc help with skin problems like acne?

Zinc has antioxidant properties and supports tissue regeneration and wound healing, which is why it is often used in the treatment of acne, psoriasis, and eczema. It also plays a role in maintaining healthy hair and nails, and a deficiency is linked to hair loss and skin that becomes dry, rough, or inflamed.

What are the signs of zinc deficiency?

Common signs include impaired taste or smell, loss of appetite, slow wound healing, fatigue, hair loss, and reduced resistance to infections. Skin, nail, and hair quality often deteriorate as well. Adequate zinc is especially important during pregnancy and adolescence, when a deficiency can affect development.

Zinc and its Diverse Functions

4.4.2021 · Updated: 14.10.2026

Articles

Zinc and its diverse functions in the body

In the human body, zinc is found only in very small concentrations, yet it is a vital element for all biochemical and physiological functions. It acts as a component or activator of a wide range of enzymes and is needed for the correct synthesis of proteins and DNA. Due to its specific physical and chemical properties, which enable it to form characteristic compounds, it is one of the most 'ubiquitous' nutrients not only in the human body but also in other animals and plants, playing an important role in their metabolism.

What will you learn from this article?

Zinc and Immunity
Zinc and Healthy Bones
The Benefits of Zinc for Hair, Nails, and Skin
Correlation Between Zinc and Testosterone
Effects of Zinc Deficiency
Key Takeaways

Zinc and Immunity

Food has a major impact on health and on how the immune system responds. A varied diet supplies a combination of nutrients that help the body fight viruses and bacteria effectively. Almost all macro- and micronutrients are directly or indirectly involved in supporting immune function, and a nutritional deficiency can suppress it and increase susceptibility to infection. Because vitamins and minerals are essential and the body cannot make them on its own, we depend on getting them from food.

Zinc is a trace element essential for the immune system, and its deficiency affects the body's defenses. Good zinc levels help the body increase its resistance to pathogens and fight bacteria and viruses.

Zinc as an antioxidant activator

Zinc is present in every cell and takes part in more than 200 enzymes identified in human biological systems, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), an essential component of the body's antioxidant defense system. Zinc affects the activity of SOD and stabilizes its molecular structure.

SOD helps regenerate cells, limit their decay, and neutralize potentially harmful oxygen molecules. It helps break down hydrogen peroxide, one of the most reactive free radicals, into water and oxygen, which may help prevent damage to tissues. Several forms of SOD exist, differing in which metal they bind (zinc, copper, manganese, or iron); the metal bound in its reactive centre determines where it is distributed in the cell and how sensitive it is to various reagents. The zinc-dependent form of SOD is mainly found in the cell cytosol, where it provides protection.

Zinc and cell regeneration

Zinc also plays a structural role in small proteins called zinc fingers, named after their finger-like shape. Zinc binds and stabilizes these protein structures, making them more stable. Zinc fingers are structurally diverse and carry out a broad range of functions in cellular processes such as DNA replication and repair, transcription and translation, metabolism and cell signaling, cell division, and apoptosis. They typically act as interaction modules that bind to nucleic acids, proteins, and other small molecules, and they can play a key role in the natural regeneration of tissues.

Zinc and the thymus: supporting T-cell development

The thymus gland is essential for the development of the immune system and is at its largest in childhood; after puberty, it gradually shrinks and is replaced by fat. If zinc levels are low, thymus activity is reduced, because the thymic hormone thymulin depends on the presence of zinc. Lymphocytes travel from the bone marrow to the thymus, where, under the influence of several hormones, they mature into different cell types, including helper, killer, and suppressor T cells. This maturation process depends on adequate zinc, since only cells able to recognize specific pathogens are released from the thymus.

Zinc and the immune system

Structural and functional roles in immune defense

As a trace element present in all body tissues and fluids, zinc also helps maintain the structural integrity of the skin and mucosal membranes, which act as a first line of defense. Zinc deficiency affects phagocytosis (the process by which immune cells engulf pathogens), intracellular killing of pathogens, and cytokine production, all of which are important parts of the immune response. The growth and function of T and B lymphocytes are also adversely affected when zinc is lacking.

Zinc and Healthy Bones

Zinc is present in trace amounts in all cells of the body, but the majority is found in the bones. Especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the growth period, the body needs sufficient quantities of zinc for proper growth, development, and bone formation. Additionally, in cases of fractures and as a prevention of osteoporosis (along with other bone-supporting nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, silicon, etc.), zinc plays a role, for example, in helping to store calcium in the bone.

The Benefits of Zinc for Hair, Nails, and Skin

Zinc is a mineral of beauty. It It is crucial to our overall well-being, including skin health and also healthy hair and nails. Lack of zinc is considered to be one of the causes of hair loss. It acts as an antioxidant, mitigating aging processes, and participates in cell regeneration. About 6% of the zinc content in our body is found in the skin. Zinc stimulates tissue regeneration and has the ability to speed up the healing of wounds, scars, ulcers and virtually eliminate all skin defects. It is also linked with the treatment of burns. It is often used in the treatment of psoriasis, acne and various eczemas. Already in the past, this metal element has been used in medicine to relieve itching, speed up the healing of various skin injuries, but also as an effective remedy for burning eyes and other eye problems.

Zinc affects taste and smell, and its deficiency can be manifested especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy by sensitivity to smells. It is also often used when you have a bad taste, it increases the sharpness of taste and stimulates the appetite. Conversely, loss of appetite can also indicate a deficiency of this mineral.

Correlation Between Zinc and Testosterone

For men, zinc is a key nutrient as it helps maintain normal testosterone levels in the blood and contributes to normal fertility and reproduction. It plays an important role in the development of the genitals. Several studies have noted that low levels of testosterone and zinc in the body simultaneously can be increased by raising zinc levels through diet or supplements, thereby helping to increase testosterone levels and vice versa. Zinc deficiency can lead to low testosterone levels

Effects of Zinc Deficiency

Zinc deficiency is associated with disorders such as impaired smell or taste, loss of appetite, slow wound healing, depressed mood, fatigue, reduced immunity, and hair loss. Hair, nail, and skin quality often deteriorate. The skin becomes rough, dry, inflamed, and small cracks or blisters may form. It's important to consider possible zinc deficiency in children who experience loss of appetite and frequent illness. During adolescence, zinc deficiency can affect growth and lead to developmental disorders.

Adequate zinc levels are particularly crucial during pregnancy, as it influences numerous developmental processes. Deficiency in the mother's body may lead to complications, spontaneous abortions, or premature births.

A sufficient supply of zinc is also necessary for diabetics, as it is important for insulin production. Insufficient insulin production can affect sugar metabolism in the diabetic's body.

Key Takeaways

Zinc supports immunity on several levels: it activates antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), helps mature T cells in the thymus via the hormone thymulin, and supports phagocytosis and cytokine production.
Zinc is important for bone health: it supports growth and bone formation, particularly during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and childhood, and plays a role in how calcium is deposited in bone.
Zinc benefits skin, hair, and nails: it has antioxidant properties, supports wound healing and tissue regeneration, and a lack of it is linked to hair loss and skin problems.
Zinc contributes to normal testosterone levels and fertility in men: low zinc status has been linked to reduced testosterone, and supplementation in zinc-deficient men can help restore levels.
Zinc deficiency can affect multiple body systems at once: signs may include impaired taste or smell, slower wound healing, hair loss, fatigue, and greater susceptibility to infections, which is why adequate zinc is especially important during pregnancy and adolescence.

Sources:

[1] Prasad AS. Zinc in Human Health: Effect of Zinc on Immune Cells. Molecular Medicine. 2008;14(5-6):353-357. doi:10.2119/2008-00033.Prasad. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2277319/

[2] Prasad AS. Zinc: Mechanisms of Host Defense. The Journal of Nutrition. 2007;137(5):1345-1349. doi:10.1093/jn/137.5.1345. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17449604/

[3] Marreiro DN, Cruz KJC, Morais JBS, et al. Zinc and Oxidative Stress: Current Mechanisms. Antioxidants. 2017;6(2):24. doi:10.3390/antiox6020024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5488004/

[4] Cassandri M, Smirnov A, Novelli F, et al. Zinc-finger proteins in health and disease. Cell Death Discovery. 2017;3:17071. doi:10.1038/cddiscovery.2017.71. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5683310/

[5] Molenda M, Kolmas J. The Role of Zinc in Bone Tissue Health and Regeneration – A Review. Biological Trace Element Research. 2023. doi:10.1007/s12011-023-03631-1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10620276/

[6] Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS. Zinc therapy in dermatology: a review. Dermatology Research and Practice. 2014;2014:709152. doi:10.1155/2014/709152. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4120804/

[7] Prasad AS, Mantzoros CS, Beck FW, Hess JW, Brewer GJ. Zinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adults. Nutrition. 1996;12(5):344-348. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8875519/

[8] EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to zinc. EFSA Journal. 2009;7(9):1229. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/1229

Eva Potužníková

Clinical Naturopath & B2B Communication

At Trime, Eva manages partnerships with B2B partners and customers. Thanks to her long-standing interest in nutrition and naturopathy, she also prepares expert materials and information for articles. She is now also involved in developing the Trime brand in international markets, particularly in Spain.