Zinc Deficiency and Heart Failure: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature

The human heart requires energy from micro and macro nutrients both to regenerate proteins and cells, and to support cyclic contractions.1 Heart failure (HF) is a systemic illness associated with neuro-hormonal activation leading to elevated levels of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress. Normally, micronutrients are only required in small amounts for antioxidant activities. However, in the HF state, there is increased generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. As such, antioxidant enzymes – the generation of which relies on the availability of micronutrients such as zinc – are upregulated in stressed cardiac tissue, however are likely overwhelmed by the excess of the oxidant insult.

Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - January 10, 2020 Category: Cardiology Authors: Hannah Rosenblum, Jeffrey D. Wessler, Aakriti Gupta, Mathew S. Maurer, Behnood Bikdeli Tags: Review Article Source Type: research