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Lower Serum Zinc Concentration Despite Higher Dietary Zinc Intake in Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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Abstract

Background

Zinc is an essential trace element that has been implicated in numerous biological functions, including immunity, energy metabolism and antioxidative processes. Recent evaluations of the literature have provided evidence of significant acute changes in zinc metabolism following a bout of aerobic exercise.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the zinc status of trained athletes compared with control populations, as described in cross-sectional studies.

Design

We conducted a systematic literature search of the PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Cochrane Library electronic databases from inception to 28 January 2016 to identify cross-sectional studies that determined the zinc status of athletes compared with a control population. Meta-analysis of the differences in serum zinc concentration and dietary zinc intake between groups were conducted.

Results

Twelve studies were included in the systematic review. Of the included studies, nine and eight studies provided sufficient data for the meta-analysis of serum zinc concentration and dietary zinc intake, respectively. Serum zinc concentration was significantly lower in athletes [− 0.93 μmol/L, 95% confidence interval (CI) − 1.62 to − 0.23] despite significantly higher dietary zinc intake compared with the control population (2.57 mg/day, 95% CI 0.97–4.16). Data on erythrocyte and urinary zinc from the included studies were insufficient for meta-analysis.

Conclusions

Despite higher total dietary zinc intake, athletes generally have lower serum zinc concentration, which suggests that athletes have higher requirement of zinc than those who are physically inactive. Further investigations of zinc metabolism during exercise and dietary zinc requirement in active populations are needed to establish evidence-based recommendations.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand

    Anna Chu, Cushla Holdaway, Trishala Varma & Samir Samman

  2. Department of Statistics, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia

    Peter Petocz

  3. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Samir Samman

Authors
  1. Anna Chu
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  2. Cushla Holdaway
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  3. Trishala Varma
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  4. Peter Petocz
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  5. Samir Samman
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Contributions

Anna Chu and Samir Samman designed the research; Anna Chu, Cushla Holdaway, Trishala Varma and Samir Samman conducted the research; Anna Chu, Peter Petocz and Samir Samman analysed the data; and Anna Chu, Cushla Holdaway, Peter Petocz and Samir Samman wrote the paper. Samir Samman had primary responsibility for the final content. All authors read and approved the final version submitted for publication.

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Correspondence to Samir Samman.

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No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this article.

Conflict of interest

Anna Chu, Cushla Holdaway, Trishala Varma, Peter Petocz and Samir Samman declare that they have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this review.

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Chu, A., Holdaway, C., Varma, T. et al. Lower Serum Zinc Concentration Despite Higher Dietary Zinc Intake in Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Med 48, 327–336 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0818-8

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