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Malnutrition in the Elderly pp 83–95Cite as

Diagnosis of zinc deficiency

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Summary

Though far more common, particularly in elderly people, than was previously assumed, marginal zinc deficiency does not lead to the classical manifestations of zinc deficiency and is therefore difficult to diagnose. There is therefore a need for sensitive parameters that can reliably demonstrate even marginal zinc deficiency, as suboptimal zinc status can seriously impair human health, performance, reproductive functions, and mental and physical development. The most important criteria for the diagnosis of zinc deficiency are critically discussed. The laboratory parameters currently considered to be the most useful indicators of marginal zinc deficiency are zinc-binding capacity and serum/plasma alkaline phosphatase activity before and after zinc supplementation (zinc tolerance test!). In order to obtain a reliable assessment of a patients zinc status, a number of different diagnostic parameters should always be measured.

This contribution was translated from German to English by David Playfair, 30 Cheverton Road, London N19 3AY, Great Britain, Email: DavidPlayfair@compuserve. com

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Nutritional Physiology, Technical University, Munich, Germany

    PD Dr. Hans-Peter Roth & Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Manfred Kirchgessner

  2. Institut für Ernährungsphysiologie, Technischen Universität München, D-85350, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany

    PD Dr. Hans-Peter Roth & Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Manfred Kirchgessner

Authors
  1. PD Dr. Hans-Peter Roth
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  2. Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Manfred Kirchgessner
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Geriatrische Universitätsklinik Kantonsspital, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland

    W. O. Seiler  & H. B. Stähelin  & 

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© 1999 Dr. Dietrich Steinkopff Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Darmstadt

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Roth, HP., Kirchgessner, M. (1999). Diagnosis of zinc deficiency. In: Seiler, W.O., Stähelin, H.B. (eds) Malnutrition in the Elderly. Steinkopff. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-47073-8_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-47073-8_10

  • Publisher Name: Steinkopff

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-47075-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-47073-8

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