Crohn's disease is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the intestinal tract. Common symptoms include fatigue, abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss. Its cause is unknown, but the U.K. National Health Service website, NHS Choices, states that genetic and environmental factors might contribute to its development. Prescription medicines offer symptom relief and help to prevent flareups, although most Crohn's patients will eventually require surgery to repair the damage to their intestines. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that zinc also might help the body to repair intestinal tissue, but should not be used in place of medical treatments. Get medical advice before taking zinc supplements.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Zinc is an essential mineral that plays an important role in enzymatic reactions, protein and DNA synthesis, cell division, wound healing and immune function. The Office of Dietary Supplements notes that it plays a role in the treatment of a number of conditions, including the common cold and age-related macular degeneration. Research findings published in the May 2001 issue of "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases" also show that it helps to improve intestinal barrier function in Crohn's disease patients.
Administration
A wide variety of foods contain zinc, including oysters, crab, chicken, cashews, raisin bran, Swiss cheese, kidney beans and yogurt. Zinc also is available as a dietary supplement, either in tablets or capsules. The UMMC website suggests taking 25 mg of zinc daily to aid repair of intestinal tissue, but check with your pharmacist or doctor about the dose that is suitable for you.
Scientific Evidence
Studies evaluating the role of zinc in the treatment of Crohn's disease are limited, but a medical review article published in the November 2009 issue of "Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care" states that zinc might help to minimize treatment-related side effects. An article published in the November 2009 issue of "Digestive Diseases" adds that zinc improves intestinal barrier function in patients with Crohn's disease, although the mechanism by which it exerts its effects is unknown.
Safety Considerations
Taking large amounts of zinc might cause adverse effects including diarrhea, abdominal cramps and headache, and also might reduce the body's ability to absorb iron and copper. The Office of Dietary Supplement notes that the upper tolerable level of zinc in adults is 40 mg per day. Zinc supplements might interact with other drugs you are taking, including quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics, and diuretics.
References
- NHS Choices: Crohn's Disease
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Crohn's Disease
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Zinc
- "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases"; Zinc Supplementation Tightens "Leaky Gut" in Crohn's Disease; G.C. Sturniolo; May 2001
- "Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care"; Zinc and Micronutrient Combinations to Combat Gastrointestinal Inflammation; A.G. Scrimgeour and M.L. Condlin; November 2009
- "Digestive Diseases"; Therapeutic Options to Modulate Barrier Defects in Inflammatory Bowel Disease; N.A. Hering and J.D. Schulzke; November 2009
