Exhaustion, fatigue and lack of energy are part of everyday life for far too many people, and some groups may be more vulnerable than others. We spoke with our biomedical expert Erik about a new study that looked at how supplementation with 30 mg of zinc per day for 10 weeks affected symptoms related to fatigue and exhaustion in a group of older adults over the age of 60.
- Okay, so why is this study important?
Fatigue in older adults affects physical and mental health more than we think, but despite this, it is a condition that is all too often overlooked and left untreated, even though it is so widespread. Small, simple measures that can be taken in everyday life could be valuable for many people. Fatigue, and as a consequence, declining physical activity, can lead to reduced muscle mass and strength, impaired function of motor neurons, low steroid hormone levels and, last but not least, malnutrition or inadequate nutrient intake. In short, a reduced quality of life.
Today we know that zinc deficiency, or low levels of zinc, is linked to fatigue and exhaustion. There are also a large number of approved health claims in this area. There were already a couple of previous studies showing an association between zinc deficiency and fatigue in different groups. But what makes this study so interesting is that it is the first study to investigate this specifically in older people.
The results were quite clear. 80% of the participants who received zinc supplements had a blood level within the reference range after this 10-week period. That figure was only 37% before the study. And the clinical study questionnaire used to measure different dimensions of fatigue showed that fatigue had decreased by an average of 19% in the group that received zinc supplements.
- So what can we take away from this study?
I think there are at least three important points to highlight here. The majority of the participants actually had a low zinc level when the pre-tests were carried out. This indicates that zinc deficiency was significant in this group. At the same time, the study showed that a zinc supplement at a sufficiently high dose can normalize blood levels in just 10 weeks in at least two-thirds of this group. Finally, the study showed a correlation between higher zinc levels in the blood and less fatigue in the tests. I believe that when it comes to addressing something as complex as different types of fatigue, many small factors contribute. Here, we should be pleased with the small benefits we can gain from several different sources at the same time. A supplement in this case is a relatively simple measure that requires neither time nor energy from us.
If we want to achieve the same effect as observed in a study, it is important to be as consistent as the participants. Here, it is about making it a daily routine. I know how important that part is, which is why our service today also revolves around simplicity. We work with daily sachets just like pharmacies do, so being able to combine several supplements into convenient daily portions is something that will make a difference over time.
- What else is worth knowing specifically about zinc?
Zinc is an essential nutrient involved in a wide range of functions in the body. Among other things, it contributes to the normal function of the immune system, DNA synthesis and protein synthesis. It also contributes to the maintenance of normal bones, hair, skin, nails and vision. In addition, it plays an important role in, for example, the process of cell division and the metabolism of nutrients in the diet, among other things. So perhaps it is not so surprising that zinc also affects fatigue.
