Zinc deficiency contributes to the degradation of intestinal lining integriity

Zinc may contribute to the host defense by maintaining the intestinal membrane barrier. This questioned whether zinc deficiency affects the membrane function and junctional structure of intestinal epithelial cells, causing increased neutrophil migration. Disruption of membrane barrier integrity led to increased migration of neutrophils. In addition, zinc deficiency induced an increase in the secretion of interleukin-8, epithelial neutrophil activating peptide-78, and growth-regulated oncogene-, alterations that were not found when culture medium was replete with zinc. These results provide new information on the critical role played by dietary zinc in the maintenance of membrane barrier integrity and in controlling inflammatory cell infiltration. Journal Nutrition, September 2008

Bonnie - zinc has always been one of my stalwarts for many reasons, including digestive. Zinlori, a product I recommend all the time for intestinal integrity, is made of a zinc arginate that can be pulled through intestinal receptor sites even in the most compromised of gi tracts.