Editorial: Zinc in health and disease management

Abstract

Zinc is an essential trace element with various functions in all living organisms. Its bioavailability is tightly controlled by a combination of nutritional availability, binding to proteins, location in cellular organelles, and the presence of zinc transporters. In humans, changes in zinc homeostasis, such as zinc deficiency, have varied impacts on individuals. Zinc affects growth, fertility, immune cell functioning, and disease progression. Zinc homeostasis is compromised in aging, whereby abnormal metabolism contributes to sub-clinical changes and cellular dysfunction that may underlie the early onset of (neuro-)degenerative diseases. Therefore, a better understanding of the normal function of this trace element in health and diseases is highly desired.