Zinc deficiency promotes high blood pressure

Most people know that zinc plays an important role in wound healing and defense against pathogens. However, the trace element is also involved in many other processes in the body and is a component of over 300 enzymes and hormones. A recent study now shows that zinc is also important for the regulation of blood pressure.

Previously, the minerals potassium, calcium and sodium were associated with blood pressure. In 2019, a study showed that zinc deficiency can also lead to increased blood pressure.

Why is high blood pressure so dangerous?

High blood pressure (hypertension) is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and heart attacks. These are not only among the most common causes of death in Germany, but also often lead to an enormous reduction in quality of life and the need for care in old age. If blood pressure is permanently too high, the blood vessels are damaged and age prematurely. The problem is that high blood pressure is usually not noticeable and is therefore often only recognized late. You should therefore check your blood pressure at regular intervals. Once it has been detected, it is very easy to take countermeasures. Lifestyle changes such as a change in diet, more exercise and less stress can make a big difference here.

How does zinc affect blood pressure?

Zinc has received little attention in the management of high blood pressure. However, recently published studies suggest that the trace element plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. Zinc influences sodium reabsorption in the kidneys. Researchers found that a zinc deficiency leads to an increased reabsorption of sodium. Blood pressure is regulated by the kidneys and their sodium excretion, among other things. If the kidneys release a lot of sodium into the urine, water is removed from the body, which is also excreted. The amount of fluid in the blood vessels decreases, as does the blood pressure. If, on the other hand, a lot of sodium is recovered from the kidneys and little is excreted in the urine, this causes the blood pressure to rise. The study results show that the latter is the case with zinc deficiency.

How do I recognize a zinc deficiency? Typical symptoms that occur with an insufficient zinc supply are hair loss, skin changes, impaired wound healing and increased susceptibility to infections. However, as zinc is involved in so many processes in the body, a deficiency can also manifest itself very unspecifically. Unfortunately, the blood count also only provides limited information about the zinc supply, as the concentration of the trace element in the blood is generally quite low.

Note: If you want to be on the safe side, you should therefore supplement zinc. Our high-dose zinc tablets or our combination preparations are suitable for this.

Read more about zinc and its role in metabolism here.

Sources C. R. Williams et al. Zinc deficiency Induces Hypertension by Promoting Renal Sodium Reabsorption. American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology 2019 American Physiological Society. Zinc deficiency may play a role in high blood pressure. ScienceDaily 2019