Blackmores Institute

Reporting in the journal, Diabetology and Metabolic Syndrome, the randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial examined 40 obese subjects who were assigned to receive zinc supplements (30mg/day) or placebo for a period of 15 weeks. Both groups were under a restricted calorie diet (~ 300 kcal lower than the estimated energy requirement). Researchers found reductions in body weight, body mass index, waist circumference and hip circumference were significantly higher in the zinc (Zn) group.“Serum zinc concentration increased significantly in the Zn group at the end of week 15 compared with baseline (P = 0.0001), whereas no significant change was observed in the placebo group and reductions of anthropometric parameters were significantly higher in the Zn group than in the placebo group,” the authors stated.“In our study, although the difference in energy intake between the two groups was not statistically significant, the reduction of energy intake was higher in the Zn group than in the placebo group. Based on previous studies, it seems that improvement in Zn status could have beneficial effects on food intake regulation.”According to the study, the improvement of Zn status has a favourable effect on leptin regulation for inhibiting eating behaviours by reducing the neuropeptide YmRNA (NPY) level.“Zn deficiency and obesity can lead to leptin resistance which may increase NPY levels in the hypothalamus of rodents and men. In our study, the baseline Zn level was below the normal range (70–120 μg/dL) in the Zn group; however, Zn levels returned to a normal status after the supplementation.“In agreement with previous studies, serum NPY decreased in the Zn group and this reduction was significant in comparison with the placebo group. In addition, appetite score decreased significantly in the Zn group at the end of week 15 in comparison with baseline, and this reduction was significant in comparison with the placebo group,” the researchers explained.With restricted calorie diets playing a fundamental role in prevention and treatment of obesity, deficiencies in micronutrients are common, including zinc.“Previous studies have also demonstrated that plasma Zn level and dietary intake of Zn are insufficient in obese individuals. So, it seems that further weight gain or development of obesity-related disorders may occur if the Zn deficiency is not corrected,” the authors said.The study asserts that possible mechanisms for the effects of Zn supplementation on weight loss are through appetite regulation and improving insulin resistance – a premise supported by previous studies and the results of the current study.“This study, designed to evaluate the effects of daily intake of 30 mg Zn supplement along with a restricted calorie diet on anthropometric measurements, appetite, insulin resistance, and serum levels of inflammatory markers, apelin, and neuropeptide Y (NPY), in obese individuals, found that Zn supplementation may play and effective role in the treatment of obesity,” the authors concluded.Source: 
 Diabetol Metabolism Syndr (2019) DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-019-0497-8">10.1186/s13098-019-0497-8</a>

An American study has found that zinc supplementation has beneficial effects in reducing key biomarkers in individuals with obesity.

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