Who Needs zinc?
Pregnant and breast-feeding women must ensure they are getting adequate supplies of zinc from their diet and/or from supplements, as a lack of this mineral could lead to foetal abnormalities and stunted growth in their babies. People with skin complaints, and particularly adolescents with acne, should consider supplementation, together with vitamins A, B2, B6 and E. Heavy drinkers, the elderly, convalescents, anyone with a diet high in processed foods and women on the pill MAY require extra zinc intake. RNI* = REFERENCE NUTRIENT INTAKE – a UK dietary reference value! It means an amount of a nutrient that is enough for almost every individual, even someone who has high needs for the nutrient. This level of intake is, therefore, considerably higher than most people need. If individuals are consuming the RNI of a nutrient, they are most unlikely to be deficient in that nutrient.
