Can Zinc Supplements Help Increase Height?

Many of us believe that only calcium and vitamin D play a role in bone structure and height increase in children, overlooking the importance of other minerals and vitamins, including zinc. This article delves into the role of zinc supplements for height growth in detail.

Can Zinc Supplements Help Increase Height?

Yes, Zinc supplements can play a beneficial role in promoting height. Research indicates that zinc deficiency in children increases the risk of bone growth disorders, delayed puberty, and anorexia due to taste disturbances, which can lead to malnutrition over time, affecting overall growth and development.

Numerous studies on children have demonstrated the benefits of zinc supplements for height growth, including:

• In a study of children under the age of five, a daily dose of 10 mg of zinc for 24 weeks resulted in an increase in height of 0.37 cm compared to those in the placebo group.
• Another study on school-aged children showed that those who took zinc bisglycinate (15 mg of zinc) for six months experienced greater height growth than those in the control group.

How Does Zinc Affect Height?

The benefits of zinc supplements for height growth stem from its role in several essential biological processes:

1. Bone Structure Enhancement

Zinc is vital for bone structure. Chronic zinc deficiency can lead to stunted growth and improper development due to:

• Interacts with key hormones involved in bone growth, aiding in children’s height increase.
• Enhances the effect of vitamin D on bone metabolism by stimulating DNA synthesis in bone cells.
• inhibits bone resorption (the process of breaking down bone tissue) by activating certain enzymes in osteoblasts, which are bone-forming cells.

2. Cell Division Support

Zinc plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation, and metabolism. A deficiency in zinc can impede cell division, which hinders overall growth, height, and negatively affects health.

3. Appetite Stimulation

Zinc deficiency often leads to appetite loss. Zinc supplements help boost appetite, encouraging children to consume more food and improve nutrient absorption, both of which support growth and height.

4. Interaction with Growth Hormones

Zinc is involved in DNA replication and protein synthesis, interacting with growth hormones by promoting cell division and enhancing growth. Without adequate zinc, cells do not divide normally, which can severely impact a child’s growth, causing malnutrition and stunted development.

Additionally, zinc plays a role in the biosynthesis and regulation of the function of the hypothalamic hormone axis such as growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), both of which are critical for children’s growth.

5. Immune System Boost

Zinc is known for its role in strengthening the immune system. A lack of zinc increases the risk of infections, which can affect a child’s natural growth and height gain.

Recommended Zinc Dosage

Zinc is safe as long as the recommended amounts are adhered to. The appropriate amount depends on a child’s age, as shown below:

• Birth to 6 months: 2 mg daily.
• 6 months to 3 years: 3 mg daily.
• 4 to 8 years: 5 mg daily.
• 9 to 13 years: 8 mg daily.
• 14 to 18 years: 11 mg daily for males, 9 mg daily for females.

Zinc is usually obtained from dietary sources. However, if a deficiency is suspected, a doctor may order a blood test to measure zinc levels and recommend zinc supplements available at pharmacies.

Blazma provides all the tests a doctor may need to diagnose zinc deficiency, including a Zinc test that requires no special preparation.