Many American diets are low in zinc. Young children, pregnant women, vegetarians, and elderly people are most susceptible to zinc deficiency. In children, zinc deficiency can retard growth and stunt sexual development in boys. There are several diseases or conditions that either result in, or are a result of zinc deficiency. Supplementation has been shown to improve various conditions.
Zinc deficiency is a well-known complication of Crohn's disease.
On the other hand, zinc deficiency has been suggested to play a role in the development of diabetes. Zinc supplementation in mice has been shown to improve glucose tolerance. Zinc is also very important in treating periodontal disease. Zinc functions in the gingiva and periodontium include stabilisation of membranes, antioxidant activity, collagen synthesis, inhibition of plaque growth, and inhibition of mast cell release of histamine. Zinc has also been shown to reduce the size of the prostate and to reduce symptomatology in the majority of patients.