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Zinc & Adolescent Bone Health

Zinc is essential to successful bone development and bone strength in adolescents. Strong bones cannot develop in its absence. According to the New Zealand Ministry of Health, "Zinc is integral in the synthesis of protein and essential for normal growth and development."

  1. Benefits of Zinc

    • Zinc is taken from food

      The role of zinc in adolescent bone growth is critical. Zinc helps develop collagenous tissue, connective tissue and mineralization of bone according to "Zinc Status and Bone Mineralization in Adolescent Girls," published by Dr. Dominique L. Bougle and colleagues in the September 14, 2004 issue of the "Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology."

    Result of Zinc Deficiency

    • Zinc deficiency causes weak bones

      If zinc is not present in sufficient amounts bones cannot develop correctly during growth, Dr. Bougle wrote in the "Journal of Trace elements in Medicine and Biology" cited above..

    Causes of Zinc Deficiency

    • Zinc deficiency in adolescents happens because they are outgrowing the supplies of zinc in the body. The adolescent diet must be rich in zinc. Many adolescents do not eat proper amounts of foods containing zinc such as protein, beans, whole grains and dairy.

    Calcium in Zinc Uptake

    • Dairy products contain high levels of calcium

      Zinc intake was thought to be decreased by the consumption of high levels of calcium. According to a 1997 study in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" on zinc balance headed by A.A.McKenna, an intake of up to 1500 mg of calcium per day does not decrease the uptake of zinc in the body. McKenna and his colleagues concluded that calcium does not block the uptake of zinc in young people as it was once thought.

    Bone Development in Youth is Critical

    • Adolescence is a time of bone growth

      According to Medicine Net, a young person can insure good bone health later in life. Peak bone mass is established during and right after adolescence. Zinc intake should be 14 mg a day for boys and nine mg a day for girls, according to the The New Zealand Ministry of Health's 1998 publication, "Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Adolescents." These amounts will insure optimal bone growth.

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