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Cited by 96Trace Elements in HealthChild Nutrition and Water AccessIron Metabolism and Disorders

Zinc intake, status and indices of cognitive function in adults and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Warthon-Medina, M, Moran, V H, Stammers, A-L, Dillon, S, Qualter, P, Nissensohn, M, Serra-Majem, L, Lowe, N M·2015·European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
DOI 10.1038/ejcn.2015.60
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Abstract

In developing countries, deficiencies of micronutrients are thought to have a major impact on child development; however, a consensus on the specific relationship between dietary zinc intake and cognitive function remains elusive. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the relationship between zinc intake, status and indices of cognitive function in children and adults. A systematic literature search was conducted using EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases from inception to March 2014. Included studies were those that supplied zinc as supplements or measured dietary zinc intake. A meta-analysis of the extracted data was performed where sufficient data were available. Of all of the potentially relevant papers, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria, 12 of which were randomised controlled trials (RCTs; 11 in children and 1 in adults) and 6 were observational studies (2 in children and 4 in adults). Nine of the 18 studies reported a positive association between zinc intake or status with one or more measure of cognitive function. Meta-analysis of data from the adult's studies was not possible because of limited number of studies. A meta-analysis of data from the six RCTs conducted in children revealed that there was no significant overall effect of zinc intake on any indices of cognitive function: intelligence, standard mean difference of <0.001 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.12, 0.13) P=0.95; executive function, standard mean difference of 0.08 (95% CI, -0.06, 022) P=0.26; and motor skills standard mean difference of 0.11 (95% CI -0.17, 0.39) P=0.43. Heterogeneity in the study designs was a major limitation, hence only a small number (n=6) of studies could be included in the meta-analyses. Meta-analysis failed to show a significant effect of zinc supplementation on cognitive functioning in children though, taken as a whole, there were some small indicators of improvement on aspects of executive function and motor development following supplementation but high-quality RCTs are necessary to investigate this further.

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Authors
Warthon-Medina, M., Moran, V. H., Stammers, A.-L., Dillon, S., Qualter, P., Nissensohn, M., Serra-Majem, L., & Lowe, N. M.
Affiliations
  • University of Lancashire (GB)
  • Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ES)
Corresponding author
Lowe, N M
ORCID
Venue
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2015-04-29
Volume
69
Issue
6
Pages
649-661
ISSN
  • 0954-3007 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5640
DOI
10.1038/ejcn.2015.60
OpenAlex
W2165959332
Cited by
96
References
80
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 3
FWCI
1.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • CLOK (University of Central Lancashire) (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • University of East Anglia
  • Wageningen University and Research
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Trace Elements in Health
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Child Nutrition and Water Access
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Iron Metabolism and Disorders
Keywords
zinc intake, zinc status, zinc supplementation, cognitive function, children, adults, executive function, motor development, intelligence, micronutrient deficiency, child development
MeSH terms
Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Child Development, Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Child, Preschool, Cognition, Cognition Disorders, Deficiency Diseases, Diet, Humans, Motor Skills, Nutritional Status, Zinc, Evidence-Based Medicine, Dietary Supplements, Neurogenesis, Executive Function, Elder Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Cognitive Dysfunction

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