Zinc Absorption in Alcoholics Using Zinc-65

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Abstract
Alcoholism is occasionally complicated by zinc deficiency. We have assessed the possibility that malabsorption of zinc may be a potential cause. Using a dual isotope absorption technique the absorption of 65Zn in 18 alcoholic patients was 37% (13 ± SD) and 56% (10 ± SD) in a normal control group (p < 0.001). The mean serum zinc in 55 alcoholic patients was 11.6 μmol/l (3.0 ± SD) and in 36 normal volunteers the mean serum zinc was 13.6μmol/l (1.8 ± SD; p < 0.001). This study suggests that chronic alcohol abuse will decrease the absorption of zinc and this may contribute towards the zinc deficiency occasionally associated with alcoholism.

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