The relation between melatonin and zinc uptake

Although melatonin is primarily known as a sleep hormone it has vital importance for the digestive system and the uptake of zinc. Low zinc status increases the risk of infections, skin problems, hair loss, impaired fertility, and various signs of ageing. However, studies show that melatonin supplements are able to increase the body's zinc uptake - while offering improved sleep as a bonus effect.

Melatonin gets produced in the pineal gland of our brain. It is a hormone that regulates our sleep pattern and general metabolic processes in our metabolism, hormonal system, immune system, and digestive system. Melatonin is important for our uptake of nutrients from the diet. We have large concentrations of melatonin in our digestive tract where the hormone has a calming effect that gives the body peace and quiet to digest our food and absorb important nutrients such as the mineral zinc.
The pineal gland calcifies with age, causing its melatonin secretion to decrease. Not only does this impair the quality of our sleep, it may also affect other melatonin-dependent processes, including our digestion and our uptake of zinc.

Many people are unable to utilize zinc, even if they eat a healthy diet

We need zinc for around 300 different enzymatic processes that control our growth, reproduction, metabolism, nervous system, immune system, and numerous other functions. Zinc is also an important antioxidant that protects our cells against free radicals caused by oxidative stress.
With age, our ability to absorb nutrients from the diet decreases. Many elderly people are unable to absorb zinc, even if they get plenty of the nutrient from their diet. A low and decreasing zinc level in the blood may cause many physical and mental signs of ageing plus impaired virility and an enlargement of the prostate gland. Many factors can increase the risk of a zinc deficiency.

Zinc deficiencies are widespread

Zinc from animal sources have the best absorption, but there is also quite a lot of zinc in nuts, seeds, and kernels. An estimated 25% of the world's population is believed to be zinc-deficient. Common symptoms include lethargy, impaired fertility, impaired sense of taste, poor wound healing, and sensitive skin with blemishes, dryness, or eczema. Severe zinc deficiency may cause infections, weight loss, hair loss, diarrhea, and mental disturbances.
Some of the main causes of zinc deficiencies are unhealthy diets, a large intake of calcium and iron, alcoholism, celiac disease, diarrhea, poorly managed diabetes, birth control pills, diuretics, and long-term use of antibiotics.

Melatonin supplements may restore zinc levels

Studies conducted with mice show that melatonin supplements are able to restore normal zinc levels in the blood. This, in turn, rejuvenates the animals because zinc deficiencies, as mentioned earlier, cause several signs of ageing. A good and inexpensive way to analyze your zinc status is to measure zinc levels in the blood. If a zinc deficiency is detected, it may be worth considering a supplement of organic zinc. Still, what is most important is to ensure that the body's zinc absorption works properly.

Zinc supplements

In the case of a slight zinc deficiency it is recommended to take 15-30 mg of zinc daily. Moderate to severe zinc deficiencies require higher intake levels of up to 45 mg three times daily (but not for longer than four consecutive months). As mentioned earlier, it is also important to keep the body properly supplied with melatonin to improve the body's zinc uptake.

References:

Pierpaoli Walter, Regelson William. The Melatonin Miracle. Simon and Schuster

http://www.netdoktor.dk/vitaminer/zink.htm