Summary
This review gives an overview of the beneficial effects of zinc supplementation on infectious diseases like diarrhea and their prevention and treatment in young children. Studies show that zinc supplementation can reduce diarrhea incidence (11 to 23%), the duration of the illness (up to 9%), and diarrhea mortality (23%) in young children. Other studies also showed that zinc supplementation might prevent respiratory infections by about 19% and reduce pneumonia deaths by 20%. Researchers suggest initiating more programs to combat childhood zinc deficiency. More details can be found in the study.
References
Penny, M.E.