walnuts, black, dried (1.0 mg)
almonds, dry roasted, no salt (1.0 mg)
milk (1.8 mg per cup)
cheese, Swiss (1.1 mg)
cheese, Cheddar (0.9 mg)
cheese, Mozzarella, part skim (0.9 mg)beans, kidney, California red (1.6 mg per cup)
peas, green, frozen (1.6 mg per cup)
oatmeal, instant, low salt (0.8 mg per packet)
flounder, sole (0.2 mg)
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
for zinc is:KEY TERMS
Acrodermatitis enteropathica—A genetic disorder
resulting from the impaired uptake and transport of
zinc in the body.
Albumin—Water-soluble proteins that can be coa-
gulated by heat and are found in egg white, blood
serum, milk.
Amino acid—Organic (carbon-containing) mole-
cules that serve as the building blocks of proteins.
Antibody—A protein produced by the body’s
immune system that recognizes and helps fight infec-
tions and other foreign substances in the body.
Antioxidant enzyme—An enzyme that can counter-
act the damaging effects of oxygen in tissues.
Ceruloplasmin—A blue copper containing dehydro-
genase protein found in serum that is apparently
involved in copper detoxification and storage.
Chelating agent—An organic compound in which
atoms form more than one bond with metals in
solution.
Cofactor—A compound that is essential for the
activity of an enzyme.
DNA—The material inside the nucleus of cells that
carries genetic information. The scientific name for
DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid.
Enzyme—Enzymes are proteins and vitally impor-
tant to the regulation of the chemistry of cells and
organisms.
Gene expression—The process by which the coded
information of a gene is translated into the proteins
or RNA present and operating in the cell.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)—HDL is called the
‘‘good cholesterol’’ because it helps remove fat from
the body by binding with it in the bloodstream and
carrying it back to the liver for excretion in the bile
and disposal.
L-cysteine—A sulfur–containing amino acid pro-
duced by enzymatic or acid hydrolysis of proteins.
Supplements are used as antioxidant.L-histidine—An essential amino acid, C6H9N3O2,
important for the growth and repair of tissues.
Lipoproteins—Proteins present in blood plasma. The
five major families are: chylomicrons, very low-den-
sity lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate-density lipo-
proteins (IDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and
high-density lipoproteins (HDL).
Metalloenzyme—An enzyme that contains a tightly
bound metal ion, such as cobalt, copper, iron or
zinc.
Oxidative stress—Accumulation in the body of
destructive molecules such as free radicals that can
lead to cell death.
Plasma—The liquid part of the blood and lymphatic
fluid. Plasma is 92% water, 7% protein and 1%
minerals.
RNA—A chemical similar to DNA from which pro-
teins are made. Unlike DNA, RNA can leave the
nucleus of the cell.
Short bowel syndrome—Problems related to absorb-
ing nutrients after removal of part of the small
intestine.
Sickle cell anemia—Genetic disorder in which red
blood cells take on an unusual shape, leading to
other problems with the blood.
Synaptic vesicles—Also called neurotransmitter
vesicles, these pouches store the various neurotrans-
mitters that are released by nerve cells into the syn-
aptic cleft of a synapse.
Trace minerals—Minerals needed by the body in
small amounts. They include: selenium, iron, zinc,
copper,manganese,molybdenum,chromium,arsenic,
germanium, lithium, rubidium, tin.
Transferrin—A protein synthesized in the liver that
transports iron in the blood to red blood cells.
Ulcerative colitis—Inflammation of the inner lining
of the colon, characterized by open sores that appear
in its mucous membrane.Zinc