Zinc is an essential trace element. Subnormal levels are associated with alcoholic cirrhosis, cystic fibrosis, myocardial infarction, acute and chronic infections. High levels may be due to industrial exposure.

Zirconium is a trace element that appears on the NutriStat Basic Profile by US BioTek, typically measured to assess environmental exposure and potential health impacts. Zirconium is not known to play any essential biological role in the human body, and its presence is generally attributed to external sources rather than dietary intake.

Zirconium is one of the elements measured in hair element testing offered by Doctor's Data.

This test is designed to assess the levels of various elements, including both toxic and essential ones, in a person's hair.

Zirconium testing can be valuable for several purposes, such as evaluating toxic element exposure, assessing the effects of excessive fish consumption, and investigating conditions like alopecia, depression, fatigue, malabsorption, hypertension, and impaired health.

The ideal ratio between zinc and copper is 8:1 with an acceptable range from 4 to 12.

The minerals zinc and copper are influenced by several physiological factors, as well as hormonal factors, including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Zinc is necessary for the production of progesterone and testosterone, while copper is influenced by estrogen.

Zinc and copper are also related to the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Their balance would reflect the activity of zinc and copper activated SOD. This ratio is affected by physiological conditions such as pregnancy, growth and development. Virus and bacterial infections can also influence the Zn/Cu ratio.

The Zn/Cu ratio (zinc to copper ratio) on a hair test panel is an important indicator of the body’s mineral balance. Zinc and copper are essential trace minerals that work together to support various biological processes, including immune function, energy production, and brain health. However, maintaining the right balance between these two is key to optimal health.

Zinc Transporter 8 Autoantibodies

- ZnT8 antibody distinguishes type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

- ZnT8 antibody identifies relatives of diabetic patients at most risk for developing diabetes.

- ZnT8 antibody predicts the future need for insulin treatment in adult-onset diabetic patients.

- ZnT8 antibody predicts the future development of diabetes mellitus in women with gestational diabetes.

Detects zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies (ZnT8), an autoimmune diabetes marker that is instrumental in the diagnosis of new-onset type 1 diabetes

What is Zonisamide?

Zonisamide is an anticonvulsant medication primarily used to treat epilepsy and sometimes prescribed off-label for migraine prevention, neuropathic pain, and weight management. It works by stabilizing neuronal activity through sodium and calcium channel modulation, as well as by influencing GABAergic and dopaminergic systems.

Zonulin is a protein that opens intercellular tight junctions in the gut lining (the connections between epithelial cells that make up the gastrointestinal lining). Zonulin increases intestinal permeability in the jejunum and ileum and is considered a biomarker for barrier permeability.

Zonulin, a protein that regulates the permeability of the intestinal lining, plays a key role in maintaining the gut barrier. It breaks down tight junctions between the cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which are essential for protecting the body from external threats. When these tight junctions are compromised, it results in increased intestinal permeability, often referred to as "leaky gut." This weakened barrier makes the body more susceptible to food antigens, toxins, and harmful microbes, leading to elevated inflammation.

High plasma zonulin levels have been associated with a variety of health conditions, including celiac disease, autoimmune disorders, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have shown that patients with active celiac disease have higher zonulin levels compared to those without the condition. Additionally, elevated zonulin levels may appear 2 to 5 years before the onset of autoimmune diseases, diabetes, or allergies, suggesting zonulin could serve as an early marker for these disease processes.

Zonulin is a protein that opens intercellular tight junctions in the gut lining (the connections between epithelial cells that make up the gastrointestinal lining). Zonulin increases intestinal permeability in the jejunum and ileum and is considered a biomarker for barrier permeability.

Zonulin is a protein that plays a key role in regulating the permeability of the tight junctions between cells in the lining of the small intestine. These tight junctions are like gates that control what substances can pass from the gut into the bloodstream.

When zonulin levels are balanced, the intestinal barrier remains tight and selective. However, when zonulin levels increase, the intestinal barrier becomes more "leaky," allowing larger molecules like undigested food particles, toxins, and microbes to cross into the bloodstream. This condition is commonly referred to as increased intestinal permeability, or more informally, leaky gut.

Measuring zonulin in stool offers a non-invasive way to assess the integrity of the gut barrier, particularly in the small intestine.