ID 295 - Cynk

PL: Cynk
EN: Zink
Pdf: zinc

Oświadczenie (4)

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the claims is zinc, which is a well recognized nutrient and is measurable in foods by established methods. Zinc occurs naturally in foods and is authorised for addition to foods (Annex I of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/20064 and Annex I of Directive 2002/46/EC5). This evaluation applies to zinc naturally present in foods and those forms authorised for addition to foods (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC).
The Panel considers that the food constituent, zinc, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.4. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu kości (ID 295, 1756)

The claimed effect is “bone formation”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that maintenance of normal bone is beneficial to human health.

3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka - 

Zinc is present in all tissues. It has essential structural, regulatory or catalytic roles in many enzymes. It maintains the configuration of a number of non-enzymatic proteins such as pre-secretory granules of insulin, some mammalian gene transcription proteins and thymulin. It facilitates hormone and receptor binding at membrane and nuclear levels, and it may maintain integrity of biomembranes. Consequently zinc participates in gene expression and in the mechanisms and control of major metabolic pathways involving proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and lipids (SCF, 1993; DoH, 1991). Human zinc deficiency symptoms include retarded growth, depressed immune function, skin lesions, skeletal abnormalities, impaired reproductive ability and behavioural abnormalities such as changes in mood, loss of affect and emotional lability, anorexia, dysfunction of smell and taste, irritability and depression (SCF, 2003; EVM, 2002, Cousins, 2006).

3.4. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu kości (ID 295, 1756)

Zinc is an essential cofactor for enzymes involved in synthesis of various bone matrix constituents and plays a particularly important role in the regulation of bone deposition and resorption. Zinc also plays a structural role in the bone matrix. Bone mineral is composed of hydroxyapatite crystals, which contain zinc complexed with fluoride. Zinc is required for osteoblastic activity, directly by activating aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase in osteoblastic cells and stimulating cellular protein synthesis. Zinc also promotes bone mineralization through its role as a cofactor of alkaline phosphatase (Lowe et al., 2002; Meunier et al., 2005).
Zinc deficiency results in impaired DNA synthesis and protein metabolism, which lead to negative effects on bone formation. In animals, zinc deficiency has been associated with abnormalities in bone growth, bone formation, and mineralization. Zinc concentration in bone is greatly reduced during zinc deficiency. Zinc intake has been reported to be associated with low bone mass in women. Furthermore, reduced serum or plasma zinc concentrations have also been reported in osteoporotic women (Ilich and Kerstetter, 2000; Lowe et al., 2002; Meunier, 2005).
A total of 54 references were cited for the substantiation of the claimed effect. Some studies show that serum zinc concentration could be reduced or that zinc excretion could be higher in bone disease (e.g. osteoporosis, osteopenia) (Herzberg et al., 1990; Holloway et al., 1996; Igarashi and Yamaguchi, 2001; Nishi, 1996; Sugiyama et al., 2000). Data from an observational study also suggest that low intake of zinc could be associated with an increased incidence of fracture (Elmstahl et al., 1998).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of zinc and maintenance of normal bone. However, the evidence provided does not establish that intake of zinc inadequate for the maintenance of normal bone occurs in the general EU population.

4.4. Utrzymanie prawidłowego stanu kości (ID 295, 1756)

The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Zinc contributes to maintenance of normal bone”.

5. Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

The Panel considers that in order to bear the claim a food should be at least a source of zinc as per Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. The target population is the general population. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) have been established for zinc as 25 mg/day in adults and to pregnant and lactating woman. For children and adolescents UL was established as 7 mg/day for 1-3 years, 10 mg/day for 4-6 years, 13 mg/day for 7-10 years, 18 mg/day for 11-14 years and 22 mg/day for 15-17 years (SCF 2003).

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Must at least be a source of mineral/s as per annex to regulation 1924/2006