ID 304 - Cynk

PL: Cynk
EN: Zink
Pdf: zinc

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is zinc, which is a well recognised 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 1925/20066 and Annex I of Directive 2002/46/EC7). 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.

2.6. Zmniejszenie zmęczenia (ID 304)

The claimed effect is “vitamin/mineral supplementation to reduce fatigue and tiredness in situations of inadequate micronutrient status”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that the reduction of tiredness and fatigue is a beneficial physiological effect.

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. Zmniejszenie zmęczenia (ID 304)

Eleven references were provided for the scientific substantiation of this claim, including three nutrition textbooks, a homeopathic pharmacopeia and two consensus opinions on dietary reference intakes for several vitamins and minerals including zinc. Three general review papers were on several vitamins and minerals including zinc metabolism and status in relation to physical performance. One study was on the effect of daily physical training on zinc metabolism in sportsmen (Cordova and Navas, 1998). An intervention study on the effects of acute zinc supplementation on a number of biochemical variables in male runners did not include tiredness as an outcome (Anderson et al., 1984). The Panel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from these references for the scientific substantiation of the claimed effect. Tiredness and fatigue were not among the symptoms observed in cases of zinc deficiency reported and referred to in these references.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the dietary intake of zinc and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

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 (ULs) have been established for zinc in children, adolescents, adults, pregnant and lactating woman (SCF, 2003).

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Must meet minimum requirements for use of the claim "source of [name of vitamin/s] and/or [name of mineral/s]," as per Annex to Regulation 1924/2006. Agency guidance for supplements is that products containing >25 mg of zinc should carry the label advisory statement "long term intake of this amount of zinc may lead to anaemia"