Zinc is primarily found in animal products such as meat, shellfish and dairy produce. Beef, liver and liver-based products are particularly rich in zinc. A vegetarian diet contains a lot of phytate, which inhibits zinc absorption. Phytate binds zinc, which means that zinc is less easily absorbed by the body. Vegetarians have to include 50% more zinc in their diet in order to meet their zinc requirements.
Zinc is an important co-enzyme for more than 80 enzyme systems. These enzymes have a key role in DNA and protein synthesis, which is why zinc is essential for the growth and development of children. It also plays an important part in the immune system, sense of taste and brain function. Animal proteins stimulate the absorption of zinc, in that the amino acids in the proteins keep zinc in solution. This counteracts the phytate-zinc bond so that the body can absorb zinc.
The daily requirement for zinc is 10 mg for men and 9 mg for women. The average intake of the Dutch population is 9.4 milligrams a day.
Source: Dutch Meat Board - 14th September 2005