Zinc Deficiency
Zinc deficiency has been linked to phytates, oxalates and fiber in grains and other plant foods, and to fructose malabsorption.
I used to eat a lot of whole grain foods and developed zinc deficiency. I eventually learned that I am gluten intolerant and that zinc deficiency is common among people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance who consume gluten-containing foods for years (Celiac Disease and Zinc Deficiency, 2010, http://www.celiac.com/articles/22095/1/-Celiac-Disease-and-Zinc-Deficiency/Page1.html).
Zinc deficiency is one of the most common but least-known risks of vegetarianism, according to the late physician, biochemist and Chair of the Pharmacology Department at Emory University, Carl C. Pfeiffer, (1975. Mental and elemental nutrients. New Canaan, Conn). The phytates, oxalates and fiber in plant foods can all bind with or otherwise deplete zinc, whereas red meats and some shellfish are rich in highly bioavailable zinc. Fructose malabsorption is also correlated with zinc deficiency. See also:
Bodzy, Pamela W , Jeanne N Freeland, Margaret A. Eppright, and Ann Tyree. 1977. Zinc status in the vegetarian. Federation Proceedings 36: 1139.
Deans, E., M.D., Could Soda and Sugar Be Causing Your Depression? http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201105/could-soda-and-sugar-be-causing-your-depression: "[F]ructose malabsorbers have ... lower serum zinc and folic acid.... 1/3 of the Western European population has fructose malabsorption."
Freeland, Jeanne H , M Lavone Ebangit, and Pamela Johnson, 1978, Changes in zinc absorption following a vegetarian diet. Federation Proceedings 37: 253.
Lönnerdal, Bo, Dietary Factors Influencing Zinc Absorption, 2000, The American Society for Nutritional Sciences, http://jn.nutrition.org/content/130/5/1378S.full
Oberleas, D., The Role of Phytate in Zinc Bioavailability and Homeostasis, 1983, University of Kentucky, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bk-1983-0210.ch010
Insel, Paul, Don Ross, and Kimberley McMahon, Nutrition, 2010, p. 176.
Pfeiffer, Carl C. 1975. Mental and elemental nutrients. New Canaan, Conn.
Prasad, Amanda, ed. 1982. Clinical, biochemical, and nutritional aspects of trace elements. New York.
1966. Zinc metabolism. Springfield, IL.
Reinhold, J. G., B. Faradji, P. Abadi, and F. Ismail-Beigi. 1976. Decreased absorption of calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus by humans due to increased fiber and phosphorus consumption as wheat bread. Journal of Nutrition 106: 493-503.
Wise, A., Phytate and zinc bioavailability, Int J Food Sci Nutr. 1995 Feb;46(1):53-63. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7712343, http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09637489509003386
I used to eat a lot of whole grain foods and developed zinc deficiency. I eventually learned that I am gluten intolerant and that zinc deficiency is common among people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance who consume gluten-containing foods for years (Celiac Disease and Zinc Deficiency, 2010, http://www.celiac.com/articles/22095/1/-Celiac-Disease-and-Zinc-Deficiency/Page1.html).
Zinc deficiency is one of the most common but least-known risks of vegetarianism, according to the late physician, biochemist and Chair of the Pharmacology Department at Emory University, Carl C. Pfeiffer, (1975. Mental and elemental nutrients. New Canaan, Conn). The phytates, oxalates and fiber in plant foods can all bind with or otherwise deplete zinc, whereas red meats and some shellfish are rich in highly bioavailable zinc. Fructose malabsorption is also correlated with zinc deficiency. See also:
Bodzy, Pamela W , Jeanne N Freeland, Margaret A. Eppright, and Ann Tyree. 1977. Zinc status in the vegetarian. Federation Proceedings 36: 1139.
Deans, E., M.D., Could Soda and Sugar Be Causing Your Depression? http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201105/could-soda-and-sugar-be-causing-your-depression: "[F]ructose malabsorbers have ... lower serum zinc and folic acid.... 1/3 of the Western European population has fructose malabsorption."
Freeland, Jeanne H , M Lavone Ebangit, and Pamela Johnson, 1978, Changes in zinc absorption following a vegetarian diet. Federation Proceedings 37: 253.
Lönnerdal, Bo, Dietary Factors Influencing Zinc Absorption, 2000, The American Society for Nutritional Sciences, http://jn.nutrition.org/content/130/5/1378S.full
Oberleas, D., The Role of Phytate in Zinc Bioavailability and Homeostasis, 1983, University of Kentucky, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/bk-1983-0210.ch010
Insel, Paul, Don Ross, and Kimberley McMahon, Nutrition, 2010, p. 176.
Pfeiffer, Carl C. 1975. Mental and elemental nutrients. New Canaan, Conn.
Prasad, Amanda, ed. 1982. Clinical, biochemical, and nutritional aspects of trace elements. New York.
1966. Zinc metabolism. Springfield, IL.
Reinhold, J. G., B. Faradji, P. Abadi, and F. Ismail-Beigi. 1976. Decreased absorption of calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus by humans due to increased fiber and phosphorus consumption as wheat bread. Journal of Nutrition 106: 493-503.
Wise, A., Phytate and zinc bioavailability, Int J Food Sci Nutr. 1995 Feb;46(1):53-63. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7712343, http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09637489509003386