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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Isolation and Analysis of Plasma Lipoproteins by Ultracentrifugation
Published on: January 28, 2021
Effects of zinc on plasma lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in humans: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled
Meika Foster1, Peter Petocz, Samir Samman
1Discipline of Nutrition and Metabolism, School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences, University of Sydney NSW 2006, Australia.
Background:
Studies in humans and animals suggest that zinc has the potential to affect lipoprotein metabolism and hence impact cardiovascular disease risk.
Methods:
A meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials was conducted to determine the effect of zinc supplementation on plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in humans. Potentially relevant studies were identified from a literature search covering the period 1980-2008 (inclusive), and additional citation searches.
Results:
Thirty three interventions (n=14,238 subjects) were included in the random effects meta-analysis. No overall significant effects of zinc supplementation were observed for plasma cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol or plasma triglyceride concentrations. Plasma zinc concentrations increased significantly (+2.42+/-0.25 micromol/L, P<0.001; n=14,047). Secondary analyses in individuals classified as healthy revealed that zinc supplementation is associated with a significant decrease in plasma HDL cholesterol concentrations (-0.10+/-0.02 mmol/L, P<0.001; n=13,215), equivalent to a 7% decrease from baseline.
Conclusion:
No effect of zinc supplementation on plasma lipoproteins was detected in the overall analysis. In individuals classified as healthy, zinc supplementation is associated with a decrease in HDL cholesterol concentrations and thus contributes to an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
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