Zinc as an essential element for normal immune reactions and as a therapeutic agent for autoimmune diseases

Zinc was identified as a crucial element for immune function, involved in over 300 enzyme processes, and its deficiency led to reduced T-cells, altered differentiation, and suppressed immune functions, increasing infection susceptibility and chronic inflammation risk. Studies demonstrated zinc's therapeutic potential in treating autoimmune diseases such as alopecia areata, vitiligo, psoriasis, and systemic sclerosis, using topical zinc creams or oral zinc sulfates. The review aimed to highlight zinc's role in health and disease.