- Childhood asthma affects 4.6 million U.S. kids, and research now shows zinc deficiency drives more inflammation, worse lung function, and greater breathing problems
- Zinc strengthens airway barriers, trains immune cells, reduces allergic inflammation, and helps repair tissues, making it central to protecting children against worsening asthma symptoms
- A review in Nutrients found zinc deficiency in children consistently linked to more severe asthma and allergic rhinitis, with greater benefits when levels were restored
- A large U.S. analysis showed overweight children eating more zinc-rich foods had up to 29% lower odds of asthma and fewer attacks compared to peers
- Zinc works best when sourced from whole foods like beef, lamb, oysters, and eggs, with supplements serving only as a backup when your diet falls short
