Fig. 1.

Experimental design and serum zinc response induced by short-term acute dietary zinc depletion in humans. (A) Dietary protocol for acute dietary zinc depletion. Controlled zinc intake of 10.4 mg/d was provided during acclimation (Day 0–7) and 0.3 mg/d was provided for the depletion (Day 7–17). A self-selected diet plus a supplement of 15 mg/day was provided for repletion (Day 18–24). (B) Serum zinc concentrations during the effectiveness of the experimental diet for dietary zinc depletion. Values are mean ± standard deviation (SD) (n = 9). Those significantly different compared to baseline (Day 7) and postdepletion levels (Day 17) are noted by asterisks and crosses, respectively (n = 9). For * and †, P < 0.05 and *** and †††, P < 0.001.