TABLE 5.

Recommended zinc biomarkers to assess zinc exposure, status, function, and effect¹

	Usefulness assessment
	Exposure			Status			Function			Effect
	Research	Clinical	Program	Research	Clinical	Program	Research	Clinical	Program	Research	Clinical	Program
Dietary assessment	+	0	+	+	0	+	0	0	0	0	0	+
Plasma or serum zinc concentration	+	0	+	+	0	+	+	0	+	+	0	+
Stunting	+	0	0	+	0	0	+	0	+	+	0	+

¹0, not useful for the specific purpose; +, useful to some extent and in certain population groups but either not commonly used or important disadvantages (e.g., no reference values); ++, useful in certain population groups, often used with some limitations (e.g., lack of specificity or sensitivity); +++, useful, often used in relevant population groups, with no or only minor limitations. None of the 3 recommended zinc biomarkers met the criteria for ++ or for +++.