Zinc: A Complementary Factor in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C?

The review discusses the potential benefits of zinc supplementation as a complementary therapy for chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection, which affects over 170 million people globally and often leads to liver failure and transplantation. Current treatments lead to viral clearance in only 50-55% of genotype 1 cases and up to 80% for genotype 3, and are associated with significant side effects and costs. Zinc, an essential nutrient, is crucial for liver function, immune system health, and acts as an antioxidant. Studies have shown that zinc supplementation in chronic HCV patients can reduce gastrointestinal disturbances, body weight loss, and hair loss, improve fingernail health, and enhance the effectiveness of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) treatment. Given zinc's role in immune function and viral defense, its controlled application is recommended as an adjunct therapy for HCV, especially in cases of zinc deficiency.