Zinc is an essential mineral for the body. It acts as a critical co-factor in various enzyme systems and is required for active wound healing. Zinc deficiency occurs due to its lack during dietary absorption or loss even after absorption. Dietary deficiency may be due to its absence or because it is bound to the fiber and not available for absorption. Zinc excess is not of major clinical concern. Most of the excess zinc passes through the gastrointestinal tract and is excreted. The only known effect of excessive zinc ingestion is that it interferes with copper absorption and may lead to hypocupremia. This may be useful for identifying the cause of abnormal serum zinc.