Zinc's role in wound healing includes which of the following?

• A. Zinc is essential for granulation tissue formation and re-epithelialization
• B. Zinc does not influence wound healing
• C. Zinc is only important for taste
• D. Zinc supplementation worsens wounds

Answer: (A)

Zinc plays a central role in wound healing by supporting the cellular activities needed to rebuild tissue. It is a key cofactor for enzymes and transcription factors involved in DNA and protein synthesis, collagen formation, and epithelial cell proliferation, all essential for granulation tissue formation and re-epithelialization. Adequate zinc also helps immune function and proper cell migration to the wound site. When zinc is deficient, these processes slow down, leading to delayed wound closure. In contrast, saying zinc doesn’t influence healing or that it’s only important for taste ignores the broad, well-established role of zinc in tissue repair, and while excessive zinc can cause other issues, it doesn’t inherently worsen wounds in the typical clinical context.