Zinc plays a role in various liver functions, including the metabolism of alcohol and detoxification processes. It is also involved in the synthesis of proteins and enzymes required for liver function. Maintaining an adequate but not excessive level of zinc is crucial for overall liver health.

It has been demonstrated that zinc deficiency is common in patients with liver cirrhosis, Zinc deficiency occurs in many types of liver disease, especially more advanced/decompensated disease.

Zinc supplementation has been best studied in experimental models of ALD where it blocks most mechanisms of liver injury, including increased gut permeability, endotoxemia, oxidative stress, excess TNF production, and hepatocyte apoptosis. Zinc may have some limited antiviral effect in HCV therapy. Importantly, zinc therapy has shown some promising antifibrotic effects in chronic HCV.

While zinc is important for overall health and zinc deficiency can lead to liver damage and dysfunction. This can result in conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver cirrhosis, where the liver becomes scarred and less able to function properly.