Mineral - Zinc

Zinc is an essential trace element for all forms of life.  Deficiencies in humans was first described in 1961, when the consumption of diets with low zinc bioavailability was associated with adolescent nutritional dwarfism in the Middle East.  Since then insufficiency has been recognized as an important public health issue. Zinc plays an important role in growth and development, the immune response, neurological function and reproduction.  Zinc is also a co factor in over 70 critical enzyme pathways.  Zinc is part of alcohol dehydrogenase, which helps the liver detoxify alcohols, ethanol, methanol, ethylene glycol and retinol (vitamin A) also aids in maintaining healthy skin cells, collagen formation, wound healing and helps with acne problems. Is needed for energy production as it aids in lactate and malate dehydrogenases, aids in contributing phosphates to the bones and tooth structure.  Zinc is also important to male sex organ function and reproductive fluids. Protein digestion and is important for the synthesis of nucleic acids, both RNA and DNA. Helps protect cells from free radicals and through this antioxidant effect zinc is also helpful in cell membrane structure and function.

Zinc has also show support to immune function by improving anti body response to vaccines and can improve cell mediated immunity by helping regulate the function of white blood cells.  Important to normal insulin activity and is related to normal taste, and is used commonly before and after surgery for wound healing.  In some studies hospital stays were cut in half.

Men with zinc deficiencies may experience problems with fertility and some studies suggest that zinc plays an important role in the production of hormones especially testosterone.  Women with irregular periods may also find zinc useful.

Zinc deficiency can cause a multitude of problems including, impaired sense of taste and smell, slow wound healing, white spots under finger nails, night blindness, low sperm count, hair loss, behavior or sleep problems, mental lethargy, impaired immune function, cyclic feeding and loss of appetite and dermatitis.

Zinc toxicity or overdose can interfere with copper absorption leveling the body deficient in copper.  Signs of acute zinc toxicity include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.  Inhalation of zinc oxide fumes can cause profuse sweating, weakness and rapid breathing which can last 12 -24 hours.

Best food sources include red meat, poultry, fish and seafood, while grains, nuts, eggs, seeds and brewer s yeast.

RDA for zinc is 8 to 11 mg/d but most recommended dosages are 15 to 40 mg/d depending on need for use, with 40 mg/d being the upper established limit of consumption.

Minerals are inorganic substances that the body needs in very small quantities. There are twenty two metallic elements in the body which make up about 4 percent of total body weight.

Minerals are found abundantly in the soil and water of the planet and eventually are taken in by the root systems of plants. Human beings obtain minerals by eating the plants or by eating the animals that eat the plants. If you eat a variety of meats and vegetables in your diet, you can usually depend on getting a sufficiency of minerals.

The minerals in the body play a part in variety of metabolic processes and contribute to the synthesis of such elements as glycogen, protein, and fats.

For the best sources of minerals please consult the USDA website.

DISCLAIMER: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for
educational and informational purposes only.  The content is not intended to be a
substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always seek
the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions
you may have regarding a medical condition.  Never disregard professional medical
advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.

Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be
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