The health benefits of Zinc include proper functioning of
the immune and digestive systems, control of diabetes, reduction of stress
levels, energy metabolism, and an increased rate of healing for acne and
wounds. Also, zinc is helpful in terms of pregnancy, hair care, eczema, weight
loss, night blindness, colds, eye care, appetite loss and many other minor
conditions.
Zinc, being an important mineral, plays a vital role in
protein synthesis and helps regulate the cell production in the immune system
of the human body. Zinc is mostly found in the strongest muscles of the body
and is found in especially high concentrations in the white and red blood
cells, eye retina, skin, liver, kidneys, bones and pancreas. The semen and
prostate gland in men also contain significant amounts of zinc.
In the human body, there are more than 300 different enzymes
that require zinc to function normally. Researchers believe that 3,000 proteins
out of the approximately 100,000 in the body consist predominantly of zinc.
Zinc Deficiency Symptoms:
- Growth retardation
- Low blood pressure
- Retarded bone growth
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of smell and taste senses
- Depression
- Rough skin/Pale Skin
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- White spots under finger nails.
Important Sources of Zinc: The most important food source
for zinc is meat, and other products like oysters, turnips, peas, oats,
peanuts, almonds, whole wheat grain, pumpkin seeds, ginger root and pecan nuts
have smaller, but still worthwhile amounts of this beneficial vitamin.
Health Benefits of Zinc:
The most important health benefits of zinc are listed below.
Skin Care: Studies have shown zinc to be an effective home
remedy for curing pimples and acne. The consumption of antibiotic medication is
still considered to be more effective, but the side effects and potential
hormonal imbalance that those medicines can cause also must be considered.
Also, since one of zinc’s most vital functions are to stimulate white blood
cell function. White blood cells are integral in the healing process and can
defend the body against a number of infections, including those that commonly
attack canker sores, ulcers, burns, surgical incisions, and other various
wounds. Zinc is also required for the production of collagen, a connective
tissue that is required for skin repair and regrowth.
Eczema: Also called “atopic dermatitis”, eczema is an
inflammatory and chronic disorder of the skin, and it is mainly caused by
deficiency of zinc in the body. Zinc plays an important role in healing chronic
infections and assists the body in restoring its ability to heal properly and
completely. This irritation can be cleared up by re-balancing the zinc content
in your blood.
Acne: This mineral is important for eliminating acne from
the skin. It regulates and controls the amount of testosterone in the body,
which plays a dominant role in causing acne. In addition to that, zinc is also
involved in collagen synthesis. This further aids in normalizing the amount of
skin oils and improves the maintenance of healthy skin. The open sores that
come with acne are practically magnets for bacterial and viral infections, and
zinc can stimulate the white blood cell count and reduce the chances of any
type of infection. Finally, acne can leave permanent scars on people who suffer
from the condition, and zinc can help to reduce the evidence of those scars.
Prostate disorder: Zinc is very important in dealing with
prostate disorders. Zinc deficiency causes enlargement of the prostate gland
and makes it vulnerable to cancer. It is advisable to take 15mg of zinc every
day, under close medical observation, when suffering from prostate disorder.
Studies have shown a reduction in tumor growth in the prostate when normal
levels of zinc are present in the system.
Cognitive Function: Recent research has shown zinc to have a
strong impact on mental function, because it can pair up with vitamin B6 to
ensure the proper function of neurotransmitters that communicate with the body.
Zinc is also found in high concentrations in the hippocampus, which controls
thought and memory. For those who have suffered from an injury, extra zinc will
keep brain function strong, because the body naturally diverts zinc to the
other parts of the body for healing purposes.
Sense of Smell and Taste: Zinc is one of the most important
elements for a healthy life, but it has some very unique benefits as well,
including the improvement of the senses of taste and smell. Taste buds and
olfactory cells are zinc-reliant, and it is necessary for the proper
development and growth of those specific cells. Studies have shown that raising
zinc levels can heighten these two senses, because they are finally functioning
at optimal levels.
Common Cold: Zinc supplements help in decreasing the severity and
duration of colds and other mild illnesses. It reduces the amount of
pro-inflammatory cytokines, which aggravate the body during colds or other
infections. Also, zinc’s ability to stimulate white blood cell activity makes
it ideal for reducing colds and infections.
Weight loss: Zinc plays a leading role in weight loss for
obese individuals. A number of studies have connected zinc with a decrease in
appetite, which prevents overeating. This is related to zinc’s manipulation of
the ghrelin hormone, which tells the body when it wants to eat.
Pregnancy: Zinc is essential for the repair and functioning
of DNA. It is essential for rapid growth of cells and for the building of major
constituents of the cell over the course of a pregnancy. So much development
and enzymatic activity takes place during pregnancy that zinc is one of the
most important nutrients for infants and mothers.
Reproduction Hormones: In males, zinc assists in spermatogenesis and
the development of the sex organs, while in females, zinc aids in all the
reproductive phases, including the parturition and lactation stages. When it
comes to sperm, zinc acts in a number of ways. First of all, it acts as a sort
of sedative for the sperm so they don’t expend unnecessary energy. The zinc
also protects the reproductive DNA inside the sperm from breaking down, so a
correct transference of information is guaranteed. Once the sperm enters the
female reproductive tract, it quickly dissipates and the sperm have a sudden
burst of energy, which propels them up the tube. Finally, zinc is an essential
part of the enzymes that allow sperm to penetrate the egg.
Biological Functions: Zinc plays a key role in many
biological functions such as reproduction, diabetes control, stress level
modulation, immune resistance, smell and taste, physical growth, appetite and
digestion.
Infection: Zinc helps a person to sense tastes and smells,
improves the rate of wound healing, boosts immunity and helps in promoting the
fetus growth. Zinc helps in protecting against infectious disorders and fungal
infections, which include pneumonia and conjunctivitis.
Antioxidant: Zinc acts as an antioxidant and is involved in
some of the biochemically decisive reactions in the body, including protein
synthesis, enzymatic function and carbohydrate metabolism. Since zinc is
involved in so many integral systems and functions of the body, it cannot be
stressed enough – You must have zinc in your diet!
Enzyme regulation: Zinc is an essential component in a
number of enzymes that help in regulating cell growth, protein synthesis,
hormonal level, DNA, regulating gene transcription, energy metabolism and other
related functions.
Cancer: In males, zinc plays a vital role in the prostate
gland and prevents premature damage or strain, which can lead to problems like
cancer. The natural antioxidant properties of zinc mean that it actively seeks
out free radicals, the hazardous byproducts of cell metabolism that can cause a
number of diseases. Free radicals can morph normal cells into cancerous cells
by breaking down the DNA integrity so the elimination of free radicals by
antioxidants is one of the most vital lines of defense against many kinds of
cancer.
Chronic Fatigue: People suffering from chronic fatigue are
usually told to consume fish oil, as it is rich in zinc. Many doctors suggest
no other medications for curing chronic fatigue except to start consuming fish
oil. Zinc must be doing something right! Zinc is integral for normal muscle
function, and many researchers believe that muscle fatigue is one of the major
causes of chronic fatigue. Therefore, zinc is the ideal supplement to boost
your energy levels.
Alopecia: Alopecia causes loss of hair in both children and
adults. Doctors often tell people suffering from this condition to seriously
boost their intake of zinc in their diet. Since zinc is so beneficial for hair
strength and integrity, the symptoms of alopecia can sometimes be diminished.
You can access zinc supplements and capsules in almost all health food stores
and groceries. studies have shown that zinc is somewhat more effective on
treating childhood alopecia that the conditions of adults.
Bone loss: This is a condition when the bones become weak
and fragile. Zinc is a component of hydroxyapatite, which is a salt and makes
the bone matrix strong and hard. For this reason, zinc should be added in your
dietary plan to avoid bone loss, particularly as you get older, or if you show
any signs of premature aging or osteoporosis.
Night blindness: Consuming Zinc in quantities of
about 150-450 mg will help to improve your vision. Therefore, it is always
recommended to consume food like beef, lamb, oysters, buckwheat and crabs as
they are rich in zinc content and will improve the ability to see, and is
particularly helpful for those suffering from night blindness. Vitamin-A, which
is an essential part of improving night vision, stimulates certain enzymes that couldn't function without zinc, therefore making it a necessary element in
reducing night blindness.
