ZINC Benefits to the Body

7/28/2019 ZINC Benefits to the Body

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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.

A normal person contains two to three grams of Zinc at any given time. There are

organs of the human body which secrete Zinc, such as the salivary gland, the prostate

gland and the pancreas. Even cells involved in the activity of the immune system

secrete zinc. As such, it is used up in various metabolic processes and eliminated

through normal excretory and urinary channels, so it needs to be replenished often. If

it isnt you will begin to suffer from deficiency symptoms, a list of which can be

found below.

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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, wholewheatgrain,

pumpkin seeds, ginger root and pecan nuts have smaller, but still worthwhile amounts

of this beneficial vitamin.

Health Benefits of Zinc
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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 zincs most vitalfunctions is 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 foreliminating 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.
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Prostate disorder: Zinc is very important in dealing withprostate disorders. Zinc

deficiency causes enlargement of the prostate gland and makes it vulnerable to cancer.

It is advisable to take 15mg of zinc everyday, 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 haveshown that raising zinc levels can heighten these two senses, because they are finally

functioning at optimal levels.

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, zincs ability to stimulate

white blood cell activitymakes it ideal for reducing colds and infections.

Weight loss: Zinc plays a leading role in weight lossfor obese individuals. A number

of studies have connected zinc with a decrease in appetite, which prevents overeating.

This is related to zincs 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: In males, zinc assists in spermatogenesis and the development of the

sex organs, while in females, zinc aids in all the reproductive phases, including theparturition 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 dont expend

unnecessary energy. The zinc also protect 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.
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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 includepneumonia 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 anumber of enzymesthat 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 toproblems like cancer. The natural antioxidant

properties of zinc means 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 fatigueexcept 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 ofpremature 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
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enzymes that couldnt function without zinc, therefore making it a necessary element

in reducing night blindness.

ZINC Benefits to the Body

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