Zinc
DEFINITION
Zinc was identified as an essential trace metal by Raulin in
1869. This is one of the most important minerals in the body and is
found only in the fat free tissue.
1869. This is one of the most important minerals in the body and is
found only in the fat free tissue.
DESCRIPTION
Taken best in a chelated form for higher ‘bioavailability’
(better absorption). The immune system requires Zinc for many
aspects of its function. It helps combat harmful wastes and
substances in the body, has an anti-bacterial effect that is useful
for acne and wound healing and it stimulates white blood cells and
is thought to reduce inflammation. Zinc is also helpful during
acute and chronic infection and in the management of chronic
fatigue syndrome.
(better absorption). The immune system requires Zinc for many
aspects of its function. It helps combat harmful wastes and
substances in the body, has an anti-bacterial effect that is useful
for acne and wound healing and it stimulates white blood cells and
is thought to reduce inflammation. Zinc is also helpful during
acute and chronic infection and in the management of chronic
fatigue syndrome.
ZINC LOZENGES
In a recent study, 100 patients with symptoms of the common
cold who used lozenges containing zinc, nearly halved the duration
of the symptoms. Another recent clinical trial involving 100
patients with symptoms of the common cold revealed similar results.
The duration of symptoms such as coughing, headache, hoarseness,
nasal congestion, post nasal drip and sore throat was significantly
shortened in those patients who were given Zinc lozenges, dissolved
in the mouth every two hours, compared with those patients who did
not receive the Zinc lozenges.
cold who used lozenges containing zinc, nearly halved the duration
of the symptoms. Another recent clinical trial involving 100
patients with symptoms of the common cold revealed similar results.
The duration of symptoms such as coughing, headache, hoarseness,
nasal congestion, post nasal drip and sore throat was significantly
shortened in those patients who were given Zinc lozenges, dissolved
in the mouth every two hours, compared with those patients who did
not receive the Zinc lozenges.
Zinc is associated with proper taste sensation and may be
deficient in people with poor appetites and poor digestion. It can
also be used to help with bad breath and mouth ulcers as Zinc
stimulates oral immunity. It may also be useful for malabsorption
of nutrients. The earliest signs of Zinc deficiency tend to be seen
in the nervous system with non-specific psychological disturbances
such as mood and behavioural changes. Zinc may be helpful in the
management of chronic stress, poor concentration, learning
difficulties, sleep problems, depression and moodiness,
schizophrenia and epilepsy.
deficient in people with poor appetites and poor digestion. It can
also be used to help with bad breath and mouth ulcers as Zinc
stimulates oral immunity. It may also be useful for malabsorption
of nutrients. The earliest signs of Zinc deficiency tend to be seen
in the nervous system with non-specific psychological disturbances
such as mood and behavioural changes. Zinc may be helpful in the
management of chronic stress, poor concentration, learning
difficulties, sleep problems, depression and moodiness,
schizophrenia and epilepsy.
Deficiencies in Zinc levels can be associated with general skin
problems such as acne, dermatitis and psoriasis. Zinc helps
stabilise all membranes and helps preserve the strength and
integrity of the skin as a barrier. Zinc may be useful in the
management of prostatic hyperplasia (prostatic enlargement) and the
reduction of the symptoms associated with it. Levels of Zinc are
often low in men with prostatic hyperplasia. Zinc helps remove the
toxic metal cadmium from the body. Cadmium is one of the factors
that can contribute to prostatic hyperplasia. Zinc is involved in
many aspects of the male hormone system. It is the reduction in
normal levels of male hormones that can lead to prostatic
hyperplasia.
problems such as acne, dermatitis and psoriasis. Zinc helps
stabilise all membranes and helps preserve the strength and
integrity of the skin as a barrier. Zinc may be useful in the
management of prostatic hyperplasia (prostatic enlargement) and the
reduction of the symptoms associated with it. Levels of Zinc are
often low in men with prostatic hyperplasia. Zinc helps remove the
toxic metal cadmium from the body. Cadmium is one of the factors
that can contribute to prostatic hyperplasia. Zinc is involved in
many aspects of the male hormone system. It is the reduction in
normal levels of male hormones that can lead to prostatic
hyperplasia.
DEFICIENCY
Zinc deficiency is most often seen in children, adolescent
females and women with young children. The signs and symptoms of
Zinc deficiency include loss of appetite, growth retardation,
delayed sexual maturation in adolescents, decreased sperm
production, sexual dysfunction, poor hair growth and hair loss,
dermatitis, lowered immunity, night blindness, slow wound healing,
altered sense of taste, white spots or streaks in the fingernails,
fatigue and anaemia, depression and a feeling of mental
‘sluggishness’.
females and women with young children. The signs and symptoms of
Zinc deficiency include loss of appetite, growth retardation,
delayed sexual maturation in adolescents, decreased sperm
production, sexual dysfunction, poor hair growth and hair loss,
dermatitis, lowered immunity, night blindness, slow wound healing,
altered sense of taste, white spots or streaks in the fingernails,
fatigue and anaemia, depression and a feeling of mental
‘sluggishness’.
Recommended Daily Intake of Zinc:
- Infants 7 to+12 months 4.5 to 6 mg
- Children 4.5 to 18 mg
- Adults 6 to 15 mg. Recommended daily allowance is 0.2 mg/kg
bodyweight/day.
SOURCES
Oysters (highest level in foods), herring, kelp, seafood,
beef, liver, wheat germ, rolled oats porridge, ginger, pumpkin
seeds and yeast. Zinc is available as a nutritional supplement in
tablet or lozenge form.
beef, liver, wheat germ, rolled oats porridge, ginger, pumpkin
seeds and yeast. Zinc is available as a nutritional supplement in
tablet or lozenge form.