Zinc is an essential mineral that is consumed in our daily diet. It is responsible for several functions which make it essential to our overall health. Zinc plays a crucial role in keeping our immune system functioning at optimum levels. People with zinc deficiencies have been known to be much more prone to developing pneumonia and other chronic respiratory illnesses. It also helps to alleviate the symptoms of the common cold. Some researchers say that zinc can shorten the duration of a cold if taken while infected.
Zinc helps our body with healing of wounds as well. It is responsible for helping to keep up the well being of the skin itself and the mucous membranes. Researchers have found that people who have chronic ulcerations on their lower extremities are much more prone to having low levels of zinc in their system and frequently do not metabolize and absorb zinc properly. Many medical practitioners treat chronic skin conditions including ulcerations with supplements of zinc.
Zinc is key to growth and development during pregnancy, childhood and adolescence. It is very important that pregnant women get enough zinc in their diet to cover the needs both for themselves and their developing infant. Lactating mothers breast milk has enough zinc present to take care of an infant until the age of 7 months then infants should be supplemented either through diet or supplements for proper growth and development.
Zinc is found in our food and should be available in the daily diet. It is found in most meats and poultry. It can be found in seafood and shellfish as well. Oysters are very high in zinc. Other foods that contain zinc are beans, whole grains, nuts and some fortified cereals, and dairy products. There is a substance in some grains and legumes called phytates. This substance when eaten with zinc rich foods binds with the zinc and inhibits the absorption of it. This makes these types of products which contain zinc less desirable when looking for natural sources for the daily diet.
The recommended daily allowance of zinc for adult women is 8 mg a day. It is 11 mg a day for adult men. This goes up to 11 mg a day for pregnant females over the age of 18 and 12 mg for lactating females over the age of 18.
Since zinc can be found in many foods it should be readily available to most people. However there are some people who are at high risk of having zinc deficiency and should be on zinc supplements. People who are vegan or vegetarian and do not eat meat or meat products should consider zinc supplements since the types of foods that they do eat contain phytates and that negates the zinc content in the food. They have a much higher chance of having a zinc deficiency.
People who have chronic gastrointestinal illness or disease such as Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative colitis are at a much higher risk of having malabsorption syndrome. This makes them at higher risk of having nutritional deficiencies of which zinc can be one. Older infants who are breastfed exclusively can be at a higher risk of being deficient in zinc. People who are alcoholics are at a higher risk as well. Those people who have auto immune disorders also are at a higher risk of having zinc deficiencies. Last, children or the elderly in developing countries who have been malnourished are more likely to have zinc deficiencies.
Zinc deficiency can cause retardation in growth, problems with the immune system and loss of appetite. When zinc deficiency is more severe hair loss can occur as well as impotence, having delayed sexual development, weight loss, delayed healing of wounds, mental lethargy and fatigue, skin lesions and problems with taste.
As you can see it is very important that a person gets an adequate amount of zinc in their diet on a daily basis. Zinc is not stored by the body so it has to be taken in daily for it to be metabolized and used and the body to function properly. Please note however it is extremely hard for medical personnel to test for zinc deficiency with lab testing so it may be hard to get a quick easy diagnosis of zinc deficiency if you suspect that you have this problem. As always, consult with your medical professional if you feel that you have this or any other health issue before starting to take any type of nutritional supplement.
Not everyone is aware of the significance of zinc. Nevertheless, it is a mineral that is very important to our bodies. Our bodies cannot produce zinc themselves, and that is why we need to consume it through various products or nutritional supplements. To be able to maintain overall health and prevent problems with sexual dysfunction, taste and sight, you should learn more about zinc and make sure that you take it on a regular basis.
There is a vast array of different minerals and vitamins that are vitally important for our bodies to function as they should for a long time. If you have a zinc deficiency, you will likely experience a number of problems with your health, such as disorders that can influence your immune system, joints and many other organs. That is why it is very dangerous not to pay attention to healthy eating and to ignore products that contain zinc, this vitally important mineral. If you want to improve your sexual function and prevent hair loss, you would do well to eat more products that contain zinc.
However, it is very important to stay within the recommended limits when it comes to zinc. Everything should be consumed in moderation. Zinc can improve the immune system, and it can also harm it if taken in greater amounts than required. You should know that the daily recommended dosage of zinc should not be more than one hundred milligrams. There is no need to try to hasten any natural process. Zinc should be taken in moderate doses. Because there are not very many natural products that contain zinc, it should be taken in supplements. Nutritional supplements are very beneficial for your body, especially when it comes to the intake of zinc and copper. These two elements should be taken together to enhance the effects they produce.
However, there are no supplements that can substitute for healthy eating. You should follow a very well-balanced diet if your want to stay healthy and live for a long time. All supplements — including zinc — should be taken only as additions to your healthy diet. Of course, these will be a very good and important addition.
You should also know that it is vital to buy good supplements. There is no sense in taking a risk by purchasing cheaper supplements from some unknown manufacturer that can lead to damage to your health. You should buy supplements made by GMP compliant manufacturers only. That will guarantee that everything that is written on the label is true, that that you get the needed amount of zinc to achieve the required results. It is very important to be aware of all the problems that can arise if you buy unlicensed nutritional supplements. You should exercise caution and be wise about your choices.
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