Why Do I Need Zinc and What Is It?

Because zinc is a trace mineral, your body only needs a small amount to function properly. Nevertheless, it is significant for its role in maintaining your health. Zinc helps heal wounds and maintains a healthy immune system that is prepared to combat harmful bacteria and viruses. If you take a zinc supplement within the first 24 hours of feeling ill, it may help shorten the duration and severity of the common cold.

The body also uses zinc to make DNA and proteins. Zinc is crucial during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood because it supports proper growth and development during each of these life stages. Combining zinc with other vitamins and antioxidants may slow the progression of mascular degeneration.

Benefits of zinc:

Zinc is important for the immune system, growth and development, skin health, and many other things.

Immune support:

The immune system is unable to effectively combat infections and diseases if the body does not receive sufficient zinc intake. It has been demonstrated that the body’s inability to produce and activate T lymphocytes (T cells), which are cells produced in the bone marrow and aid in the immune system’s defense against infections and diseases, is impacted by zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of pneumonia, diarrhea, and other infectious diseases as a result. Zinc supplements are commonly used to treat seasonal illnesses like the common cold in addition to preventing deficiency. Zinc acetate lozenges reduced the duration of the common cold. Growth and development Zinc deficiency can have a negative effect on growth and development and affects millions of infants and children in both developed and developing nations. Low immune function, poor motor and cognitive development, behavioral issues, and lower academic achievement have all been linked to zinc deficiency. It was demonstrated that taking zinc supplements increased height and weight, particularly in children who were overweight and tall for their age.

Skin health:

 In the field of dermatology, zinc is a well-known acne treatment. Zinc can be taken orally or topically to help reduce acne and scarring, depending on the severity of the condition. A double-masked study demonstrated that a solution of 1.2% zinc acetate and 4% erythromycin significantly clears acne.

Wound healing:

Zinc plays a role in wound healing by supporting the skin’s integrity, assisting in the repair of mucosal membranes, reducing inflammation and infection, and speeding up healing.

Eye health:

Zinc supplementation may also slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the leading cause of blindness worldwide that affects approximately 170 million people.

Choosing Foods High in zinc:

Zinc can be found in a wide variety of foods, such as baked beans, fortified breakfast cereals, seafood, oysters, and crab, as well as red meat, turkey, lamb, and chicken. All legumes, including chickpeas, lentils, and beans, are excellent sources of zinc. This may put vegetarians in a difficult position. Whole grains, blueberries, and nuts are added to Kuhn’s list of zinc sources without meat.

What symptoms are associated with zinc deficiency?

Zinc deficiency can occur if you don’t get enough zinc into your body, if your body doesn’t take in the nutrient well, or if the mineral goes out of your body through your intestines.

The following are signs of zinc deficiency:

• Diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Swollen tongue
• Distorted or discolored nails
• Decreased immunity
• Impaired growth