| Minerals are sometimes overlooked as | | | | insufficient caloric intake and digestive |
| essential elements for our body. Zinc is | | | | diseases. Alcoholism decreases the units of |
| vital to both humans and animals. It is found | | | | zinc absorbed by the body and increases zinc |
| in all the cells in our body.Zinc has a lot | | | | loss in the urine.Furthermore, vegetarians |
| of functions. Here are some functions of | | | | need to be more cautious because zinc |
| zinc...It stimulates the chemicals that | | | | absorption from plants is generally |
| promote biochemical processes in the body.It | | | | lower.Zinc deficiency often occurs when there |
| helps in the maintenance of a healthy immune | | | | is inadequate intake or malabsorption, when |
| system.It is required for wound healing or in | | | | there is an increase in zinc body requirement |
| healing injuriesIt is important in | | | | or when there is increased zinc losses from |
| maintaining your healthy sense of smell, | | | | the body.There is also maternal zinc |
| sight and tasteIt is required for proper DNA | | | | deficiency. This can lead to slowed fetal |
| synthesisIt aids in optimal growth and | | | | growth. Breast milk does not provide enough |
| development especially during pregnancy, | | | | zinc for infants 7 months and older. |
| childhood and adolescence.It supports sperm | | | | Breastfeeding also drain the mother's zinc |
| development in men and is required for | | | | reserves. Thus, foods that are good sources |
| ovulation and fertilization in women.It is | | | | of zinc should be included in her |
| needed in synthesizing protein and metabolism | | | | diet.Deficiency manifests in several ways. |
| of fatty acidsIt contributes to the body's | | | | These include diarrhea, hair loss, growth |
| protection against free radicalsZinc was | | | | retardation, impotence and delayed sexual |
| found to be very helpful in the following | | | | maturation, and eye and skin lesions.Impaired |
| conditions:Childhood intelligence | | | | wound healing, weight loss and mental |
| deficiencyAcne (Zinc controls bacteria and is | | | | lethargy can also be associated with zinc |
| vital for normal production of oil in the | | | | deficiency. However, these symptoms are also |
| body.)Infertility (for male)Contact | | | | too general and too common for other medical |
| DermatitisCommon Cold (Zinc lozenges help | | | | conditions. Thus, it is best that you consult |
| shorten the length of having a cold. Zinc | | | | your doctor.Zinc deficiency leads to a |
| lozenges or zinc spray can be used to prevent | | | | compromised immune system. This is because |
| a cold.)Down's SyndromeWilson's disease (This | | | | zinc is needed in T-lymphocyte development |
| is through interfering the body's use of | | | | and activation.Of course, too much of |
| mineral copper. Zinc blocks copper | | | | something is also bad for your health. Too |
| absorption.)Night blindnessWound healingIn | | | | much zinc supplementation can lead to zinc |
| addition to these, zinc aids in the | | | | toxicity. This can lead to altered iron |
| prevention of prostate enlargement and | | | | function, reduced immune function, low copper |
| reduction of the size of an enlarged | | | | status and reduced levels of good |
| prostate. Zinc is significant in several | | | | cholesterol.Proper diet and exercise are |
| aspects of metabolism of hormones.Zinc | | | | foundations of good health and nutrition. A |
| deficiencies are not as common in developed | | | | multivitamin can mean just plus points to |
| countries than in third world countries. | | | | your diet or be as important as eating right. |
| People with Down's syndrome, malabsorption | | | | Remember to read labels to know the content |
| syndromes and liver cirrhosis are more or | | | | and quality of what you are taking. Consult |
| less prone to zinc deficiencies no matter | | | | your doctor for the most suitable supplements |
| what country they are in.In addition to these | | | | for you. |
| other risk factors include alcoholism, | | | | |