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