Zinc can be found in every cell in the body and is found in the highest concentration in hair, nails and eyes. The body stores about 2.2 grams of zinc through out the body. Zinc is also involved with the enzymes responsible for digestion, genetic material and proteins. Zinc is also involved in the transport of vitamin A from the liver, aids in the normal development of fetuses, and the making of many hormones.
- Fact: Cofactor means that one substance works together with another to make a chemical reaction. Zinc is a cofactor with enzymes to make a chemical reaction that metabolizes other substances like carbohydrates and alcohol.
How does zinc prevents colds?
Zinc is needed to make many hormones in the body like testosterone. Zinc is also needed to make other hormones, too. Certain hormones tell the immune system to kick in when the body is being attacked by viruses. Zinc is used to make these hormones to trigger possibly an earlier reaction of the immune system to prevent and shorten the length of a virus's effect on the body.
Overdose
Vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, loss of appetite and exhaustion can be symptoms of a zinc overdose.
Too much zinc can cause a mineral imbalance by blocking the absorption of other minerals. Minerals like copper, calcium and iron may not get absorbed because the receptors that absorb minerals are being used up by the zinc. This will cause the body to be deficient in these other minerals.
Minerals also build up easily in the body similarly to fat soluble vitamins. The most common cause of an overdose of zinc is overdoing supplements.
Deficiencies
Major deficiencies of zinc are rare. A deficiency in zinc can cause eye lesions, skin lesions, poor wound healing, birth defects and impaired immune function. In children a zinc deficiency can cause delayed sexual development,and poor growth. Zinc deficiency is one possible cause of dwarfism in developing countries.
Slight deficiencies are much more common. Slight zinc deficiencies can contribute to short stature in children, slow wound healing, frequent infections, hair loss, and a lost sense of taste.
Risk factors for slight deficiencies include a vegan diet, a very high fiber diet, alcoholism and age. Vegans are at risk because while many vegan foods do contain zinc, some of the most common and dense zinc-rich foods are animals products. High-fiber diets also put certain people at risk because all minerals tend to bind to fiber, including zinc. Alcoholics tend to get zinc deficiencies because zinc is needed to metabolize the alcohol. The high levels of alcohol flush zinc out of the body, causing a deficiency. People after the age of fifty sometimes develop trouble absorbing nutrients, including zinc. Often it is advised that people over fifty take a supplement.
- Tip: It is important to talk to your doctor before taking zinc supplements.
- Fact: Some one who drinks alcohol and is deficient in zinc can get drunk faster and stay drunk longer. This is because the the body is unable to metabolize the alcohol.
Oysters are among the best zinc sources. Others great sources for zinc include almonds, black beans, red meat, cheese, chicken, chick peas, lentils, wheat germ, and white beans.
Best supplements
Women need about eight milligrams a day of zinc and men need about eleven milligrams a day.
The zinc supplement that is best absorbed is zinc glutconate, followed by zinc acetate. Take zinc and fiber supplements separately. Avoid taking zinc on an empty stomach because it may cause stomach upset.
Samantha Rufle - I am a home school and stay at home mom of two great boys. I have always been interested in nutrition and was always searching out ways to ...
