1) Zinc is needed to promote the healing of wounds.
2) The maintenance of your sense of taste and smell call for an adequate supply of zinc.
3) Zinc is needed for the synthesis of DNA.
4) Zinc is needed for ovulation and fertilization.
5) Up to 50% of alcoholics suffer from a deficiency of zinc.
6) Zinc lozenges and nose sprays are used to fight colds.
7) Zinc aids in the normal growth and development of fetuses.
8) A child with a diet deficient in zinc may experience stunted growth.
9) Too much zinc can reduce the body’s level of “good” cholesterol.
10) Breastfeeding can deplete the zinc in a woman’s body.
A deficiency of zinc can occur when not enough is consumed, the zinc that is consumed is poorly absorbed, or when the body’s requirements for zinc increase (as with breastfeeding). When zinc levels are inadequate, an individual may experience hair loss, impotence, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lesions of the skin and eyes. Because these symptoms occur with many other problems, too, do not assume that zinc is the cause.
A deficiency of zinc is best diagnosed and treated by a physician. Vegetarians must be on guard against zinc deficiency because plant sources of zinc are not utilized as effectively by the human body as animal sources of zinc are.
Our immune systems are negatively affected by merely moderate zinc deficiencies. A pronounced shortage of zinc in the body can severely impair the functioning of the immune system. Studies have shown that when zinc supplements are given to people suffering from a deficiency of zinc, T-cells circulating in the body increase and the capacity to fight infection is enhanced.
The recommended daily zinc intake for adult females and adult males is 40 mg. Good sources of zinc include red meat, poultry, whole grains, fortified cereal, beans, and nuts.
Copyright © Dennis Becker, 2004.
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