- What functions does zinc have in the body?
- Zinc: valuable immune support
- How do you know if you have too little zinc?
- Zinc: where can we find it?
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You often get infections, in autumn and winter any virus defeats you - or maybe you have memory problems, do not taste the food or the condition of your hair, skin and nails leaves much to be desired? All these symptoms have one thing in common: zinc. This element, which hardly anyone knows, not only affects our appearance, but also protects our immunity. It is worth getting to know its properties better, especially since many people have too little of it, which is mainly due to the diet.
Zinc is a micronutrient, which means that its amounts in our body are really trace.
But it has so many functions that the human body would not be able to function without it. Its presence is essential for life: organic zinc is extremely important for the proper course of pregnancy (too little of it during this period may damage the nerves of the fetus), as well as for proper growth and development, maturation, tissue regeneration, and wound healing and for building immunity. It takes part in the synthesis of proteins, is part of many enzymes, is responsible for the correct perception of smells and flavors.
And although - like every trace element - we need very little of it, surprisingly many people have too little of it.
What functions does zinc have in the body?
The importance of organic zinc for humans is evidenced by a fairly long list of functions and tasks that this element performs in our body.
- Is a component of over 300 enzymes
- Participates in the processes of energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat conversion
- Participates in genetic processes and cell division
- It is necessary for the production of many hormones, including insulin
- It is an excellent antioxidant
- Improves intellectual performance
- It affects the condition of hair, skin and nails
- Stimulates the work of the pancreas and thymus
- Strengthens immunity, supports the natural barrier against viruses and bacteria
- Supports eyesight as it protects the macula against degeneration
- Helps us to feel the taste of food
- Has a positive effect on male fertility
- Participates in the wound healing process
Zinc: valuable immune support
A particularly valuable - and underestimated - function of organic zinc is its beneficialinfluence on the immune system. When this element is lacking in the body, we get sick more often and more easily, especially infections caused by viruses, such as colds or flu, as well as upper respiratory tract infections or even pneumonia.
Organic zinc is involved in the formation and acceleration of the maturation of T lymphocytes - one of the most important immune cells. The effect of the low amount of this element is weaker immunity due to the weakening of the functions of macrophages, neutrophils and NK cells.
How do you know if you have too little zinc?
Although we need this element in really small amounts, many people suffer from its deficiencies, which is favored by a diet rich in sugar and fiber (which make its absorption difficult).
And their symptoms are very characteristic. It is primarily a tendency to infections, problems with concentration and memory, poorer condition of hair and skin, white spots on nails, changes in taste and smell, depression and apathy, dry mouth, decreased libido, fatigue, and less tolerance to alcohol or its lack.
Zinc: where can we find it?
Organic zinc is found in both animal and vegetable products (it is better absorbed from animal products, due to the fact that oxalates, phytates and fiber are present in plants, which with zinc create compounds that hinder its absorption) .
Good sources of zinc include meat, cheese, legumes, nuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, as well as buckwheat and whole grain bread, rice and pasta, as well as eggs, fish and oysters. Dietary supplements are also a valuable source of it. Some of them contain up to 15 mg of organic zinc in one tablet, e.g. the dietary supplement Organic zinc 15 mg.