What do multivitamin ads on TV and online have in common? A staple group of nutrients that’s studied to help you achieve optimal health. And one of these nutrients is Zinc, a mineral with multiple benefits for skin health, the body’s growth and development, the immune system and more! What makes Zinc an essential nutrient and how does it help ensure your protection against health-damaging germs and bacteria? Read on for the must-knows, along with suggestions on where you can get your daily dose of the mineral.
Zinc: An Essential Nutrient
Zinc is an essential nutrient for two big reasons: it’s a mineral that the body can’t produce and store, and it’s involved in many of the body’s internal processes such as:
- Gene expression
- Enzymatic expression
- DNA synthesis
- Wound healing
- Growth and development
- Immune function
A necessary component in the production of protein and DNA, zinc plays a role in cell division and cell growth. This is also why during pregnancy, infancy and childhood, zinc is essential for healthy growth and development.
Zinc for the Immune System
One of zinc’s biggest health benefits is the assistance it offers to the body’s immune system. Countless health ads and features will tell you that the mineral helps strengthen one’s resistance against illness and infection. And it’s true. Zinc supports your immunity in multiple ways, including optimizing immune response, speeding up wound healing, and controlling inflammation.
Optimizes the Immune Response
Zinc stimulates the production of T-cells, a type of white blood cell in charge of eliminating antigens (foreign bodies that have entered the body). It’s important to understand that when the immune system identifies antigens, it has to act quick and eliminate these invaders before they could do damage to your health. For quick immune response, an ample amount of T-cells helps.
Speeds up Wound Healing
Wounds, especially untreated ones, are invitations for germs and bacteria to enter your body. Linked to the body’s immune response, zinc supports efficient wound healing as it plays multiple critical roles in collagen synthesis and inflammatory response. The mineral regulates every phase of the wound healing process; from membrane repair, coagulation, inflammation control, down to scar formation.
Controls Inflammation
Studies show that zinc decreases oxidative stress which triggers inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s response to irritation, infection and injury. While short-term protects the body, chronic inflammation can lead to pain. A potent anti-inflammatory, zinc helps prevent pain and, more importantly, complications and diseases such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
How Much Zinc Do You Need?
Zinc deficiency is associated with slow conditions such as growth (especially in infants and children), hair loss, diarrhea, weight loss, weakened senses of taste and smell, and a weakened immune system. That’s why it’s important to make sure you and your loved ones regularly meet the recommended daily amount of the nutrient.
The amount of zinc you need each day depends on your age. The average daily recommended amounts for different ages and genders (as gathered from Medical News Today) are as follows:
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 0-6 months | 2 mg | 2 mg |
| 7-12 months | 3 mg | 3 mg |
| 1-3 years | 3 mg | 3 mg |
| 4-8 years | 5 mg | 5 mg |
| 9-13 years | 8 mg | 8 mg |
| 14-18 years | 11 mg | 9 mg |
| 19 years and over | 11 mg | 8 mg |
Empower Your Daily Immunity with Zinc
As previously mentioned, zinc is a nutrient that the body can’t produce or store. The good news is: there’s a wide variety of zinc-rich foods that you can work into your daily meal plan. Take these examples:
- Red Meat
- Shellfish (such as crab, shrimp and oysters)
- Dairy (such as milk, cheese and yogurt)
- Seeds and Legumes (such as squash, pumpkin, and chickpeas)
To further ensure that you reach your daily quota for zinc, supplements such as Sodium Ascorbate + Zinc (ImmunPro®) can help. With proper diet and exercise, Sodium Ascorbate + Zinc (ImmunPro®) pairs zinc with vitamin C via a ZincPlus Tablet Technology to help improve the body’s natural defenses against illness and infections. You may also click here to purchase ImmunPro® online.
Read more health features and tips on how to boost the immune system and more.
IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.
ASC Reference No. U171P110521IS
