We all have favorites and my favorite mineral may very well be the mighty Zinc. Sometimes I go back and forth between magnesium and zinc but I always tend to lean towards “Heavy-Z”.

It is estimated that zinc is involved in 300 enzymatic reactions in the body most of which involve the immune system and repair of body tissues. In order to simply burn fat, carbohydrates and metabolize protein you need healthy zinc levels. Zinc is important for chemical detoxification, growth, development, immune function and sexual function. Healing cannot take place without adequate zinc. Having problems with brain function such as memory and learning? Well zinc is involved in every enzymatic reaction in the brain. Zinc is found in it’s highest concentrations in the ear and the eye so any problems with vision or hearing can be a zinc deficiency.

What causes zinc deficiencies?

Due to our high-stress lifestyles, poor diets, smoking, vegetarianism, alcohol, and food processing, zinc deficiency is rampant. In addition, we only consume on average as low as 47% of the recommended daily intake of zinc. Toxic metals such as cadmium from cigarettes and copper from copper-lined water pipes deplete zinc from the body. Stress is a killer and one of the reasons is because it wipes out your zinc levels pretty quickly.

Zinc and your skin

Zinc has been shown to be more effective than the antibiotic tetracycline for acne in teenagers. Zinc deficiency can be a contributing factor in other skin conditions as well including psoriasis, eczema, burns and wounds that heal slowly.

Every man should check his zinc levels

Zinc is a vital nutrient for sexual health. It works in virtually every aspect of male reproduction including sperm production, sperm motility and hormone metabolism. Men with low testosterone and low sperm counts are usually zinc deficient. Men who supplement with zinc can reduce the size of the prostate and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Frequent urination and urge to urinate diminishes with zinc supplementation. Zinc has been shown to return testosterone levels back to normal if they are low. Zinc will not increase your testosterone levels above normal however.

Should you take zinc if you are pregnant?

Zinc deficiency in women can lead to premature births, low birth weight, delivery problems, growth retardation, spontaneous abortion and toxemia.

Zinc and your immune system

Zinc is directly involved in the production of white blood cells and it supports natural killer cells which fight infections such as viruses, bacteria and yeasts. Zinc is also required for producing the hormone thymulin which is produced by the thymus. The lower the thymulin levels the more susceptible you are to infections. Supplementing with zinc has been shown to reduce how long you stay sick from the common cold by about 3 days. In order to truly defeat chronic infections you must have healthy zinc levels. Too much zinc however can actually suppress your immune function so as usual with supplementation, it's all about balance.

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