Zinc
An Element to be exposed to

Zinc (Zn) is a powerful healer found throughout the whole body, 90% of our zinc content being located in muscles and bones. Many of us recognize zinc as being useful in fighting colds and infections, but it doesn’t end there. It just gets much more exciting! Recently zinc supplementation was shown to reduce atherosclerotic lesion developments, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. It’s also invaluable in pregnancy, providing protection for the foetus from congenital abnormalities and pre-term delivery. Alcoholics are often zinc deficient as are elderly people with a poor diet. Zinc in the mouth helps oral ulcers and application to the skin improves healing from acne. If you suffer from a vision-related condition, are obese, are diabetic or have been on the oral contraceptive pill for a long period, then chances are you are low in this mineral too!

In clinic I consistently find that patients are low in zinc without knowing much about it or what it does. So the purpose of this article is to inform and inspire better health through knowledge. Perhaps you will relate to the symptoms of zinc deficiency, or just make better decisions about which zinc supplement you are now using. Do we all need a zinc supplement? No. However, if the symptoms below resonate with you, then it’s worthwhile having a zinc assessment. If treated with zinc, you usually feel the effects within days. Most natural medicine practitioners test your zinc status as part of an initial consultation.

Zinc is considered one of the major minerals in the human body, and deficiencies commonly occur with malnutrition. In third world countries, zinc deficiency is the 5th leading cause of disease in children. In first world countries the main cause of low zinc status is a lack of bio-available zinc in the diet. Zinc bio-availability in the Australian diet is considered to be medium to low by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. We can do better than this. In short here are some of the things zinc does for us:

Zinc was the 8th metal to be identified by man. It is bluish-silver in colour and has a long history of use, being used to make brass and to heal wounds including eye wounds in Roman times around 20 A.D. Even earlier, in the East, it was included in an ancient Indian medicinal text as early as 300 B.C. It was imported into the west from the Orient and in the 1500s the term ‘zink’ was created by Paracelsus, referring to the tooth-like projections on zinc crystals when smelted. Although there are numerous figures in history who are associated with the name zinc and it’s variations. The name stuck. In 1743 the first zinc smelter was built in Bristol, England.

Paracelsus

If you’re wondering about your zinc status now, these are common deficiency signs that indicate you would need zinc. However, it’s best to have a status assessment done first before beginning oral supplementation.

Symptoms of zinc deficiency include:
o loss of taste
o poor wound healing ability, slow healing
o hair loss
o white spots on nails
o low libido and poor sperm count
o skin conditions such as dry flaky skin or acne
o poor resistance to infections

If you fit into any of these categories you are more prone to zinc deficiency:
o children
o vegans
o alcoholics
o obese
o diabetics
o elderly with poor nutrition in the diet

If you find that you are zinc deficient you will need a good supplement. Products that contain synergistic ingredients (i.e they help you to absorb the zinc content better) as well as a good bio-available form of the mineral will give you the best value for money. Common synergistic ingredients include ascorbic acid, picolinic acid and vitamin B6. For best results take zinc in the Picolinate form, otherwise the amino acid chelate form will suffice. If you are taking zinc as a lozenge, it will be in the gluconate form.

Herbally zinc can be found in a number of herbs, but especially in alfala and stinging nettle, and these are highly recommended herbs to drink as a tea in pregnancy. Not only do they contain zinc, but they are nutrient rich and can offer vitamins A,C,K and other minerals to support foetal development and mothers well being. Herbs containing zinc include fennel, alfalfa, stinging nettle, sage, parsley, chamomile, hops and chickweed.

Zinc can be found in a variety of foods, but most highly in oysters. Always a good choice for men wanting to boost their fertility potentials! If you eat a variety of foods and a good deal of grains and meats, then you will be getting adequate amounts of zinc from your diet. See the list of food sources for guidance.

Food sources of zinc            mg Zinc/100gm
oysters                                      59.2
wheat germ                            17.0
wheat bran                             16.2
liver                                            15.9
beef steak                                9.5
pumpkin seeds                        6.6
pine nuts                                    6.5

Other sources of zinc include minced beef and animal proteins (minimal amounts in tofu), whole grains, nuts, seeds, oat bran, anchovies and crab meat.

Cautions
o Substances that reduce zinc status or compete with zinc for absorption will be hindering your healing, so bear this in mind if you are taking other medicines or supplements at the same time. Such substances include phytates, oxalates, calcium, copper, lead and cadmium.

o Cautions: a dose of more than 50mg elemental zinc may cause headache, compromise copper levels and nausea. Do not take on an empty stomach. Do not take zinc long term, do so under the guidance of your therapist.