The Benefits of Zinc - A Full Guide
Discover the full benefits of zinc for immune health, skin, metabolism and more. This complete guide breaks down all you need to know about this vital mineral.
What Does Zinc Do?
Zinc is an essential nutrient that the human body needs, but the body cannot produce it. Everyone must obtain the appropriate levels of zinc from the foods that they eat. If they discover that they have a zinc deficiency, they need to take a zinc supplement.
The body uses zinc in several ways. For example, more than 300 enzymes need zinc for nerve functioning, digestion and metabolism, but it takes part in many other bodily processes as well. You need zinc so that your immune cells can develop and function properly. You also need zinc to keep your skin healthy, for protein production and DNA synthesis.
Zinc is even important to the growth process because it is responsible for the growth of your cells and division as well. Your senses of smell and taste would not be the same if you did not have sufficient zinc. That is because the enzyme that is most needed to smell and taste properly is dependent on zinc.
What Are the Benefits of Zinc?
Reduces Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress is when you have more free radicals than you have antioxidants. This leads to cell damage, but zinc reduces the amount of oxidative stress. When you have high levels of oxidative stress, you have higher levels of inflammation. This is not good for the body because it leads to mental decline, cancer and heart disease.
Increases the Healing of Wounds
Zinc is the treatment for burns, ulcers and other skin injuries when you are in the hospital. That is because it promotes proper healing by aiding in the inflammatory response, immune function and collagen synthesis. If you have a zinc deficiency, your wounds can heal slowly. However, taking a zinc supplement speeds up the recovery time for people with wounds.
What Are Zinc Benefits for Women?
There are many zinc benefits for wome who are postmenopausal. In a study, the participants were postmenopausal women with low zinc levels. The group who took a zinc supplement experienced several benefits, including reduced pain during intercourse, and increased vaginal moisture, sexual desire, orgasms and satisfaction.
What Are the Benefits of Zinc Supplements?
If you have a zinc deficiency, you will reap the benefits of zinc supplements. Zinc deficiency is not common in the United States, but if you are taking a thiazide diuretic, this medication causes you to lose zinc with urination. Then, a zinc deficiency results, but a zinc supplement would replace lost zinc.
According to research, one of the benefits of zinc supplements is that they may slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Scars and keloids have also been shown to improve with the use of a zinc supplement. If you use it as a sunscreen, it may help prevent skin cancer.
Zinc also promotes anti-inflammatory properties that can improve skin conditions, such as eczema and rosacea. These anti-inflammatory properties also make zinc a positive treatment for acne. Acne occurs when the skin produces too much oil. As a result, the pores become clogged and then inflammation increases. The painful acne lesions come as a result of this inflammation. Studies have also shown that a zinc supplement is an effective treatment for warts.
Americans obtain zinc from several foods, including some dairy products, fortified breakfast cereals, beef, oysters and pumpkin seeds, but sometimes, people can develop a zinc deficiency. When this is the case, you can easily remedy the situation by taking zinc vitamins.