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PROMOTES Accurate Replication of Genetic Code Normal Cellular Division Normal Growth and Development Normal Hormone Function Energy Production Normal Insulin Production Thyroid Function Vitamin A Utilization Immune Health Anti-Inflammatory Effect Wound Healing Skin and Hair Health Prostate Health Reproductive Health
PROTECTS AGAINST Fatigue Infection Sore Throats Joint Ache Impotence Brittle Hair and Nails White Spots in Nails Weak Immune Barrier in Intestines Diminished Antioxidant Enzymes
The RDA for Zinc for Adults is a minimum of 12 to 19 mg a day. Suggested daily supplementation is 30 mg.
Overview Most frequently found to be a gray color, this transition metal, zinc, was known for it's metallurgical properties in ancient Asia and early Europe. It is number 30 on the atomic periodic table. It is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in numerous biochemical processes.
Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. The highest amounts of zinc found in the human body are distributed in the tissue of the kidneys, liver and pancreas as well as the musculoskeletal system. It is also found in the eye, skin, hair, nails, the prostate gland and sperm.
Many symptoms could be the signal of zinc deficiency. The level of depletion determines not only the severity of symptoms but which systems in the body will suffer adverse effects. This is the result of the extensive range of biological activities dependent on zinc.
Zinc deficiency may be associated with acne, anomalies of the skin nails and hair (dandruff, hair loss), anorexia, depression, frequent infections, joint pain, menstrual disturbance secondary to ovulatory delays, night blindness and other sensory deficits in smell and taste, and nystagmus (involuntary eye movements). Lifelong depletion and deficiency can cause dwarfism, hypogonadism, and sexual immaturity.
Zinc deficiency in pregnancy, a time of greater need for zinc, can cause birth defects and low weights in neonates. Maternal stretch marks may be more enhanced with zinc deficiency.
Many patients with the chronic diseases of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 have been found to be zinc deficient. HIV depletes it. So does smoking.
It is a commonly held view that many Americans are somewhat zinc deficient. This is because the standard American diet (SAD) is low in zinc as food processing removes it
Some antihypertensive medications, diuretics, hormones, steroids and gastric acid drugs (H2 blockers). Also some of the HIV antiretroviral therapeutics.
See DRUG DEPLETION TABLE for specific drug information.
Heat does not destroy zinc. Food processing or "refining" does remove zinc.
Highest: -Oysters** -Red Meat (Beef, Lamb) -Ginger Root -Splint Peas (dry) -Egg Yolk
Lower: -Other Shell Fish (Clams, Shrimp) -Lima Beans -Soy Lecithin -Sardines -Chicken -Anchovies -Tuna -Pork -Haddock -Raw Milk -Potatoes -Garlic -Grape juice -Olive Oil
Zinc is not absorbable from whole grains, legumes and nuts because of its binding with phytic acid.
None known.
Zinc's most profound function in the body is it's role in genetic expression and cellular division. It is necessary for protein and DNA/RNA synthesis. It is therefore necessary for normal growth and development.
It is important in the functioning as a component of many enzymes with a wide array of activities. It assists in numerous hormone activities. It is critical to immune function.
Zinc Containing Enzymes: Cytochrome C is key in energy production with it's role in electron transportation. Carbonic anhydrase assists in the elimination of carbon dioxide and maintains the balance between carbon dioxide and oxygen. Carboxypeptidase is needed for the proteins in the gastrointestinal tract to be broken down and ready for absorption into the bloodstream. Bone metabolism requires inorganic phosphates that are freed up by alkaline phosphates.
Hormones and Zinc: Zinc is a factor in insulin production. It does not have influence on the activity of insulin. The prompting sequence that starts the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3) is dependent on zinc. Growth hormones rely on zinc.
Other Actions: Zinc regulates the release of vitamin A from liver stores to maintain availability of adequate levels. It also regulates the activity of T lymphocytes, natural killer cells and interleukin 2, critical components of the immune system. It is necessary for some sensory perceptions such as salt-taste perception and dark adaptation in night vision. Zinc has anti-inflammatory effects and should be supplemented if deficient in all patients with inflammatory states or diseases. Zinc facilitates wound healing, particularly, burns. It is important for prostate health and preventing benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate that cause urinary flow difficulties. Zinc is critical to fertility, not only for it's role on sperm production but also in ovulation.
Zinc supplementation may prolong the lives of those suffering with cataracts and age related macular degeneration (AMD). An ongoing study called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), reported in a 2004 issue of the ARCHIVES OF OPHTHALMOLOGY, enrolled 4,757 persons with a median age of 69, and randomized them into groups, one of which was given zinc with antioxidants, Zinc oxide 80mg, Cupric oxide 2mg, vitamin C 500mg, vitamin E 400iu, B-carotene 15mg. The other randomizations were Zinc with Cupric oxide 2mg, the antioxidants alone, or placebo. Of the total, 4,753 had follow up data for mortality. The Zinc with antioxidants and then the zinc group alone had slowing of the progression of the eye disease and a reduction on mortality over a 6.25 year period of time.
Zinc can leach into water supplies when laying in galvanized pipes of older plumbing systems thus becoming a source of zinc. Modern plumbing has eliminated this source.
Galvanized cookware could be a possible source for zinc when acidic foods are cooked.
1989 Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) National Academy of Sciences
AGE (YRS) AMOUNT in milligrams
Infants 0.0-0.5: 5 0.5-1.0: 5
Children 1-3: 10 4-6: 10 7-10: 10
Males 11-14: 15 15-18: 15 19-24: 15 25-50: 15 51+: 15
Females 11-14: 12 15-18: 12 19-24: 12 25-50; 12 51+: 12
Pregnant: 15
Lactating 1st 6 mos.: 19 2nd 6 mos.: 16
There are no DRI's as of 2005.
Zinc toxicity is rare. Ingesting large quantities (>80mg a day) can induce copper deficiency if sustained more than a few weeks. Symptoms would include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, lethargy and muscle fatigue. Zinc levels in the body that are too high can depress immune function, interestingly so can levels that are too low.
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