Health benefits of zinc

Zinc (Zn) is a transition metal belonging to group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc has substantial biological importance for plants and animals as an essential trace element.
Zinc is responsible for a number of different functions in the human body. It is important in pregnancy, childhood and adolescents and it helps stimulate the activity of 100 different enzymes.
Having a low level of zinc makes a person more susceptible to disease and illness.
Zinc is important for healthy immune system. The human body needs zinc to activate T lymphocytes (T cells). T cells help the body in two ways: controlling and regulating immune responses and attacking infected or cancerous cells.
Zinc can also be used to treat diarrhea in children. A 10-day course of zinc tablets is effective at treating diarrhea and also helps prevent future bouts of the condition.
Zinc affect learning and memory. Research conducted at the University of Toronto revealed that zinc has a crucial role in regulating how neurons communicate with one another, affecting how memories are formed and how we learn.
Zinc treatments may improve the body’s natural levels of testosterone. Studies are still being performed to provide conclusive evidence on the efficacy of natural supplements to relieve Erectile dysfunction symptoms.
Zinc is also used in treating common cold. Zinc lozenges were found to shorten the duration of common cold episodes by up to 40%. In addition, a Cochrane review concluded that taking "zinc (lozenges or syrup) is beneficial in reducing the duration and severity of the common cold in healthy people, when taken within 24 hours of onset of symptoms."
Zinc may help protect the skin and mucosal membranes. Topical zinc
may stimulate leg ulcer healing by enhancing re-epithelialization, decreasing inflammation and bacterial growth. When zinc is applied on wounds it not only corrects a local zinc deficit but also
acts pharmacologically.
Zinc is also possibly effective for the treatment of Acne, Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ), Osteoporosis(abnormal loss of bony tissue resulting in fragile porous bones attributable to a lack of calcium) and Preventing and treating pneumonia.
The element is naturally found in a number of different foods, but it is also available as a dietary supplement. Foods with the highest Zinc content are Oysters, Toasted Wheat Germ, Roast Beef, Crab, Pork loin, Baked beans, Lobster, Dark chocolate, Peanuts and Crab.
Zinc supplements are available in the form of capsules and tablets and also present in multivitamins as zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate, or zinc acetate. However, The Tolerable Upper Limit for zinc is 40mg for males and females over 18 years.
Certain groups of people are more likely to have low zinc, including those with gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, cancer, liver disease, sickle cell disease, malabsorption and very low food intake, and
alcoholics. Some medications can also reduce zinc levels. These
include ACE inhibitors, thiazide diuretics, and stomach acid reducers (ranitidine, omeprazole, sodium bicarbonate). Signs of zinc deficiency include: loss of appetite, anemia, slow wound healing, abnormal taste, depressed growth,altered cognition, diarrhea, hair loss.
Zinc distributes all over the body, so it’s difficult to test through a blood test. If you suspect that you might have a zinc deficiency, talk with your doctor.