Zinc is an essential trace element required in small amount for human health and growth. Zinc is essential because it cannot be produced or stored in the body, thus must Be taken in through diet or as supplement. Zinc is required also as cofactor for more than 300 different enzymes that is, zinc is necessary for their functioning. Zinc is much needed for immune system functioning, help in wound healing, blood clotting, maintaining good vision, acne treatment and lot more that zinc has been proven to be effective for.
Furthermore, in the mode of action and how zinc influences our body’s overall health;
- Immune System Functioning
Immunity defines a person susceptibility to certain illness and diseases, the immune system is weak in little children( cause it’s just developing) while it is weaker in elderly ( for the factor of age). Meanwhile, a susceptible individual can be attacked by various kinds of infections thus there a need for boosting the immune system not only in immune deficient individuals but all humans for proper functioning. Zinc is a good immune booster and also help fight inflammation, meaning it can help treat certain types of infections if used when their symptoms appears. Zinc act as an antioxidant reducing inflammation and protection against chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes. To help prevent diseases, you need a strong immune system, and for strong immune system; there is need to add zinc as part your daily nutritional requirements.
- Wound Healing and Injury Recovery
Zinc plays an important role in maintenance of healthy skin, zinc promotes collagen production. From studies , zinc has been shown to play a key part in every stage of wound healing, from skin repair to preventing infections. Low zinc level in the body is often characterized by prolonged wound or ulcer persistence.
- Slows Macular Degeneration
Age related macular degeneration is a common eye disease and one of the leading cause of vision loss in the world. Zinc is often used to slow down the progression of age-related macular degeneration and help protect against vision loss and blindness. There has been claims that taking required amount of Zinc daily slows down the progression of AMD.
- Zinc is effective against acne
Acne is a very common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles plug with oil and dead skin cell, can be bacteria induced. It is a very common in small children and young adults more, can be so irritating , characterized with red dots on the skin, papules, large solid and painful pumps under the skin, most times filled with pus. Due to its anti inflammatory property, zinc can decrease the average amount of inflammatory bumps caused by the condition. Zinc supplements are effective, inexpensive and fewer side effect in treatment of acne.
- Overall Heart Health
The leading cause of death worldwide is heart disease. Why is this happening? Well, the heart design is so delicate and responsible for so many system/organs to function in the body, the fuel that activate the body functioning parts is the blood which is pumped from the heart, thus if not taken adequate and proper care of, the effects can be disastrous. When it comes to heart health, prevention of diseases is truly better than cure.
Research has shown that zinc improves several risk factors for heart diseases. Zinc can in fact lower the level of triglyceride and cholesterol. Zinc supplement decrease level of total low density lipoprotein ( bad cholesterol) and reduce systolic blood pressure level.
- Symptoms of zinc deficiency
Symptoms of zinc deficiency can be noticed if the following conditions are observed in an individual:
Impaired growth and delayed puberty
Hair loss and distorted nails
Diarrhea
Erectile dysfunction
Swollen tongue
Reduced immunity
- Higher risk
People with gastrointestinal issues, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, because zinc can be lost through the gastrointestinal tract
Men for prevention of prostrate inflammation
People with sickle cell disease, because they may require more zinc
Vegetarians, because they miss out on zinc-rich meal
Pregnant women, because the growing baby requires extra zinc
Alcoholics, because they have a decreased ability to absorb the zinc nutrient and are liable to passing it out often.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I believe this piece has been able to give you some insight about zinc and how well they influence the body’s overall health. It is very better to be healthy than to treat sickness, zinc supplement is readily available for you .