| Zinc
Description
Zinc is an essential trace mineral occurring in the body
in larger amounts than any other trace element except iron.
It is present in all tissues. The human body contains approximately
2 to 3 grams of zinc.
Zinc is known for its ability to fight disease and to protect
the immune system. It is involved in the Krebs cycle and
energy production. More recently, blindness in the elderly
has been found to be arrested by zinc. It is also credited
with increasing male sex drive and potency because of its
ability to regulate testosterone in the prostate.
Zinc has a variety of functions. It is related to the normal
absorption and action of vitamins, especially the B complex.
It is a constituent of at least 200 enzymes involved in
digestion and metabolism, including carbonic anhydrase,
which is necessary for tissue respiration. Some of the enzymes
are involved in alcohol detoxification, bone metabolism,
protein digestion and RNA synthesis electron transport,
and aerobic and anaerobic energy production.
Zinc is a component of insulin, and it is part of the enzyme
that is needed to break down alcohol. It also plays a part
in carbohydrate digestion and phosphorus metabolism. In
addition, it is essential in the synthesis of nucleic acid,
which controls the formation of different proteins in the
cell. Zinc is essential for general growth and proper development
of the reproductive organs and for normal functioning of
the prostate gland.
Recent medical finding indicate that zinc is important in
healing wounds and burns. It may also be required I the
synthesis of DNA, which is the master substance of life,
carrying all inherited traits and directing the activity
of each cell.
Soil exhaustion and the processing of food adversely affect
the zinc value of the food we eat. The best sources of all
trace elements in proper balance are natural unprocessed
foods. Diets high in protein, whole grain products, brewer’s
yeast, wheat bran, wheat germ, and pumpkin seed are usually
high in zinc.
ABSORPTION AND STORAGE
Zinc is readily absorbed in the upper small intestine. Uptake
is only as much as the body need at the time (40 to 50%);
the rest is unabsorbed. Absorption is lessened when large
amounts of calcium are taken. Too much fiber will not allow
zinc to be used because it binds and carries zinc away before
it can be accepted by the absorption sites.
The major route of excretion is through the gastrointestinal
tract through feces: little is lost in the urine. The largest
storage of zinc occurs in the liver, pancreas, kidney, bones
and voluntary muscles. Zinc is also stored in parts of the
eyes, prostate gland and spermatozoa, skin, hair, fingernails,
and toenails as well as being present in the white blood
cells.
A high intake of calcium and phytic acid, found in certain
grains, may prevent absorption of zinc. If the intake of
calcium and phytic acid is higher, zinc consumption should
be increased.
DOSAGE AND TOXICITY
The National Research Council recommends a daily dietary
intake of 15 milligrams of zinc for adult males and 12 milligrams
for adult females. An additional 15 milligrams is recommended
during pregnancy, and an additional 25 milligrams is recommended
during lactation. The average “good” diet may
yield only 8 to 11 milligrams of zinc per day.
Older patients have been given 660 milligrams of zinc sulfate
per day with minimal side effects. Some experienced diarrhea.
Nausea and vomiting are also symptoms of zinc overdose,
requiring a reduction in the amount taken.
High intakes of zinc interfere with copper utilization,
causing incomplete iron metabolism. Excessive intake of
zinc may result in a loss of iron and copper from the liver.
When zinc is added to the diet, vitamin A is also needed
in larger amounts.
DEFICIENCY EFFECTS AND SYMPTOMS
The most common cause of zinc deficiency is an unbalanced
diet, although other factors may also be responsible. For
example, the consumption of alcohol may precipitate a deficiency
by flushing stored zinc out of the liver and into the urine.
Zinc deficiency is also a factor in strenuous exercise,
stress, fatigue, susceptibility to infection, and decreased
alertness.
Zinc deficiency can cause retarded growth, delayed sexual
maturity, and prolonged healing of wounds. Stretch marks
in the skin and white spots in the fingernails may be signs
of a zinc deficiency. Brittle nails and hair and hair lacking
pigment, irregular menstrual cycles in teen women, impotence
in young males, and painful knee and hip joints in teenagers
are also indication of a zinc deficiency.
Chronic zinc depletion can predispose body cells to cancer.
Cadmium, a toxic mineral, also plays an important role in
zinc deficiencies. High intakes of cadmium will accentuate
the signs of a zinc deficiency, and the cadmium will be
stored in the body in the absence of zinc. This creates
a detrimental situation that can be reversed by increasing
the consumption of zinc.
Chelating compounds used to remove excess copper from the
body also leach out zinc, which then must be replaced.
Recent studies demonstrate conclusively that zinc deficiency
causes sterility and dwarfism in humans. The deficiency
leads to unhealthy changes in the size and structure of
the prostate gland, which contains more zinc than any other
part of the human anatomy. In prostate problems, particularly
prostate cancer, the levels of zinc in the prostate gland
decline.
James A Halsytead and J. Cecil Smith, Jr., of the Trace
Element Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, have made interesting
studies on zinc. They found low zinc levels in the blood
plasma of people suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis, other
types of liver disease, ulcers, heart attacks, mongolism
and cystic fibrosis, contraceptives also had low levels
of zinc in their blood plasma. Nausea associated with pregnancy
may be a result of too low levels of zinc and vitamin b6.
Zinc deficient pregnant rats had many stillborn or birth
defective babies: also many offspring were mentally retarded
or slow learners.
Excessive zinc excretion occurs in leukemia and Hodgkin’s
disease, but the cause of this are unknown. A zinc deficiency
is characterized by abnormal fatigue and may cause a loss
of normal taste sensitivity, poor appetite, and suboptimal
growth. The zinc deficient patient has poor circulation
and a tendency to faint: therefore care must be taken in
anesthetic and operative situations. These people can be
prone to shock, excessive bleeding, and delayed wound healing.
BENEFICIAL EFFECT ON AILMENTS
Zinc may play a role in cancer prevention. Supplementation
helps to maintain a healthy immune system, which will benefit
the aging process. T-helper lymphocytes, which fight infection,
are increased with zinc and are of a particular interest
to the arteries. Zinc supplements given in therapeutic doses
will speed up the rate at which the body heals certain external
wounds and injuries.
Zinc is beneficial in the prevention and treatment of infertility.
It also helps in the proper growth and maturity of sex organs,
in resistance to infection, improved night vision, and reduced
body odor.
The administration of zinc may benefit patients suffering
from Hodgkin’s disease and leukemia. It also is used
in treatment of cirrhosis of the liver and alcoholism.
Zinc is beneficial to the diabetic because of its regulatory
affect on insulin in the blood. It has been found that the
addition of zinc to insulin prolongs it effect on blood
sugar. A diabetic pancreas contains only about half as much
zinc as does a healthy one.
ZINC MAY BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE FOLLOWING AILMENTS:
| |
|
| Body Member: |
Ailment |
| Blood/Circulatory
system: |
Arteriosclerosis
Atherosclerosis
Cholesterol level
highDiabetes |
| Brain/Nervous
system: |
Alcoholism
Schizophrenia |
| Eye: |
Night blindness |
| Glands: |
Prostatitis |
| Heart: |
Arteriosclerosis
Atherosclerosis |
| Joints: |
Rheumatoid arthritis |
| Reproductive
system: |
Impotency
Menstruation
Prostatitis
Retarded sexual activity |
| Skin: |
Acne
Burns
Dermatitis
Eczema
Wounds |
| General: |
Alcoholism
Pregnancy
Retarded growth
Ulcers |
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