Zinc Mineral - Importance and Function

Zinc is an essential mineral that supports the immune system, wound healing, and normal growth and development.

Zinc FAQ

Is zinc a good nutrient?

Mental health: Zinc may be effective in treating depression, and it may also help to improve cognitive function in people with Alzheimer's disease. Overall, zinc is an important nutrient that plays a number of crucial roles in the human body, and a deficiency of zinc can lead to a number of health problems.

Do you have a zinc deficiency?

There is a certain enzyme that's involved in your perception of smell and taste. It's called carbonic anhydrase 6. This essential enzyme for the sense of taste and smell is zinc-dependent. Big symptoms of a zinc deficiency are actually a loss of the sense of smell and a loss of the sense of taste.

How do I get enough zinc?

Other than the occasional slip, slop, slap, the best way to make sure you’re consuming enough zinc on the daily is to consume foods high in protein, which are often high in zinc content too. RELATED: Why Leah Itsines Believes You Should Ditch Your Diet… For Good

Why is zinc important?

Zinc is essential for cell growth and division, immune function, enzyme reactions, DNA synthesis, and protein production. Research shows that zinc has numerous health benefits. Zinc helps keep your immune system strong. Because it is necessary for immune cell function and cell signaling, a deficiency can lead to a weakened immune response ( 7 ).

Where can I find zinc?

Zinc can be found in zinc supplements or multivitamin supplements and cold remedies that contain zinc. Read more on foods high in zinc. Visit Nutrition Australia for information about healthy eating. Eat for Health uses the Australian dietary guidelines to provide advice about the amount and types of food you need.

What is the composition of natural zinc?

Natural zinc is a mixture of five stable isotopes: 64 Zn (48.6 percent), 66 Zn (27.9 percent), 67 Zn (4.1 percent), 68 Zn (18.8 percent), and 70 Zn (0.6 percent). Zinc, chemical element, a low-melting metal of Group 12 of the periodic table, that is essential to life and is one of the most widely used metals.

What foods contain zinc?

Zinc is naturally found in a wide variety of both plant and animal foods. Foods that don’t naturally contain this mineral, such as breakfast cereals and snack bars, are often fortified with synthetic forms of zinc. You can also take zinc supplements or multi-nutrient supplements that provide zinc.