How Zinc Mineral Works?
How does the mineral zinc work, what is it, which foods and recommended quantity to use?
Zinc is a fundamental mineral for health, as it participates in the activity of more than 300 enzymes and acts in the formation of proteins, maintaining the functions of the brain and the immune system, in addition to improving wound healing.
The main sources of zinc are foods of animal origin, such as oysters, beef and offal, such as liver and heart. This mineral is also present in foods of plant origin, such as whole grains, legumes and oilseeds.
Situations such as pregnancy, Crohn’s disease or bariatric surgery that can cause zinc deficiency in the body. In these cases, the use of supplements such as chelated zinc or zinc oxide may be recommended by a doctor or nutritionist.
But what is it for?
1. Strengthens the immune system
Because it participates in the development and maintenance of the functions of interleukins, macrophages and T and B lymphocytes, cells that protect the body against diseases caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi.**See more about Fungi.
2. Helps prevent diabetes.
Zinc participates in the production, storage and release of insulin in the body, a hormone responsible for balancing blood glucose levels, helping to prevent insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Watch the video about glucose levels.
3. Improves healing
Because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, zinc improves the healing of surgical wounds and diabetic foot, small wounds and ulcers that can appear on the feet of people with uncontrolled diabetes and that can cause infections. Understand better what diabetic foot is.
In addition, zinc also improves healing because it participates in the production and improves the adhesion of collagen in the skin, which is a protein responsible for ensuring firmness and giving elasticity to the skin.
4. Maintains skin health
Zinc maintains skin health because it combats excess free radicals in the body, which are responsible for damaging healthy skin cells, preventing premature aging.
In addition, zinc participates in the production of collagen, preventing the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin. Watch a video about Collagen
5. Promotes increased muscle mass
Zinc participates in the production of testosterone, the hormone that stimulates performance and physical strength, promoting the maintenance or increase of muscle mass in men and women.
6. Improves memory
Zinc participates in the maintenance of cognitive functions, in addition to protecting the cells of the nervous system against free radicals, improving memory, attention, focus and the learning process.**Watch more about Memory here >>
7. Helps in the treatment of acne
Because it has anti-inflammatory and healing properties, zinc helps in the treatment and healing of acne. Therefore, this mineral can be recommended, in the form of a supplement, to complement the treatment of acne.
8. Helps with baby development
Zinc is a nutrient used by the body during rapid growth phases, and is important for the formation and development of the baby during pregnancy, as well as for the growth of children and adolescents.
9. Strengthens hair
Zinc has a structural function for the growth, development and repair of hair strands, strengthening and preventing hair loss. See other supplements that help grow and strengthen hair.
Where to find it
Zinc can be found naturally in foods or consumed in the form of supplements.
1. Foods rich in zinc
Foods rich in zinc are mainly those of animal origin, such as beef, seafood, oysters and organ meats, such as liver and heart. In addition, some foods of plant origin that also contain zinc are oilseeds, whole grains and legumes. Check out a list of foods rich in zinc.
2. Supplement
Zinc supplements are recommended for treating childhood diarrhea, strengthening the immune system, treating macular degeneration and deficiency of this mineral, such as in the case of people with low intake of foods that are sources of zinc, after bariatric surgery or with inflammatory bowel disease.
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