Dorothy FarrarZink
Zinc is a trace element that is essential to human life. It is the second most common trace element in the human body. Since the human body cannot produce the trace element itself, it must be ingested in the necessary quantity with food . Around 2 to 3 g of zinc occur in the body of an adult human.
Why does the body need zinc?
Zinc is part of every cell in the body as well as part of a variety of enzymes . This means that the intake of the vital trace element has an influence on the metabolic processes in the organism, because zinc can slow down or accelerate the metabolic processes.
Zinc is important for cell protection against free radicals and can prevent heavy metal poisoning if taken in sufficient quantities. The trace element is also important for the immune system .
Zinc also fulfills important tasks with regard to hormones . Zinc is involved in the metabolism of various hormones responsible for healthy growth, reproduction, tissues, thyroid function and insulin.
importance to health
Zinc is an essential component for human health as it is also involved in building bones and cell membranes.
Too little intake of the trace element leads to diseases. These include mental illness, inflammation and disorders in the acid-base balance of the blood.
A deficiency leads to hair loss and skin rashes, among other things. Wound healing is also slower if there is a trace element deficiency. The body is more susceptible to infections, prone to allergies, anemia and chronic fatigue. Brittle nails are also conspicuous if the intake of zinc is too low.
A sufficient intake of zinc also ensures that there are no disturbances and delays in growth, sexual development is not disturbed and infertility is prevented. Zinc is also responsible for a healthy sense of smell and taste and works against loss of appetite.
A zinc deficiency can be counteracted by consuming sufficient zinc-rich foods. This is primarily achieved through a varied and healthy diet .
However, a zinc deficiency can occur, for example, as a result of taking medication, radiation and chemotherapy or prolonged diarrhea. Diseases of the liver or kidneys, cancer or chronic infections also lead to deficiency symptoms. There is an increased need for zinc especially during growth, pregnancy, breastfeeding and competitive sports.
Zinc-rich foods
Zinc is found in animal and plant foods. Fish, seafood and offal from veal, beef, pork and chicken contain a particularly high proportion of zinc. When it comes to plant-based foods, products containing oats and wheat should be preferred. They provide the human organism with a higher amount of zinc. Vegetables are generally low in zinc. The only exceptions here are soybeans, green peas and dried lentils.
A large number of nuts and dairy products have a high zinc content. An exception is cow’s milk, in which zinc is only present in small amounts. The types of cheese Emmental, Gouda, Edam, Brie, Gorgonzola and Parmesan, on the other hand, are recommended for a sufficient intake of zinc.
The trace element zinc can optimally fulfill its tasks in the human body in interaction with calcium , phosphorus and vitamin A.
However, only around 10% of the zinc ingested with food is actually used by the body, while around 90% of the amount of zinc ingested is excreted again.
If you don’t have the time for a healthy and balanced diet, then the market has a number of inexpensive and highly concentrated substitutes or dietary supplements ready.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.