What Is Zinc? Do You Need A Supplement?
My patients often ask me what zinc is and if they need to take a supplement. So today, let’s discuss its importance and what your needs may be.
What is zinc?
Zinc is one of the five widely used major “macrominerals” in the human body.
It is essential for growth and development. Severe deficiency can lead to a lack of taste, immune deficiencies, white spots on nails, and even nerve damage. It is necessary for hormone production, specifically testosterone.
Major food sources of zinc include oysters, ginger root, meat, eggs, and seafood.
Many individuals are low in zinc due to leaky gut or malabsorption of nutrients. Lifestyle habits may also be a factor such as drinking coffee or alcohol. And the use of medications like birth control can all lead to depleting zinc levels.
Thankfully at my practice, I have the ability to test zinc levels in my patients. So when their results come back with low levels, I will often suggest to them to take a supplement, at least short term.
If you haven’t had your levels tested and still want more information, let’s discuss further.
The uses of zinc:
1. Wound healing.
Zinc can be used to assist with wound healing. It literally speeds up the healing process. This includes injuries and even things such as acne. I actually will use it in my teenage population for those with terrible acne.
Another import use of zinc in my practice is for the repair of leaky gut (for more on that topic see blog titled Is Leaky Gut Damaging the Foundation of Your Health? Discover the Causes!) Also, research has shown it can actually benefit those with Crohn’s and Colitis.
Our Gut Shield product contains glutamine, N Acetyl D glucosamine, deglycyrrhized licorice, aloe vera, and zinc. It’s a convenient small scooped powder that comes in chocolate and vanilla. It tastes great and can be very important in expediting the recovery process of the gut when patients have food sensitivities.
2. Immune support
Zinc can also be supplemented for general immune support when traveling or if you get a sinus infection or the flu. Because it helps to fight off viruses and bacteria I often recommend it to my patients.
3. Hormone boosting
Zinc is a necessary cofactor in many enzymatic processes in the body. A cofactor is a nonprotein “helper” chemical compound bound to and needed by the protein.
It’s a cofactor or helper in hormone production specifically testosterone. It also can help with the production of growth hormones, thyroid hormones, estrogen, and progesterone.
Another example of how zinc starts helping hormone production is by telling the pituitary gland to release hormones like FSH which tell the ovaries to produce sex hormones.
4. Improving smell and taste
I’ve seen several malnourished individuals in my practice for various reasons including eating disorders who have lost their sense of smell and or taste. So zinc can help to bring back smells and tastes.
What form of Zinc should you take?
Pylori Essentials is formulated to help heal the stomach lining. It contains zinc carnosine (a zinc complex of L-carnosine approved in Japan since 1994 for its use in stomach health),
The form that I typically recommend, is an amino acid chelated form for best absorption. Most noteworthy is, all of our Your Longevity Blueprint minerals are amino acid chelates.
Our zinc product is called Zinc Chelate and it is a bis-glycinate chelate form.
Typical dosage:
The recommended starting dosage is 10-25 mg/day. Taking too much zinc can deplete copper. For this reason, if taken long-term zinc needs to be balanced with copper at a ratio of 10:1 meaning for every 20 mg zinc, you will need to also take 2 mg copper. Our product is a much higher dosage and thus should be used short-term and balanced with copper.
Even more information can be found about the power of zinc in chapters 1 and 4 of my book Your Longevity Blueprint!
In summary, If you haven’t had your zinc levels tested, let’s help you decide if it’s needed. Check out my video to learn more!
Wellness is waiting, are you ready?
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*Always share with your medical provider what supplements you are taking*
*Always share with your medical provider what supplements you are taking*
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