Zinc is a Trace Mineral, What can it be Good for?
Zinc; what is it Good for? Zinc is a trace mineral, meaning the body needs such a little bit (8 mg a day) to satisfy its needs, what can it possibly be good for?
- It is needed by the T-cells that fight against toxins and virus infected cells.
- Used in the making, storing and release of insulin in the pancreas
- Helps the blood clot therefore helps the body heal
- Used by the body to help digest food and to absorb nutrients therefore it helps with the metabolism. The lack of zinc is sometimes mistaken as a gluten intolerance.
- Taste and smell are enhanced by zinc, I think this is why some people believe it helps with Covid symptoms.
Zinc Deficiencies
Zinc Deficiencies in Women Show Up as:
- a loss of appetite
- changes in taste, smell
- a higher risk of infections
- diarrhoea
- problems with wound healing
- eye and skin lesions (think of the Zincofax™ we put on baby’s bums)
- problems with thinking (this one hasn’t been proven, stay tuned)
- helps immune system, especially prevents pneumonia
Many issues with such a tiny nutrient!
I think of people who refuse to wear masks and the to take the vaccine swore by zinc and vitamins. One place I read, said that zinc helps with taste and smell and one of Covid symptoms is loss of taste and smell. I researched the connection but I couldn’t find much to proven results. There is, however, lots of information going around as a result people are confused. During the two years of Covid the information changed by the day. So many health decisions being made by politicians and not enough by health officials results in mistrust in anything. I believe media as well has added to confusing by fear mongering and picking up on little things to blow things out of proportion
Known as a Trace Mineral
Zinc is a trace mineral meaning you only need a tiny bit. The daily recommendation for this mineral for women is no more than 8 mg. Doctors recommend people depend on a good daily diet to get enough zinc but it would be tricky, I think. A wonderful food like an avocado which contains 0.64 mg. Other great foods that contain zinc are red meat, nuts, chick peas,poultry, oysters, dairy, eggs and legumes. It is so easy to suffer consequences by ingesting too much zinc. Since we (women over 19 years) need eight milligrams, my multivitamins contain only five milligrams therefore I can ingest a whopping three milligrams through food.
Looking at grains and beans, they contain phytic acid. This is the food for the seed when it begins to grow. Phytic acid or phytate binds to to minerals making them inaccessible for the body. Phytic acid is known as a anti-nutrient. There are ways to decrease this risk by soaking, spouting or fermentation. Milling grain works as well but it also removes the goodness of the grain.