Sources Of Zinc
Seafood - oysters, herring | |
Meats - beef, lamb, beef and pork liver | |
Nuts/seeds - sunflower, pumpkin | |
Dairy - cheese | |
Grains - wheat germ | |
Miscellaneous - brewer's yeast, maple syrup, bone meal, gluten, tea |
Roles In The Body
- Activator of many key enzymes.
- Growth and development
- Male reproductive system
- Insulin production and secretion
- Prevention of cadmium and copper toxicity
Functions Of Zinc
Circulatory - maintenance of artery walls | |
Respiratory - removal of carbon dioxide and maintenance of acid-base balance | |
Digestive - production of digestive enzymes, and normal liver function | |
Nervous - essential for brain development and neurotransmitters | |
Special senses - appetite regulation, smell and taste | |
Reproductive - testes, ovaries, prostate, male fertility | |
Endocrine - insulin and pituitary gonadotropin secretion | |
Blood - red blood cells and blood proteins | |
Skeletal - bone integrity, prevention of osteoporosis | |
Skin - required for normal integrity of hair, nails, and skin | |
Protective - required for wound healing and integrity of the immune system | |
Metabolic - normal carbohydrate and protein metabolism | |
Detoxification - assists in removing toxic accumulation of cadmium and copper | |
Psychological - powerful mood stabilizer and 'sedative' mineral |
Synergetic Nutrients
magnesium, vitamin A, D, E, B6, high-protein diet
Antagonistic Nutrients
Absorption - copper, cadmium, iron, chromium, manganese, selenium, phytic acid, vegetarian diets, soy, cereals, fiber in diet | |
Metabolic - copper, iron, cadmium |
Hair Analysis Notes
Zinc is considered a "masculine" mineral, because of its importance in the formation of male sexual hormones.
High Hair Zinc:
- An elevated zinc level is commonly due to a loss of zinc from the body tissues. In these cases, zinc supplements will often be recommended.
- Zinc levels may appear high to help compensate for copper toxicity. Thus high zinc can be a tipoff of a hidden copper toxicity.
- Use of Head and Shoulders shampoo occasionally results in an elevated zinc reading.
- Cadmium toxicity can cause a zinc reading to appear high.
Low Hair Zinc:
- Zinc will often read low if the sodium/potassium ratio is less than 2.5:1. In this case, it is not always wise to give much zinc.
- Zinc is commonly low in "fast" oxidizers.
- Very low zinc levels are often associated with emotional instability and with problems of growth and development in children.
This material is for educational purposes only
The preceding statements have not been evaluated by the
Food and Drug Administration
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
The preceding statements have not been evaluated by the
Food and Drug Administration
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Copyright © 2012 -2020