The Benefits of Zinc

With the many vitamins and minerals available in supplements, it’s hard to know what you really need to maintain your health. Zinc is a mineral that is vital to healthy living. Even a small zinc deficiency can cause health problems, including decreased immunity to diseases such as the common cold.

Zinc is probably most widely known for its ability to prevent colds and shorten the duration of colds. This is because of zinc’s powerful ability to strengthen the immune system and improve white blood cell count. Zinc has even been able to help AIDS patients increase their immunity. Zinc is necessary for the function of many enzymes in the body. Zinc aids in regulating hormones, and it has shown to help maintain prostate health and even increase fertility. Zinc can help prevent and heal cold sores. Zinc aids in the body’s absorption of minerals, which means it can help prevent osteoporosis by helping the body absorb calcium. Zinc can improve the health of your skin and hair. The anti-inflammatory benefits of zinc can also help reduce the appearance of acne. Zinc has also been shown to help heal ulcers, and it can help you maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Before starting a zinc supplement, be sure to talk to your doctor about how much you need to take. It is possible to take too much zinc, which can have adverse affects on your health. Zinc inhibits the body’s absorption of copper, another important mineral, so it is important to make sure you are taking in enough copper if you are taking a zinc supplement. Alzheimer’s and diabetes patients should avoid taking zinc supplements.