IS ZINC SAVING THE WORLD?

Is zinc one of the most important minerals to have in your diet in 2020?

You’ll want to eat a lot more zinc-rich foods by the time you find out everything it can do for you!

Zinc is one of those minerals that doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves.

Some minerals get more time in the spotlight because of how important they are—such as iron for your red blood cells or calcium for your bones.

But, as you’ll soon see, all micronutrients are vital because of what they can do for you. 

Zinc is a mineral that you don’t hear too much about until your body is deficient. That’s when you start noticing problem signs that highlight just how important it is for you to get more zinc.

Below, we’re going to take a look at everything zinc does for you, then help you find ways to get more zinc in your diet so you can have enough of this critical micronutrient to be truly healthy!

What Zinc Does for Your Body

It’s funny how few of us really hear much about zinc, yet it’s actually the second most abundant nutrient in our bodies (after iron). It plays a role in our immune function, gene expression, the synthesis of protein, wound healing, and so much more!

Let’s take a closer look at just what zinc can do for you:

Raise Your Immune System – Zinc is needed for cell signaling and immune cell function, and it can help to reduce oxidative stress. It’s one of the most important nutrients for a healthy immune system, and a zinc deficiency can lead to compromised immunity and a weakened resistance. Not only can it help to eliminate colds, but it can reduce infection risk and raise your body’s defenses against all sorts of diseases and illnesses!

Anti-Inflammatory – Zinc is very useful for combating free radicals in your body, which are known to cause oxidative damage. Not only can the mineral protect your body from oxidative damage, but it can actually help to decrease the levels of inflammatory proteins in your bloodstream. Zinc can lower the inflammatory markers that have been linked with chronic disease, mental decline, and cancer.

Fight Age-Related Disease – Age-related diseases like macular degeneration, infection, and pneumonia can all be significantly reduced with enough zinc in your body. Not only does zinc kill off free radicals that cause oxidative stress, but it can raise your body’s natural response to infection. Zinc supplements can drastically decrease infection rates among older adults, keeping them healthier more effectively well into their later years.

Speed Up Wound Healing – Zinc is often used in hospitals to treat skin injuries like cuts, burns, and diabetic ulcers because it is vital for the process of synthesizing collagen, the protein that forms the building block of your skin cells. Zinc deficiency can lead to slower wound healing times, but getting more zinc in your diet can help to accelerate recovery times. 

Treat Acne – That’s right, zinc may be a highly effective treatment to help you manage acne! Zinc can help to reduce inflammation in your skin, suppress the activity of your skin oil glands, and stop the growth of the P. acne bacteria that is responsible for the formation of zits. People suffering from acne often exhibit lower-than-normal zinc levels, but taking more zinc supplements can be an amazing way to reduce your risk of developing acne.

All pretty awesome benefits, and good reasons to get more zinc in your diet!

What Happens If You Don’t Get Enough Zinc?

We’ve looked at why you need zinc, but it’s time to examine the downsides of a zinc deficiency. When you don’t get enough zinc, your body starts to experience a number of serious problems:

Some of the most common symptoms of zinc deficiency include:

Chronic diarrhea

Skin rashes

Impaired wound healing

Behavioral issues

Reduced immune function

Delayed sexual maturity

Impaired development and growth

Thinning hair

Mood disturbances

Decreased appetite

Dry skin

Fertility problems

You’d be surprised by how many people suffer from zinc deficiency! In fact, some experts believe that up to 2 billion people around the world don’t get enough zinc in their diets, which can lead to the above-listed problems. It’s believed that up to 450,000 children under 5 die every year at least partially because of a lack of zinc.

Pretty scary, right? As you can see, it’s definitely a good idea to get more zinc in your diet!

How to Get More Zinc in Your Diet

You’ll be happy to know that there are lots of foods that will give you zinc, often in very high quantities. Here is a list of the best foods to eat for more zinc intake:

Shellfish, including clams, oysters, lobster, crab, and mussels

Poultry, including chicken and turkey

Red meat, including bison, lamb, beef, and pork

Fish, including sole, sardines, flounder, and salmon

Nuts and seeds, particularly pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and cashews

Legumes, including kidney beans, black beans, lentils, and chickpeas

Dairy products, including cheese, eggs, yoghurt, and milk

Whole grains, including brown rice, quinoa, and oats

Vegetables, including beet greens, mushrooms, asparagus, kale, and peas

These are all zinc-rich foods that will help increase the amount of this micronutrient you get naturally.

But if you’re worried that you’re not getting enough zinc in your diet, it may be a good idea to add a zinc supplement to your daily routine.

A good zinc supplement will provide you with the recommended daily intake of 11 mg for adult men or 8 mg for adult women. It will be safe, formulated with high-quality ingredients, and deliver the micronutrient you need.

Pure Immunity is one such supplement. It includes zinc among its list of ingredients, providing you with a daily dose of this mineral in a quantity your body can both easily absorb and put to good use safely. You’ll find that it’s an easy, delicious way to get more zinc in your diet, making sure you’ve got the best possible chance of being healthy and preventing zinc deficiencies.