Zinc is an essential trace element that aids the body in growth and development, according to YoungWomen'sHealth.org. Zinc also supports the immune system, your sense of taste and smell, and protein and DNA synthesis. Zinc is also commonly used to keep the skin healthy and promote wound healing.
Skin Benefits
Zinc supplements are commonly used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne, eczema, dandruff and dermatitis herpetiformis, according to HealthySkinCare.com. Zinc gluconate and zinc sulfate are used to heal blemishes and inflammation due to acne. Zinc also helps regulate the skin's oil-gland activity to decrease acne breakouts, according to HealthySkinCare.com. Zinc pyrithione is an active ingredient in dandruff shampoos, and zinc supplements are used to treat eczema and dermatitis herpetiformis, a chronic skin condition characterized by hives and burning. Zinc is also an effective bug repellent and sunscreen, a treatment for poison ivy and blisters, and it stimulates the transportation of vitamin A from the liver to the skin, according to HealthySkinCare.com.
Wound Healing
Zinc can help speed the healing of wounds. Oral supplements and topical zinc creams are used to treat bed sores, skin ulcers, cold sores, canker sores and burns. They're also used to speed the healing of surgical incisions, according to HealthySkinCare.com. Zinc promotes healing because it helps maintain the integrity and health of the skin and the mucosal membranes, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
Where to Get Zinc
Because zinc is an essential mineral, the body can't make it on its own and instead must get it through diet, according to YoungWomensHealth.org. Oysters are the best source of zinc, but you can also get it through red meat, poultry, dairy products, whole grains, fortified breakfast cereals, beans, legumes and nuts. However, whole grains, cereals and legumes all contain phytates, which inhibit zinc absorption, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. This means that people who rely mainly on plants and grains for their zinc will likely not be getting enough. Zinc supplements can be taken like a daily multivitamin and can be purchased at any health foods store. Some cold lozenges also contain zinc.
How Much You Should Get
The amount of zinc that you needs depends on your age and your gender. Men, for instance, require more zinc than women because semen has a high concentration of zinc, according to the Vegetarian Society. Adult men should get 9.5mg of zinc per day while adult women should get 7mg of zinc per day. Women who are breast-feeding should also get higher levels of zinc because much of it is lost in breast milk. Breast-feeding women should take in up to 13mg of zinc per day, according to the Vegetarian Society.
Zinc Toxicity
Taking in a lot of zinc is good, but taking in too much can be toxic. Zinc toxicity typically occurs after someone has taken in 2g or more of zinc in a day, but it can happen even if less is taken, depending on the person, according to the Vegetarian Society. Symptoms of zinc toxicity include: nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, diarrhea and headaches, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Consult your doctor if you have symptoms of zinc toxicity, because it may be necessary to have your stomach pumped.
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