Zinc is a mineral nutrient that is essential in small amounts for the proper growth and repair of bodily tissues. Zinc sulfate is the form of the mineral most readily absorbed by the body when taken internally and most useful to the skin when applied externally.
Background
Zinc is a trace element. Most Americans consume adequate amounts of zinc in their daily diets, although vegetarians, older adults and those people with certain conditions, such as sickle cell anemia, active alcoholism and certain gastrointestinal disorders, may need to ensure their diets contain foods that are good sources of zinc or supplement their diets with zinc sulfate.
In countries where poverty and hunger are prevalent, many children suffer from a deficiency of zinc in their diet. Children in developing countries frequently suffer bouts of diarrhea, which leads to death. According to a 1998 study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and cited by the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, some of these children were given zinc supplements, after which their bouts of diarrhea were shorter and less likely to lead to death.
Effects
Zinc performs many important functions in your body. In fact, zinc is one of a group of catalysts of 100 enzymes. These enzymes affect your immune system function, wound healing, and DNA and protein synthesis, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
Zinc is needed for proper growth and development during pregnancy, childhood and the teen years. Adequate amounts of zinc in your body also contribute to your ability to taste and smell.
Benefits
One of the most popular uses of zinc are in cold treatment and cold prevention medications. The thinking behind these products involves the known need for zinc for adequate immune system response. The zinc in these products is intended to boost your system's immunity, or the ability to fight infection.
People who are prone to canker sores may be urged by their health care provider to increase the zinc intake in their diet or to supplement with zinc sulfate.
The Mayo Clinic reports that "several large, long-term studies" have demonstrated that zinc may aid in the treatment of some forms of arthritis.
The Merck Online Manual states that there is "strong evidence" that supplementing the daily diet with zinc slows the progression of severe atrophic maculopathy in older adults.
Considerations
The window for the appropriate daily dosage of zinc sulfate is narrow. The recommended daily intake for adults, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, is 11 mg per day for males and 8 mg per day for nonpregnant, nonlactating females.
The Merck Manual indicates that zinc toxicity is rare, but taking too large of a daily dose over a period of time will interfere with your body's copper metabolism and should only occur under the close supervision of your health care provider.
Pregnant and lactating women should consult their health care providers before supplementing their diets with zinc.
Sources
Eating a well-balanced diet every day should provide your body with adequate amounts of zinc, providing you don't have a condition that interferes with zinc absorption, storage or use.
Food sources of zinc include oysters, shrimp, red meat, poultry, beans, whole grain foods and dairy products.
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