Zinc and arginine are two nutrients vitally important to the human body. Arginine is one of the 20 amino acids needed by the body for its proper functioning. It is best known for its role in producing urea, which the body uses to flush out unwanted compounds, chemicals, and toxins. Zinc is used to regulate genetic activities, maintain your metabolic rate and blood sugar balance, and it helps in the sexual maturation of young men, according to WHFoods.com. These nutrients can be found in a number of foods.
Animal Products
The best source of zinc among all foods is calf's liver, according to WHFoods.com, with one four-ounce cut of meat providing 72 percent of your daily recommended value of the mineral. Beef tenderloin and lamb loin are two other excellent sources of zinc, followed later by venison and zinc. Arginine is not found in meat in as high concentrations as it is other foods, but it can still be found in worthwhile amounts in chicken, salmon, shrimp, and many types of white fish, including tuna. Eggs are another excellent source of arginine.
Nuts and Seeds
The best source for consuming arginine is in nuts. According to DietaryFiberFood.com, Spanish peanuts and regular peanuts rank as the two foods most concentrated with arginine. Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, pistachio, Brazil nuts and pecans are all excellent sources of arginine. The amino acid can also be found in sunflower seeds, flax seed, lentils and several different types of bean seeds. Zinc is also found in some seeds, including pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and mustard seeds, although animal products are still better places to find the mineral.
Other Foods
Several vegetables are very high in zinc, such as cremini mushrooms and spinach, which both rank as the second- and third-best sources of the mineral, behind calf liver. Cooked summer squash and boiled asparagus are also very high in the nutrient. Arginine is found sporadically in a few different foods, including tofu, whole-grain wheat flour, garlic, onions and chocolate syrup, according to DietaryFiberFood.com.
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