Zinc, a trace mineral found in foods, helps to protect the cell membranes and helps damaged cells to regenerate. Certain foods such as meat and fish contain the trace mineral zinc. Zinc also can help with wound healing and other skin problems.
Foods Containing Zinc
Zinc is in meat such as turkey, chicken, pork and beef, as well as fish and seafood such as lobster, crab, clams, mussels, shrimp and salmon. If you suffer from gout, talk to your physician before adding seafood to your diet. Crustaceans such as lobster contain high amounts of uric acid that can cause gout symptoms such as pain and inflammation in your joints.
Zinc Supplements
The dose of an oral supplement of zinc varies from 9 mg to 150 mg or 220 mg. If your doctor recommends zinc as a supplement to make up for a deficiency of the mineral, you may take a daily dose between 5 mg and 19 mg, according to the Mayo Clinic website. Physicians recommend against taking high doses of zinc for a long time. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that large zinc doses can decrease your body's natural immunity and alter your cholesterol, raising your low-density lipoproteins, or bad cholesterol, while dropping you high-density lipoproteins, or good cholesterol. Before starting an oral supplement of zinc, talk to your doctor.
Interactions
Zinc may interfere with the absorption of certain antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. The mineral also may cause problems with your body's absorption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, as well as copper and vitamin A. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that a type of potassium-sparing diuretic medicine called amiloride can make your body raise your zinc levels, so you should not take zinc supplements while on this medication. Another type of anti-hypertensive medicine known as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors, can drop your zinc levels. ACE inhibitors include lisinopril, quinapril, trandolapril and ramipril, among others.
Benefits
Zinc produces antioxidant effects that can protect your blood cells from damage, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Free radicals produced by damaged cells in your body may cause diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Zinc and other antioxidants help prevent free radicals from occurring in your body and damaging your cells.
Side Effects
Side effects of the mineral zinc when taken as a supplement can include diarrhea, mouth sores, nausea and vomiting, and throat irritation. Discuss any side effects with your doctor.
Healing Influences
Zinc can help wounds in your body to heal, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. Zinc has a positive effect on restoration of skin tissue and healthy blood cell restoration.
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