Zinc is a trace mineral required in small amounts in the human diet, but has a big significance in sustaining your health. Zinc plays a vital role in cellular metabolism, immune stimulation and the prevention and treatment of disease. Consult your doctor about your diet and the importance of zinc.
Cell Function
Zinc is essential for proper cell metabolism, particularly assisting enzymes in the breakdown of chemicals, maintaining the structure and function of membranes and regulating genes and cell signals that influence nerve impulses, release of hormones, cell death and growth and development. Scientists at the University of Adelaide in Woodville, South Australia report that zinc regulates gene-programmed cell death and that a dietary zinc deficiency increases the risk of pathological processes in the body, according to research published in the "Journal of Nutrition" in May 2000.
Immune Stimulation
Zinc stimulates your immune system to fight infections and prevent the growth of pathological microorganisms associated with infectious diseases. Scientists at the Technical University of Aachen in Germany report that immune cells, including monocytes, natural killer cells, T cells, B cells and interleukins, become dysfunctional after zinc depletion, according to research published in the "Journal of Nutrition" in May 2003. Increased dietary intake of zinc from supplements reduces the death rate associated with diarrhea and pneumonia, according to research by scientists at the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan and published in "BMC Public Health" in 2011.
Prevention
Zinc is essential in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, a condition characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance and inability to produce sufficient amounts of insulin. Scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health conducted a 24-year prospective epidemiological study on the association between the dietary intake of zinc and the incidence of type 2 diabetes, according to research published in "Diabetes Care" in April 2009. The results demonstrate that higher dietary intake of zinc reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes in women.
Treatment
Zinc is also effective in treating viral warts and leg ulcers. Scientists at the University of Baghdad in Iraq found that injection of zinc sulphate is a new and effective mode of therapy of viral warts, according to research published in the January-March edition of the "Annals of Saudi Medicine" in 2002. The results demonstrate zinc sulphate cleared 98.2 percent of the treated lesions within six weeks of injection. Zinc oxide administered in paste bandages protects and soothes skin that is inflamed with ulcers, according to research by scientists at Charing Cross Hospital in London, England and published in the January-February edition of "Wound Repair and Regeneration" in 2007.
References
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Cellular Zinc Fluxes and the Regulation of Apoptosis/Gene-Directed Cell Death; A. Q. Truong-Tran, et al.; May 2000
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Zinc-Altered Immune Function; Klause Helge Ibs; May 2003
- "BMC Public Health"; Preventive Zinc Supplementation in Developing Countries: Impact on Mortality and Morbidity Due to Diarrhea, Pneumonia and Malaria; Mohammad Yawar Yakoob, et al.; 2011
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse; Diabetes; November 2008
- "Diabetes Care"; Prospective Study of Zinc Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women; Qi Sun, et al.; April 2009
- "Annals of Saudi Medicine"; Treatment of Viral Warts by Intralesional Injection of Zinc Sulphate; Khalifia Sharquie; January-March 2002
Member Comments