Zinc is an essential mineral that is found in almost every cell. It is required for making enzymes (See Enzymes Protocol), your immune (See Immune Protocol) system, wound healing and during pregnancy. Your immune system is adversely affected by even moderate degrees of zinc deficiency. Zinc is a critical antioxidant protector of your blood brain barrier (See Blood Brain Barrier Protocol).

Zinc deficiency is rather common in the elderly and can result in many problems including the low stomach acid production (See Stomach Acid Protocol) that often plagues older people. Since Zinc is required to produce stomach acid and stomach acid is required to digest many zinc sourcesit may pay for seniors and others to supplement with Zinc at least on occasion. Zinc deficiency stunts growth and lengthens the amount of time your body needs to heal from cuts, bruises, and other wounds.

Zinc promises to be of major therapeutic importance. Zinc will not cure all our ails but it certainly seems that way sometimes. Zinc is a very important part of a balanced nutrition program.

         

Immune Function and Zinc

“If your body has inadequate zinc stores, you will experience increased susceptibility to a variety of infectious agents. Your white blood cells simply can't function without zinc. Zinc affects multiple aspects of your immune system, including neutrophils, natural killer cells, phagocytosis, cytokine production, antibody production, and even gene regulation within your lymphocytes. Zinc is involved in many basic cellular functions including DNA replication, RNA transcription, cell division and activation, and stabilization of cell membranes.”   Zinc is a Key Mineral for Your Immune Health