Zinc is a known mineral, which is also often seen in multivitamins. But, do you really know how Zinc works in the body? There is more to this mineral than just being a part of a multivitamin. Read more to know the importance of Zinc to your health.
Zinc and Covid-19
First some terms:
Corona = Corona is a term given to a family of viruses because of the spikes that resemble a crown on their surface. They cause illnesses in the upper respiratory tract.
There are about a hundred different coronaviruses and most of them dwell in animals such as cats, bats, pigs and camels, but can cross over to humans and cause disease.
Read more: CDC, Center for Disease Control and Prevention or NIH, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Covid-19 = Coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, is a disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 which appeared in China in December 2019 and is now declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization.
SARS-CoV-2 = SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 disease.
Covid-19 has changed the world in many ways.
Many people are stocking up on all kinds of supplements, thinking this is the solution for the virus.
Could Zinc be a good supplement to take at this time?
Zinc is commonly used to help fight off viruses and bacteria. Zinz helps balance your immune response.
Studies show that Zinc lozenges can help when you have a cold, but no studies have yet stated that it is useful, especially for the Covid-19.
UCHealth is saying that Zinc is something that will not hurt and there may be some benefits.
Functional doctor Mark Hyman is recommending 20 mg/day and another doctor, Dr. Vladimir Zelenko, is recommending 200 mg/day for 5 days.
PhD Chris Masterjohn, is saying 40-110mg/day is ideal and it should be taken with copper.
Getting your vitamins and minerals through food is always the best.
Be sure to read this whole article as you get tips on the right Zinc foods.
So, there is no “one answer” if you should take Zinc or not.
What we do know is that if you are not metabolically healthy or/and have underlying diseases, you are at a higher risk getting and in worse case also dying from Covid-19. That is a fact.
Why not strengthen your immunity to better fight ANY virus and disease.
The best you can do is to look at what you are eating and how you live overall. Don´t forget, stress is one of the most critical factors of tearing your body down!
Don´t sit and wait for illnesses to come to you. Fight them by investing in yourself.
NOW is the time to focus on your health.
If you are a woman in Menopause, or soon there, this is crucial.
Sign up to our newsletter here to get all the tools to get a strong body with less symptoms!
Zinc Benefits
Zinc is a trace element which means that it is only needed by the body in very small amounts. However, it is very essential for human health. The following are the benefits brought about by Zinc.
- Boosts the immune system
- Hastens wound healing
- Good for the skin (treats acne and delays skin aging)
- Supports fertility and reproductive health in general (for both males and females)
- Improves strength and performance in athletes
- Improves heart health
- May help prevent cancer
- Improves mood and prevents anxiety and depression
- Enhances sleep and cognition
Importance in Menopause
The changes in menopause may cause dryness to the skin, hair, nails and eyes. However, if you have enough zinc in the body, it may help you manage the dryness. Zinc may help in the management of stress, anxiety and depression. It may also help in protecting the bone health and preventing the development of osteoporosis.
High and Low Zinc Levels
As recommended by experts, adult women should be able to get 12 m/day of Zinc. How do you know if you have high or low Zinc levels in the body? You can go to a clinic or laboratory to have your levels tested. However, there is a Do-It-Yourself Taste Test that is very simple and can be done at the comforts of your own home. To show you how the process is done, check out this video by Kayla from the Radiant Life Company. Learn about the easy tips for testing Zinc, below. (3.26 minutes)
Zinc levels in the body can also be checked using test strips. But by just simply looking at yourself, you can also tell if you have low Zinc or not. Usually, having white spots under the fingernails will signify that you are deficient from it.
If you have low Zinc levels, what would you experience? When there is zinc deficiency, a person may lose the appetite to eat and may also lose weight as a result. Other symptoms like hair loss, depression, and low blood pressure may also be seen in a person who is deficient from it. The most common symptom would be the loss of your sense of taste and smell.
At some point where too much Zinc is consumed, it may also cause issues. When taken in excessively high doses, it may cause stomach pain, fever and fatigue. When inhaled through the nose, it may also cause loss of smell. It can be inhaled from the gas fumes present in the environment, like the smoke coming from burning coal or wastes.
Ways to Use Zinc
Aside from consuming foods that contain high amounts of Zinc, you can make your own skin protection formula with Zinc! Here’s a short yet informative video by Sophie Uliano on making a 4-in-1 Natural recipe for sunscreen, moisturizer, deodorant and bug repellant! Check it out! (3.01 minutes)
For the ingredients, we’ve got you covered! Below is the list of ingredients for this 4-in-1 recipe. Enjoy!
- 1/2 c coconut oil (Nutiva Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil)
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 5 tsp beeswax pellets
- 1 tsp non-nano zinc oxide (Lalune Naturals Zinc Oxide Powder)
- 20 drops lavender essential oil (Lavender 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil)
- 20 drops lemongrass essential oil
Sources of Zinc
Although not readily available in the body, Zinc can be found in the common food items that we consume. There are not too many plant sources of this mineral, because of the phytates that are present in plants. Phytates slow the its absorption, making it useless when introduced in the body. According to the National Institutes of Health, the best sources of this mineral are oysters. It is followed by meat, including beef, pork chop and chicken. Whole wheat grain, oats, peas and nuts are also good sources. You may also consume crab, lobster, flounder, cheese, milk and yogurt for more of the mineral in the body.
If eating food items is not enough, you can also get it from supplements. There are multivitamins and supplements that mainly provide it. It may also be included in organic formulas for the skin and the hair. There are products in powder form, which are used to provide sun protection and moisturizing property in skin and hair products.
What do you think about Zinc? Tell us your experiences with Zinc products!
Don’t forget to subscribe to our Newsletter and connect with us in Twitter and Facebook for more updates from the website!
Have a happy Menopause Journey!
Zinc is a mineral that is found in almost every cell in the human body, Despite its importance, this mineral is often taken for granted. A lot of people tend to remember zinc when they have a cold or sore throat. These people take zinc supplements and lozenges to treat colds or sore throats. However, these individuals should bear in mind that zinc won’t cure these ailments. The mineral, however, will help boost the immune system so the cold won’t develop into something more serious. In addition to these health benefits, zinc is found in many food groups and is important for nourishing the skin, boosting the functions of the reproductive system.
to read more :
Zinc is essential for menopause too! Thank you for the added information. We appreciate your contribution.