Some Things To Zinc About

Zinc plays a key role in the healthy function of every organ in your body and is found in every tissue of the body.  Why does one mineral do so much? The answer is - enzymes. Enzymes are boosters that initiate and speed up all the chemical reactions in your body. Without enzymes you wouldn't just slow down- you would come to a halt! Virtually all enzymes in the body contain a common mineral called zinc.  Zinc deficiency contributes to many conditions and diseases of every organ system of the body, including the brain.  Restoring adequate zinc levels restores healthy function.  At greatest risk are children and the elderly, although people of all ages can suffer the consequences of inadequate zinc levels.  What are these conditions/diseases and what can we do to raise our body’s zinc levels?

Better Vision, Taste And Smell?

The eyes would be a blinded without zinc. The choroid, the main circulatory layer of the eye, contains more zinc than any other part of the body except the male prostate gland. A tissue that helps relay visual impulses to the brain, the retina, contains high levels of zinc as well. The iris – the colored portion of the front of the eye – also contains zinc.  One common eye disorder that can be caused by zinc deficiency is night blindness, the inability of the eyes to adapt to darkness. In a study conducted 26 years ago of six men with night blindness, researchers found that all six regained normal vision after taking zinc supplements for two weeks (The Amer­ican Journal of Clinical Nutrition, February, 1978).  Other studies have linked zinc deficiency with the appearance of cataracts, a condition that can’t be reversed, but can be slowed or prevented.  Noticing that your eyesight is beginning to dim?  Think zinc!

Getting enough zinc seems to affect other senses. Our sense of smell and taste depend on zinc.  A zinc deficiency can wither your taste buds and block your sense of smell. Odors and tastes actually become unpleasant in acute deficiency.  Supplementation with zinc can improve the sense of taste and smell.

Acne, Boils and Other Wounds To The Skin

Zinc’s roles in treating these wounds to the skin are multiple.  Zinc is necessary to the absorption of Vitamin A, an important vitamin for healthy skin (and eyes!).  Zinc also contributes to the healthy function of the immune system (controlling infections and inflammations) and tissue regeneration (wound healing).  Zinc is an essential part of the enzymes that control DNA synthesis.  Zinc deficiency causes these enzymes to function poorly and improperly, resulting in defective DNA and defective cell synthesis.  Growth of healthy cells is absolutely necessary for healing of wounds to take place.

According to Julian Whitaker, MD: “Several double blind studies have shown zinc to produce similar results to tetracycline in treating superficial acne.  It actually shows superior results compared to this strong antibiotic in treating deeper form of acne.” As with conventional therapy, it should be combined with a regimen to include keeping the skin clean and the use of natural “antibiotic” creams.   Supplementation with zinc can take up to 12 weeks to show results, as natural therapies usually work slower.

Boils are another skin condition that responds to zinc supplementation.  Dr Whitaker cites a Swedish study that illustrates this.  Fifteen patients with recurrent boils were found to have low levels of zinc.  One group was given antibiotics only and had reoccurrences within 3 months.  The other group received zinc supplements only.  Their boils cleared up quickly and did not reoccur.

Prostate Trouble?

The list of zinc's relief-giving powers is long. Studies have shown zinc can speed the healing of stomach ulcers, improve the flexibility of arthritic joints, protect the body against the environmental pollutants lead and cadmium, and reduce a swollen prostate gland - a problem that affects almost all men over 60.

Zinc is essential in the synthesis of the male hormone testosterone, sperm formation and motility, and helps boost the immune system in protecting the prostate from infection.  Prostatitis (infection) can be prevented, in many cases, by supplementation with zinc.

Mental Decline or Worse - or Zinc Deficiency?

One of the many signs of aging is diminishing mental function.  Much of this could be due to a zinc deficiency.  Low levels of zinc cause a part of the brain, called the hippocampus, to suffer a decline in function causing confusion and dullness.  This can happen at any age, but children and the elderly are most at risk.  Children that had been labeled “slow” or showed other cognitive problems and/or behavioral problems were benefited greatly by giving them adequate amounts of zinc.  “Senility” is defined as a loss of cognitive function in the elderly.  Often this state is accepted as an inevitable condition of “old age.”  It does not have to be.  Many “seniors” have seen their mental functions improve greatly with adequate amounts of zinc.  Sometimes their diets do contain adequate amounts of zinc, but as we age, our production of digestive enzymes decreases, lowering our ability to absorb the nutrients we need.  The elderly poorly absorbs zinc so supplementation with the correct form of zinc is important.  The knowledgeable experts at your health food store can advise you on this.

What Can We Do?

Why are swollen prostates and many of. the other disorders that can be treated with zinc so common? It may be that we Americans are not getting the amount of zinc we need for optimal health, especially children and the elderly.  Our taste buds, already “addicted” to salt and sugar become even more dysfunctional when we do not consume a healthful diet – due to – surprise! – a zinc deficiency!  Fast foods for the most part contain, at best, low levels of zinc.  Processed foods have little or no zinc. 

Think of Meat and Grains Plus A Good Zinc Supplement

One thing's certain. No one wants to risk any of these health problems associated with a low intake of zinc. So think zinc. And that means thinking lean meat, seafood, beans, nuts and grains.  Why not fruits and vegetables? They play other roles in healthy eating, but they don't supply large amounts of zinc.  Brazil nuts, pistachios, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, filberts and pecans, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds, wheat germ and wheat bran are all rich in zinc.  Coffee may block absorption of zinc, so watch it!

Two good ways to make sure you're getting enough zinc is to use a nutritional supplement and putting at least 10 extra milligrams of zinc in your diet every day (the RDA is 15 mg.). Doing that, and eating a diet with lots of whole foods, should keep zinc's miracle a quiet but powerful part of your health.

Health is not everything, but without spiritual and physical health, everything is nothing.

Until next time we meet – may God Bless you with good health, with a little help from you!

The information in these columns is for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Please consult your physician for any serious condition.

Len Rossi, ND has been a proponent of Natural Healing for 30 years. After a 25-year career as a pro wrestler, Len earned his Doctor Of Naturopathy degree in 1982 and is a Licensed Massage Therapist.