Often times we see where immune supports like cold and flu medicines will include some zinc. What people may not be aware of are the many characteristics of zinc and why our body requires this essential mineral.
Although the amount required by out bodies is small, the impact of insufficient zinc levels can be felt in many different areas. A major area of influence is when it comes to the immune system. This one is primarily due to it’s overall function throughout our body relating to calcium.
Zinc is very important In converting cholesterol to vitamin D. When we look at the function of white blood cells in the body, without calcium, they’re quire inadequate. This can cripple your immunity. We see the power of zinc in fighting cancers and infection by it’s production of vitamin D. The presence of zinc for conversion of cholesterol to vitamin D is required for absorbing calcium into the blood.
Both zinc and copper help prevent excess iron from accumulating in the system. When I find elevated serum iron along with high levels of cholesterol, I look for a deficiency of zinc. A note along that line is that elevated levels of iron can irritate and inflame the digestive system.
We need iron, but like any other element in our system, too much or too little of any of them creates imbalance and can initiate disease.
Another function of zinc which is frequently overlooked is that of assisting in the production of insulin. Low or inadequate levels can create of worsen conditions of hyperglycemia or diabetes. For this reason, it’s one area which should be evaluated any time there’s concern over blood sugar imbalances.
When evaluating blood profiles, there are many things which can point to low zinc levels without actually testing for zinc itself. The enzyme Alkaline Phosphatase is an enzyme produced by the bones, liver/gallbladder bile duct, skin, and placenta. It’s removed from the system by the liver. It’s highly dependent on zinc. Any time the level is less than 70, I suspect a zinc deficiency. Keep in mind this is an enzyme produced by the bones. If we consider what a deficiency may create, think about osteoporosis. Usually we focus on calcium in osteoporosis, but don’t ignore the role played by zinc.
As I’ve shared before, removing the natural stomach acid defeats absorption of calcium. The same holds true with many minerals. Because of this, low zinc or Alkaline Phosphatase can signal low levels of stomach acid. If we continually defeat the natural digestive processes we set the stage for many other problems.
A zinc deficiency can cause a dullness of both taste and smell. When I have patients who say they can’t taste foods or their sense of smell is off, it can be the red flag signaling a zinc deficiency. In correcting this, it’s important to recognize the interaction between zinc, copper, and iron. If all are low, consider nutrition which increases all of them. This could easily be a digestive weakness of low stomach acid. If one is elevated and the other two are low, it can be due to supplementing with one over the others.
As many are aware, zinc is an important mineral for the health and function of the reproductive organs. How many times the oyster is implicated in improving testosterone levels in men due to the zinc found in them. Zinc assists in ovarian function as much as in the testicles. Therefore, zinc deficiencies can contribute to impotence and infertility.
The food industry uses iron filings in things like cereal to fortify their foods and satisfy a label. These iron filings do very little to provide usable iron, but upsets the balance of other minerals and can reduce critical elements to the point of creating pathologic conditions. This is just one reason why I refuse to consume commercial cereals. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I had any of these foods. My preference is meals made from scratch, in which I know what the ingredients are and where they came from.
Zinc may be a small mineral, with what looks to be insignificant impact on health, but in reality, it touches every aspect of metabolism from blood sugar, to bone construction and maintenance, to immunity, to reproduction, to being able to enjoy the taste and smell of our foods.
When supporting low zinc levels, I prefer to use food based nutrition. Seafoods do contain zinc, but we see it in beef, lamb, turkey, seeds, and greens. To dramatically increase very low levels, I like to use a product known as zinc liver chelate from Standard Process.
So, if you’ve been diagnosed with elevated cholesterol, before taking that statin drug, consider looking into a potential zinc deficiency. Also, check your digestion. Avoid acid blocking drugs.
Although the amount required by out bodies is small, the impact of insufficient zinc levels can be felt in many different areas. A major area of influence is when it comes to the immune system. This one is primarily due to it’s overall function throughout our body relating to calcium.
Zinc is very important In converting cholesterol to vitamin D. When we look at the function of white blood cells in the body, without calcium, they’re quire inadequate. This can cripple your immunity. We see the power of zinc in fighting cancers and infection by it’s production of vitamin D. The presence of zinc for conversion of cholesterol to vitamin D is required for absorbing calcium into the blood.
Both zinc and copper help prevent excess iron from accumulating in the system. When I find elevated serum iron along with high levels of cholesterol, I look for a deficiency of zinc. A note along that line is that elevated levels of iron can irritate and inflame the digestive system.
We need iron, but like any other element in our system, too much or too little of any of them creates imbalance and can initiate disease.
Another function of zinc which is frequently overlooked is that of assisting in the production of insulin. Low or inadequate levels can create of worsen conditions of hyperglycemia or diabetes. For this reason, it’s one area which should be evaluated any time there’s concern over blood sugar imbalances.
When evaluating blood profiles, there are many things which can point to low zinc levels without actually testing for zinc itself. The enzyme Alkaline Phosphatase is an enzyme produced by the bones, liver/gallbladder bile duct, skin, and placenta. It’s removed from the system by the liver. It’s highly dependent on zinc. Any time the level is less than 70, I suspect a zinc deficiency. Keep in mind this is an enzyme produced by the bones. If we consider what a deficiency may create, think about osteoporosis. Usually we focus on calcium in osteoporosis, but don’t ignore the role played by zinc.
As I’ve shared before, removing the natural stomach acid defeats absorption of calcium. The same holds true with many minerals. Because of this, low zinc or Alkaline Phosphatase can signal low levels of stomach acid. If we continually defeat the natural digestive processes we set the stage for many other problems.
A zinc deficiency can cause a dullness of both taste and smell. When I have patients who say they can’t taste foods or their sense of smell is off, it can be the red flag signaling a zinc deficiency. In correcting this, it’s important to recognize the interaction between zinc, copper, and iron. If all are low, consider nutrition which increases all of them. This could easily be a digestive weakness of low stomach acid. If one is elevated and the other two are low, it can be due to supplementing with one over the others.
As many are aware, zinc is an important mineral for the health and function of the reproductive organs. How many times the oyster is implicated in improving testosterone levels in men due to the zinc found in them. Zinc assists in ovarian function as much as in the testicles. Therefore, zinc deficiencies can contribute to impotence and infertility.
The food industry uses iron filings in things like cereal to fortify their foods and satisfy a label. These iron filings do very little to provide usable iron, but upsets the balance of other minerals and can reduce critical elements to the point of creating pathologic conditions. This is just one reason why I refuse to consume commercial cereals. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I had any of these foods. My preference is meals made from scratch, in which I know what the ingredients are and where they came from.
Zinc may be a small mineral, with what looks to be insignificant impact on health, but in reality, it touches every aspect of metabolism from blood sugar, to bone construction and maintenance, to immunity, to reproduction, to being able to enjoy the taste and smell of our foods.
When supporting low zinc levels, I prefer to use food based nutrition. Seafoods do contain zinc, but we see it in beef, lamb, turkey, seeds, and greens. To dramatically increase very low levels, I like to use a product known as zinc liver chelate from Standard Process.
So, if you’ve been diagnosed with elevated cholesterol, before taking that statin drug, consider looking into a potential zinc deficiency. Also, check your digestion. Avoid acid blocking drugs.
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