Zinc is a chemical element. It is led in the group of the so-called transition metals. However, for humans and other living things, zinc acquires an important meaning.
Mode of action of zinc
Because the organism needs different vitamins, trace elements and other substances that are not endogenous to the body to be able to function. This includes zinc, which is a mineral and is classified in this category as a trace element.
The human body stores between 2 and 3 grams of zinc, but cannot produce it itself. Zinc acquires a special significance for the organism through its function. It supports the entire immune system and strengthens the body’s defenses. It prevents cell aging and the formation of cancer.
But also the metabolism would not be possible without zinc. In addition, it improves the performance of the brain. Thus, the ability to concentrate and logical thinking increases under the increased intake of zinc. However, deficiency symptoms can also occur if zinc is not supplied in sufficient quantities.
Importance
Zinc is thus involved in many processes of the organism. Many of them take place unnoticed. The person will usually not be able to determine whether he is deficient in zinc. In most cases, only an examination of blood values can provide information about this.
However, the first signs of a zinc deficiency can be poor skin, brittle fingernails or thin hair. In addition, the lack of zinc causes a lack of drive. The affected person feels unmotivated. In the worst case, depression can result. Wounds of the skin do not heal optimally, the cells of the organism need a longer time for regeneration.
For athletes, it is crucial that zinc is also involved in the growth of muscles, for example. A deficiency can lead to weight loss as well as muscle atrophy. Therefore, it is crucial to cover his need for zinc. This is 12 milligrams per day for women and 15 milligrams per day for men. This is done through a good diet or supplementary preparations. However, it should be noted that supplements containing highly concentrated zinc require a longer and constant intake before they can take full effect.
This is because it is usually necessary to compensate for the deficit of zinc that exists in the body. It is also important to increase the absorption of zinc into the blood with the fact that such drugs are also enriched with the amino acid histidine.
Occurrence in food
It is relatively difficult to meet the need for zinc through a balanced diet alone. This is because foods that are high in zinc are often also very high in fat and are therefore only recommended to a limited extent. These include hazelnuts, cashews and Brazil nuts. Likewise, the proportion of zinc in the liver of beef, pork and veal is very high.
However, meat products should be consumed in limited quantities anyway. On the other hand, healthier are the cereals such as wheat, oats, barley and rye. They have a very high to still average amount of zinc.
Vegetables and fruit, on the other hand, are not good suppliers of zinc and contain only small amounts of the trace element. Likewise, yogurt, cottage cheese or milk contain only small amounts of zinc.
To support this, highly concentrated preparations containing zinc can be taken. They cover the need for zinc optimally and therefore guarantee the optimal course of the body’s own processes.
