Nutrient That Improving Immunity and Repairing Cells

While people may think to only take zinc to help cure a cold, it is actually very important to maintain overall health all of the time. Zinc is necessary in small amounts each day for the body to be able to perform its functions. It benefits the body in several ways, such as improving immunity, helping with the production of hormones, facilitating digestion, and repairing cells.


What is Zinc?

Zinc is a transition metal and essential trace element. It is responsible for several functions in the body, as well as stimulates the activity of enzymes. Zinc is naturally found in various foods, but is also available in supplement form. Vegetarians may have a more difficult time getting adequate zinc because vegetarian foods such as soy and whole grains are natural inhibitors of the absorption of zinc. Alternatively, zinc that is found in meat is absorbed more effectively.

Health Benefits of Zinc

There are many health benefits of zinc beyond treating a common cold. Some of these include:

improving immunity
treating diarrhea
regulating neurons in the brain
healing wounds
stimulating proper growth
decreasing the risk of chronic disease
preventing macular degeneration
increasing fertility in men

Recommended Zinc Intake

The recommended daily allowance for zinc is 8 mg/day for women, and 11 mg/day for men. It is especially important for children to get enough zinc into their diets because even a small deficiency in the mineral can stunt their growth and increase their risk of diseases and infections.