The body is a complex machine that needs lots of different nutrients to perform its daily functions. One of those nutrients is zinc. You may only think of it in relation to keeping you from getting sunburned, but it serves an even greater purpose than that.
Why should we be thinking about zinc? It is an important mineral in the body. Each day, the body performs thousands of reactions that can happen in the blink of an eye. From the foods we eat, the body filters out what it needs and directs it to the right places for use. What we don’t need it eliminated as waste. Each day the process begins again.
The Importance of Zinc
In the body, zinc is responsible for helping with hundreds of reactions in a variety of cells.
For one, it plays an important role in immune function. Zinc is instrumental in stimulating the formation of T-lymphocytes or helper T-cells. These are the white blood cells that rush to the sight of an invading infection to stop the onslaught on the body.
It plays a role in wound healing as well.
Zinc stimulates enzyme activity. Enzymes are catalysts for hundreds of reactions, from secreting hormones from glands to stimulating the creation of reproductive cells.
It supports normal growth and development throughout your life. In the womb, it helps to ensure that the neurological systems develop as they should during each trimester of pregnancy. After birth it still functions to support brain development.
Basically the body could not do without zinc and yet, many people are deficient in this mineral.
It may not be noticed at first, but over time it can show up in decreased immunity or greater susceptibility to colds and other illnesses. You often see people taking Echinacea or zinc as a remedy to fight these conditions.
Foods and Herbs that Contain Zinc
A better way to get zinc into your system is through your food, spices and herbs. This is always a preferable choice to supplements as it is the natural form of the mineral. Check your diet.
If you are not eating or using any of these foods and herbs, you could be zinc deficient.
* Oysters
* Wheat germ
* Bran
* Cheese
* Beef
* Lamb
* Other dairy products
* Cashews
* Celery seed
*Thyme
*Oregano
*Parsley
* Ginger
* Rosemary
* Sage
Zinc is an important mineral used in every cell in the body.
Check to see if you are getting enough to keep your body healthy.