Our Immune system functions to protect our body against various infections and diseases.

What we eat, affects our immune system. Inadequate intake of selected micronutrients can lead to immune deficiency.

A good way to build your immune system is to understand your need for important vitamins and minerals that play an essential role in your immunity.

Vitamins and minerals are trace compounds that are required by our body in extremely minute quantities and used by almost all cells of our body to perform many vital functions.

You can read about different types of vitamins essential to boost your immunity by clicking here.

In this article, we will look at the most important mineral that is needed to build a properly functioning immune /system that is efficient in protecting yourself from various kinds of bacterial and viral infections.

And the mineral is non-other than the ZINC

Benefits of Zinc

Zinc is an essential micro-nutrient that our bodies need in small amounts to function properly.

Zinc is involved in only a few biological processes like Protein and DNA production, cell division, and wound healing.

However, zinc is also known for playing a crucial role in the function of the immune system.

Many people believe that supplementing zinc can help prevent colds and other infections and illnesses.

Although zinc deficiency is relatively rare in the developed world, certain populations such as the elderly and the vegetarians do have an increased likelihood of not getting enough zinc.

As many as 50% of the alcoholics have low zinc levels because the ethanol present in the alcohol decreases the zinc absorption and increases its excretion.

Also, the diet that is consumed by most of the youngsters living outside their homes contains very low quantities of zinc and can lead to a deficiency.

Zinc plays a critical role in virtually all aspects of the immune system.

Zinc is required for the optimal function of many different types of white blood cells that protect the body from illness and infection.

In addition, zinc also plays a role in Cytokine production, Phagocytosis, and other immune system processes.

Activation of the immune system results in an increased generation of reactive oxygen species which can intern damage the immune system cells and processes.

As an Anti-oxidant compound, zinc can help neutralizes damage, indirectly improving the function of the immune system.

Even MILD ZINC deficiency can weaken the immune system, whereas people with severe zinc deficiencies suffer from constant infections that can even lead to deaths as early as 25 years of age.

Zinc dosage trials on Humans

Human trials confirmed that zinc supplementation can improve immunity in the elderly and help us to fight many infections like the common cold.

Zinc 45 mg supplementation appears to boost the immune system function of older adults.

A study was done to test the immune benefits of Zinc supplementation in the elderly population.

50 healthy adults aged 55-87 received zinc Gluconate 45 mg for 12 months.

The trial found out that older adults had naturally lower zinc levels than younger adults and that supplementation raised zinc levels along with a significant reduction in the occurrence of infections and the production of Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF- Alpha), a Cytokine that promotes infection.

The researchers concluded that after supplementation, the incidence of infection was significantly lower, Plasma zinc was significantly higher, and the generation of Tumour Necrosis factor Alpha was significantly lower.

Another research was done with 75mg daily dosage of zinc and it was found that 75mg dosage also reduced the duration of colds, but not significantly more than that provided by 45mg of daily zinc.

So, the researchers suggest that around 45 mg of zinc Gluconate is enough to boost immunity.

We recommend zinc for helping with the cold infections and for older adults to boost their overall immunity.

Older individuals tend to have lower zinc levels and researcher confirms that the zinc deficiency can weaken the immune system.

Zinc Gluconate or Zinc acetate is ideal.

Most of the zinc supplements come in one of these two forms.

While zinc does appear to have some use as an immunity booster, taking too much zinc can also have many opposite effects.

One study reported that men taking 300mg of zinc twice daily for 6 weeks had an impaired immune response.

Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency

1. Loss of smell and taste.

Zinc is responsible for a lot of neurological receptors of our body and when we have a deficiency of Zinc, we are not able to get the actual taste of the food we are eating.

Many people in the case of loss of smell or taste try to eat more sugars and salts to make the food tastier.

And as we know that those foods are processed foods that are already deficient in Zinc levels. Thereby decreasing your Zinc levels furthermore.

2. White spots on Finger nails

This is one of the earliest symptoms to determine the deficiency of zinc.

Many a time we see a white spot on our nails and sometimes we just ignore it without knowing the cause.

Right now, check your nails for any white spots and if you find any with other symptoms of zinc deficiency in this article, then you need to be smarter in taking your next step.

3. Hair Loss/ weakening of hairs

If you are having hair loss issues then it may be due to the deficiency of zinc.

Here, I am not talking about hair disease like Alopecia, in which the patient loses his/her hair in the form of patches.

I am talking about Hair Problems like thinning of hairs, split ends, hair fall, etc. So, if you are facing these problems then you might be suffering from a deficiency of Zinc.

4. Chronic Repeat Infections

If you are a person who is caught by every cold and flu then you might be having a deficiency of zinc.

This might be due to the side effects of other medications or a weak immune system.

You can read about the top 10 foods that boost your Immunity naturally by clicking here.

5. Skin Inflammation

There are different medical conditions linked to skin Inflammation and the Deficiency of Zinc is one of them.

There are some people, who are born with Inflammation diseases such as dermatitis, Psoriasis, or Eczema.

But those who are taking medication for inflammation disease and not getting results might consult with their doctor for checking their zinc levels.

6. Loss of Sleep

As we discussed earlier that zinc is responsible for the neurological receptors of our body, so, deficiency of zinc can cause you sleeping issues as well.

7. Fertility problems in males and females

Zinc plays an important role in the quality of egg and sperm, so if you and your spouse are trying to have children and you are not able to then it is very important that both of you must get checked for your zinc levels.

8. Irregular Periods in women

Here irregular means, you are not on the 28-day cycle.

This can because of the capacity of zinc to regulate different sex hormones such as progesterone and estrogen.

So, if you are experiencing irregular cycles, then you should get your zinc levels checked.

9. Low blood counts

You might see on your Blood test report the level of your Blood counts.

Zinc deficiency can manifest a low White blood cell count and a low red blood cell count or a low platelet count.

If you’ve had that low blood counts coming back repetitively in your lab reports, you might go for a zinc level count.

10. Blood Sugar Problems

If you’ve got blood sugar swings up and down then deficiency of zinc might be a problem which you need to look into.

One of the functions of zinc is to regulate INSULIN.

Insulin is a long protein made up of different amino acids. Zinc is the center point of the insulin holding it together.

So, if you are low in zinc, you could be producing an Insulin that is less effective which can lead to blood sugar level swings.

So, if you are eating right, doing workouts, and your blood sugar levels are still not in control, then the Deficiency of zinc might be the culprit.

Foods Rich in Zinc

Here are 25 of the best zinc rich foods

1. Wheat germ
2. Pumpkin seeds
3. Sesame seeds
4. Mushrooms
5. Peanuts
6. Wild rice
7. Cashew nuts
8. Sunflower seeds
9. Spinach
10. Pecans
11. Flax seeds
12. Pine nuts
13. Brazil nuts
14. Oats
15. Navy beans
16. Almonds
17. Chia seeds
18. Chickpeas
19. Walnuts
20. Amaranth
21. Garlic
22. Legumes
23. Squash seeds
24. Peas
25. Brown rice

FAQ About Zinc

Final Words

I hope, we have covered almost everything about zinc, its benefits, symptoms of deficiency, and natural foods that are rich in Zinc.

If still, you are having any doubts or questions regarding zinc, you can ask me directly by commenting in the comment section.

I request you to kindly share this Article if you liked the content with your friends and family members to boost my morale.