Zinc controls and regulates metabolic processes, enzyme activity and maintains the cell integrity. It catalyzes many biochemical reactions, especially contributing to the development of cells and the synthesis of testosterone (male sex hormone).
Why is zinc important to your skin?
The low zinc amounts in the body proved to be linked to acne breakouts and the appearance of other skin diseases. A dry skin, brittle nails, dull hair are also problems arising from lack of zinc.
Bacterial infection is the cause of pimples, especially in adults. Zinc is known for its properties that fight infections and the treatment with zinc seems to give good results in removing pimples at adults. It has the power to remove bacteria from both the depth of the skin and also at it surface, reducing skin inflammation.
Zinc has been used for years in the form of zinc oxide, known for its soothing and healing qualities – eg. rash – accelerating wound healing. In some cases it was noticed that it’s as effective as tetracycline.
Zinc is an oligo-element essential in the good functioning of our body. As it has a similar action to an antibiotic, it’s obviously better to use zinc instead of antibiotics, especially if the treatment is followed in a long term.
It’s much better to provide the body its daily needs of zinc from the food we eat. Some of the main sources of zinc that can and should be included in your diet are: walnuts, pumpkin seeds and meat. Experts recommend a nutritional intake of zinc of 14 milligrams per day for men and 12 milligrams daily for women.
Although zinc is present in many foods – fish, seafood, meat, eggs, cereals, pulses, nuts, pumpkin seeds – zinc deficiencies are very common. There are many reasons for lack of zinc: drinking coffee, tea, alcohol, smoking and stress depletes the zinc reserves. On the other hand, the industrialization of food, especially grain from which pasta and bread are obtained reduce the intake of zinc.
Like iron, zinc coming from animal foods is better assimilated than the one found in vegetables.
Rejoice, you who enjoy wine: served in reasonable doses, wine enhances the absorption of zinc.
Zinc can be also taken under the form of nutritional supplements. Keep in mind that it is absorbed better if taken on an empty stomach than during or after meal. Combining zinc with selenium supplements is highly recommended as this mixture helps your body fight aging skin. Yet you must avoid its association with iron, because iron prevents the absorption of zinc.
Because our body has low amounts of zinc, you need to supplement your daily diet with foods containing zinc. An insufficient intake even for short periods (a week) reduces the rate of muscle development and responsiveness of your immune system, resulting in lower body resistance against various infections.
Oysters are also as foods rich in this mineral. In addition, it’s good to know that oysters are considered a highly effective aphrodisiac ( stimulant of sex appetite), as they have a large amount of zinc in forms easily assimilated by the body.
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