Zinc: An Essential Mineral

While reading an issue of Organic Consumer Report, an interesting article entitled “Zinc – Not How Much, But How Assimilable?” caught our attention.  Not a few of us realize the important role which this element plays in our daily life; so we are liberally quoting pertinent portions of the article for the benefit of our readers.

That zinc is essential for the life of small organisms has been known for 100 years, and for half that time, it has been recognized as essential for higher life forms, too.  Today, it is recognized as being one, among many catalysts, that enter into enzyme actions and reactions, and is critically important to a wide range of as yet undefined processes of living cells.  Without sufficient zinc, vitamin A cannot function properly.

According to the report, zinc is a non-ferrous metal with a vital role to play in every one of our trillions of cells.  Cells contain infinite numbers of atoms which are mostly emptiness; almost the whole is concentrated in a nucleus occupying approximately one-billionth of the total volume.

As a biocatalytic element – a substance that activates or speed up a biochemical reaction – zinc attaches itself to organic compounds and becomes a part of the catalytic machinery which “runs” the organism.  As a metal with high electrical and thermal conductivity, zinc enters into transmitting large electrical currents under the influence of small differences of potential and heat under small differences of temperature.

Zinc according to studies, is composed of more than 200 enzymes that are vital to bodily processes, like growth, reproduction, healing, and the condition or integrity of the immune system. Other health benefits attributed to zinc are the following: (1) extends one’s life span; (2) fights free radicals; and (3) stimulates production of gamma interferon for proper immune functioning.

Zinc needs replenishment daily since it is rapidly lost from the body under stress and is required in all healing functions.  The so-called average good diet provides about 12 milligrams of zinc daily, provided the diet is adequate in proteins.  To the vegetarians and the elderly, nutritionists suggest a daily dosage of from 30-50 milligrams and 50 milligrams, respectively.  Because zinc supplements can interfere with copper absorption, taking extra copper may be helpful. Consult your doctor.

Zinc deficiency in the mature male may be related to prostate problems and atrophy of the testicles.  Also, inadequate zinc can contribute to high blood pressure when cadmium (a highly toxic metal) is elevated.