SELF HELP
DR . SERGE GREGOIRE , PH . D , CCH Functional Medicine Doctor Mind and Body Solutions
ZINC IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT NUTRIENT
Zinc is the 24th most abundant element on Earth . It is an essential trace element for humans . Zinc is found in nearly 300 specific enzymes ; is the second most abundant transition metal in organisms after iron ; and is the only metal that appears in all enzyme classes , meaning it plays a role in virtually all functions of an organism .
Zinc isn ’ t the most talked-about nutrient , but it ’ s one of the most important — necessary for the activity of more than 300 enzymes that aid in metabolism , digestion , immune function , skin health , and more .
And since your body can ’ t produce or store it , it ’ s essential that you get enough zinc on a regular basis through food or supplementation .
Around 50 % of the population is zinc deficient , and it gets worse as we get older .
The problem is getting enough zinc may be tougher than you thought .
First , there are lower nutrient levels than ever in our food system .
Second , phytates — present in foods like grains , cereals , and legumes — bind zinc and inhibit absorption .
Third , zinc can be tough to absorb without the presence of other nutrients .
Plus , if you have digestive issues , gastrointestinal disease , if you ’ re a vegetarian , or if you ’ re pregnant or lactating , you ’ re at an even greater risk of low zinc levels .
It is estimated that zinc deficiency affects 2 billion people in the world . Zinc deficiency is primarily due to insufficient dietary intake and malabsorption . Symptoms of mild zinc deficiency are diverse . Clinical outcomes include depressed growth ,
36 MOMENTUM diarrhea , impotence and delayed sexual maturation , eye and skin lesions , impaired appetite , altered cognition , impaired host defense properties , defects in carbohydrate utilization , and hormonal imbalances . Mild zinc deficiency also depresses immunity , leading to yeast ( Candida , for example ) and parasitic infections .
Insufficient dietary intake of zinc can be easily remedied by consuming food high in this element , such as : Oyster Salmon Lamb Grass-fed beef Liver Chicken cheese Yogurt / Kefir
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Pumpkin seeds Hemp seeds Lentils Spinach Avocados Mushrooms Cacao / Dark chocolate Almonds
However , in my practice , the main factor leading to zinc deficiency is malabsorption . I will briefly go over three causes of zinc malabsorption that I have repeatedly seen over the years : phytates , medication , and heavy metals such as aluminum and mercury . Those various toxins prevent the absorption of zinc in our gastrointestinal tract , causing zinc deficiency over time . That is why it is critical to regularly do a cleanse in order to eliminate all those toxins out of the body . This helps the absorption of vitamins and minerals tremendously , therefore fixing nutritional deficiencies in the body . This is the answer to chronic health issues .
In conclusion , zinc is critical for optimal health and for the optimal function of the immune system . Make sure you incorporate those zinc-rich foods into your diet . If not , you can always supplement .