Zinc is a neat little mineral. It is very important to your health.
Some of the health benefits of zinc are:
- regulates immune function;
- assists in blood sugar balance;
- treats diarrhea;
- improves learning and memory;
- helps with the common cold and sore throats;
- plays a role in wound healing;
- reduces inflammation;
- decreases the risk of age-related diseases.
How Much To Take
If you are low in zinc, I typically recommend 60 mcg ( mcg NOT mg) zinc from chelate, 5 -7 times a week before bed.
How long you should take zinc depends on how low you are, which I can see on a hair analysis.
If you take too much zinc, you can get nauseated or vomit, have a loss in appetite, have some stomach cramping or diarrhea, and get a headache.
If you take too much zinc for too long, you typically have lower copper levels, which I often see on the hair analysis.
If your copper and zinc levels are out of balance, it can weaken your immune system, and this can leave you susceptible to catching a cold or the flu. This is why you get relief if you use zinc lozenges when you have a sore throat.
So, monitor your zinc levels if you come down with more than one cold during the winter. Your levels just might be out of balance.
There are many good zinc products available, but Zinc Chelate is a very good form to use.
Chelate is a form of mineral that is surrounded by amino acids, making it easier for your body to absorb, which is good. Chelation enables the body to transport minerals across the intestinal wall as part of digestion.
This is a really good thing.
I like Carlson Company products, but there are many good zinc products available. Try to buy a chelated form for better assimilation when possible.
Foods With Zinc
Here are 10 of the best foods that are high zinc:
- Meat;
- Shellfish;
- Legumes – chickpeas, lentils and beans;
- Seeds;
- Nuts;
- Dairy;
- Eggs;
- Whole Grains;
- Sweet potatoes;
- Dark chocolate.
Zinc. A mineral of choice.
DISCLAIMER AND PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
Dr. Hull’s vitamin and detoxification recommendations are not intended to replace legal, medical, or any other professional service. The information provided is not a replacement for professional advice or care. If you require nutritional, medical, or other expert services, please seek appropriate professional care. The author, contributors, publisher and their employees are not liable or held accountable for any damages arising from or in association with the application of any information contained in this Detoxification Program or vitamin product recommendations.
