subject: Zinc Supplements Can Save You From The Flu [print this page] The cold season is here and we are all trying to stay away from colds and that nasty flu as much as we can. Zinc supplements taken with vitamin C can help you with that so you can be flu-free this winter and enjoy the snow as much as possible. In case you already caught a cold, at least you can reduce the symptoms or the discomfort period associated with the winter's health problems.
There are many roles the mineral zinc fulfills in our body, most of them being essential for us to survive and be healthy. Dr. Jenny Tylee makes us a list about what zinc is, or what zinc does in our body:
required for more than 200 enzyme activities in the body;
crucial in the structure and function of the cell membrane;
the principle protector of the immune system;
required for hormones, growth, energy metabolism and hemoglobin;
necessary for the storage of insulin;
required for prostaglandin synthesis;
required for the synthesis of collagen;
needed for the detoxification of alcohol;
necessary for vitamin A metabolism and distribution;
important for the prevention of cancer;
needed to prevent blindness associated with aging;
an antioxidant;
essential for male fertility;
needed for the transportation of carbon dioxide
When your body doesn't have the zinc quantity it needs, the zinc deficiency installs with its symptoms. You will have to immediately start to add more zinc in your daily nutrition program if you are facing any of these symptoms:
white spots on the fingernails;
poor hair growth and abnormal hair loss;
anorexia or poor appetite;
depression, irritability and nervous breakdowns;
under functioning sex glands;
loosing the senses of taste and smell;
apathy;
infertility in men;
poor growth in children;
slow wound healing;
skin rashes or acne
The United Nations University recently pointed out the devastating effect of zinc deficiencies of the world's population. Nearly 50% of the world's population is at risk for zinc deficiency because of the inadequate zinc intake. More than 80% of Americans are suffering from zinc deficiency. The pregnant women or the ones breast-feeding have to raise the zinc dosage with 50%. If not, this lack in pregnant women can cause a retard fetal growth and abnormalities, also an abnormal labor. The John Hopkins School of Public Health estimates that 80% of pregnant women do not have an intake of zinc to meet the needs of pregnancy. The zinc sulfate should be avoided though by pregnant women because it has the capacity to cross the placenta and get to the fetus. The major causes of zinc deficiency are:
self-selected and institutional diets;
pregnancy;
high fiber diets;
alcohol consumption,
old age;
diuretic medication consumption;
various drugs (especially the contraceptives);
multiple injuries and breaks;
diabetes mellitus;
gastrointestinal causes, associated with special diets, pancreatic disease, colitis and diverticulitis.
