Zinc, an Essential Mineral
Whether your a meat-eaters, vegetarians, vegans or raw foodist, eating balanced meals is important. Even with more people transforming their lifestyles and eating a healthier diet, it doesn’t mean we are getting all the essential nutrients – vitamins and minerals – to keep our bodies humming perfectly. Supplements are often overlooked or we purchase low-grade brands that don’t really benefit us. Because our soil is depleted in acceptable amounts of minerals and micronutrients our bodies need to thrive, we need to consider taking pure supplements to make up these deficiencies. Zinc is one of those critical trace minerals we need to stay healthy. Being deficient in zinc is a spark that ignites illness.
As credulous as this may sound, nearly everyone is deficient in zinc. Including this important mineral daily will not only assist with deep-rooted illnesses, but will also help prevent any in the future health conditions.
Zinc Deficiency Symptoms
Very often when we experience illness or uncomfortable symptoms we end up visiting our physician. Doctors may not discern your condition is zinc related unless they test your blood for a zinc deficiency. Your symptoms may continue and even accelerate if not recognized. Here are some common zinc deficiency symptoms.
- feeling lethargic
- hair loss
- unexplained weight loss
- appetite loss
- skin and eye lesions
- eye floaters
- diarrhea
- impaired cognitive function
- brain fog
- slow wound healing
- skin disorders – acne, psoriasis,
- night blindness
- things taste odd
- Psychological disorders
- delayed growth
- poor immune function
- mood swings
- gout
- arthritis
- cancer
- adrenal problems
- heart palpitations
- sinus infections
- migraines
- vertigo
- UTI’s
- hearing loss
- allergies
- shingles
- Epstein Barr Virus
- Autism
- and many more
Causes
The main cause of zinc deficiency is inadequate dietary intake. We’re simply not eating the right foods or taking the right amount of zinc supplements. Other causes are our bodies don’t absorb enough zinc and those who have chronic conditions. Vegan and vegetarians have been found to have low zinc levels, but there are food sources like hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, quinoa, green peas, spinach, lentils, oatmeal, wild rice, radishes, and many more that offer adequate doses of zinc.
Benefits
The Epstein Barr Virus is the culprit in many health-related conditions and zinc is one of the most important minerals that can fight this virus and other ailments like shingles and herpes simplex. Zinc kills viral cells and reduces inflammatory reactions to neurotoxins produced by these viruses.
Zinc boosts the immune system by fortifying our white blood cells. It strengthens the endocrine system, supports the adrenal glands, good for treating diarrhea, helps prevent macular degeneration, heals and rejuvenates our skin, alleviates itchy scalp and clears up dandruff, heals rashes and so much more.
There are many brands of zinc on the market, but not all are potent. The right brand really does matter. I use the Vimergy brand Organic Zinc Sulfate. It’s free from any citric acid, natural flavors, alcohol, or any detrimental ingredients.