Zinc & Health – How Zinc Can Benefit Our Health

From the masks and social distancing to the quarantine, we are all aware of the different changes that society all around the world has had to endure in order to adapt to “the new normality” that this year brought.

Governments had to take action, emphasizing the various measures that people must follow to avoid contracting COVID-19. These measures were mainly based on maintaining a higher level of hygiene than most people were used to.

We are all familiar with the measures established by the World Health Organization (WHO), such as hand washing for at least 20 seconds, using alcohol gel after any contact, keeping at least 2 meters distance from other people, avoiding public places, keeping a conscious quarantine, avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth, among several other precautions to be taken into account.

Another very important aspect that has also circulated quite a lot in the media is the day-to-day diet to be followed. It was commented on several “miracle diets” that one should follow, assuring that in this way one could avoid contracting the virus. Unfortunately, these diets have certain shortcomings.

One of the main products in ZINC INDUSTRIAS NACIONALES SA are zinc oxide and zinc sulphate, representative raw materials for the Pharma industry, a sector with a wide potential given the situation. 

In this edition of our blog, we will mention the different benefits that zinc can bring to people’s health.

BENEFITS OF ZINC IN THE DAILY DIET

No one can doubt the importance of zinc in a healthy diet. From blood to the hair, this element can be found in almost every part of the body. That’s why including zinc in a diet helps feeling healthier.

No one can doubt the importance of zinc in a diet that keeps you healthy. From your blood to your hair, this element can be found in almost every part of your body. That’s why including zinc in your diet helps you be and feel healthier. 

According to Medline Plus, the U.S. National Library of Medicine, zinc’s main functions include helping the immune system fight off different viruses and bacteria, make proteins, and even DNA itself. In addition, it helps improve wound healing, regenerates baby tissue, and makes the sense of taste and smell work properly.

This dietary supplement can be found naturally in a variety of animal proteins, such as beef, pork, and lamb, as well as fish. Nuts, whole grains, legumes, and yeast are also a good source of zinc.

It should be noted that fruits and vegetables are not a good source of zinc and that is why vegetarians and vegans often have low levels of zinc, which is why it is necessary for them to consume zinc via supplements.

Artificially, there are different companies that produce over-the-counter medicines. It can be found in different presentations, such as pills, nasal sprays and nasal gels for the common cold.

ZINC DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

There are different symptoms that indicate a lack of zinc in the body. Medline Plus indicates that some are:

• Frequent infections
• Hypogonadism in men
• Hair loss
• Loss of appetite
• Problems with the sense of taste and smell
• Skin soreness
• Slow growth (chelated zinc)
• Difficulty seeing in the dark 
• Wounds that take a long time to heal

On the other hand, if large amounts of this supplement are taken, the effects may come in the form of diarrhea, abdominal cramping and vomiting. These symptoms usually show up 3-10 hours after intake.

ZINC AND CORONAVIRUS

With all that has been mentioned, it is necessary to emphasize that due to the situation, several studies have been carried out relating health to zinc, due to its properties.

G.S Mudur, editor for The Telegraph India, comments in his column that there is evidence indicating that zinc, although it is not a cure for the coronavirus, can be beneficial in patients with the disease.

Mudur says that doctors at Grossman University in New York supply patients with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, a mixture to which zinc sulfate was added to test its effects. The test results were positive, decreasing the need for ventilation or intensive care admission.

Joseph Rahimian, the doctor who led this research, reminds us that zinc has an important role in maintaining the integrity of the human immune system. Thanks to various medical studies, it is known that zinc can slow down the rate at which the coronavirus multiplies. Rahimian indicates that it is difficult to produce enough zinc to be used as a disease prevention method, but by mixing it with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, it can improve molecular absorption.

On the other hand, the Russian Ministry of Science and Education reports that zinc has had encouraging results in the prevention and treatment of coronavirus. The study is based on research conducted by Moscow-based Séchenov University, along with colleagues in Germany and Greece, which determined the following:

 “(…) zinc can slow down the action of coronavirus RNA polymerase (enzyme that synthesizes RNA molecules) and suppress its spread in the body”, according to the statement.

It should be noted that one of the risk factors for pneumonia is zinc deficiency in the body, a fact that supports this research, since the coronavirus affects the body’s respiratory functions.

We hope that this information has been useful to you. At ZINSA we care about the different uses of the products we manufacture, and we are proud to be part of this process.

Feel free to write us through our contact section to provide you with more information according to your requirements.

If you know about more benefits of this metal or if you have any questions about it or zinc products, leave us your comment below and we will gladly answer you.

Other posts that might interest you: