Zinc - Vitamin and Herb Supplement Notes
Essential Trace mineral critical to health
Zinc is an essential mineral that is a
component of more than 300 enzymes needed to
repair wounds, maintain fertility in adults
and growth in children, synthesize protein,
help cells reproduce, preserve vision, boost
immunity, and protect against free radicals,
among other functions.
Zinc is required for tissue growth, repair and
maintenance. Wounds heal better when there is
enough zinc. Zinc often speeds the healing of
gastric ulcers. It is part of the insulin
molecule (which regulates blood sugar levels).
Zinc is used and eliminated rapidly within
days of a serious injury or burn. A loss of
smell or taste may represent a zinc
deficiency.
Men often take supplemental zinc for prostate
health; too little can lead to prostate
enlargement. Women often take moderate amounts
of zinc for PMS (with calcium), during
pregnancy and while nursing.
Research: Several double-blind trials
indicate that zinc supplements reduce the
severity of acne.1
In one double-blind trial, zinc was found to
be as effective as oral antibiotic therapy.
Also, in double-blind clinical trials, zinc
lozenges containing zinc gluconate, have been
effective, for reducing the duration of colds
in adults,
2
but other forms(such as lozenges flavored with
citric acid, tartaric acid, sorbitol, or
mannitol) are not effective.
(1) Dreno B, Amblard P, Agache P, et al.Acta
Dermatovener (Stockholm) 1989;69:541–3.
(2) Garland ML, Hagmeyer KO. Ann
Pharmacother 1998;32:93–69 [review].
