Good Facts About Zinc:

• Zinc is needed to make protein
• Zinc helps your body to fights off bacteria
• Together with vitamin A, Zinc forms a good protection of skin cells
• Without zinc your gums wouldn't survive
• Cold Sores heal rapidly with the aid of Zinc
• Zinc may attract calcium to the weak bones

Bad facts about zinc:

• An American study showed that over 50% of children in the US aged 2-10 had a zinc intake below the recommended daily values.
• Symptoms of zinc deficiency include: hair loss, slowed growth, reduced taste perception, inadequate healing of wounds, delayed sexual maturation, mental disorders, birth defects, poor alcohol tolerance, anemia, dermatitis.

Now you see why zinc is so important to your body. It has numerous important functions, such as conversion of calorie-containing nutrients to energy, mineralization of bones, detoxification of alcohol in liver, as well as the maintenance of normal blood levels of vitamin A.

Zinc may also help in the prevention of cancer as well as its treatment. It strengthens the body's defense in the immune system against abnormal cell growth. Vitamin A, which is known for its protective effect against cancer, also interacts with zinc providing growth to epithelial cells.

Foods Rich in Zinc

• Lean Meat and Liver
• Tuna
• Nuts
• Cheese
• Rice
• Almonds
• Plain Yogurt
• Whole Cereals
• Potatoes and Spinach
• Pumpkin/Sunflower Seeds

References:

• Editors of Prevention Magazine. The Complete Book of Vitamins and Minerals. Pennsylvania, Rodale Press. 1988.
• Health Media of America and Elizabeth Sommer. The Essential Guide to Vitamins and Minerals. New York, HarperPerennial. 1992.