Zinc

KENTS TIPS

A lot of people are zinc deficient but medicine has problems in how to measure it. Let me explain. If you have serum levels of zinc lower than 10 micromoler per litre then you are deficient in zinc. But if you have levels of zinc in your blood higher than 10 micromoler per litre you may still be deficient in zinc. Why? Because most of the zinc in our bodies are found in the tissue, not in the blood.

This is why many nutritional specialists recommend serum levels of at least 14 mmol/l.

If you supplement with zinc and you have lower levels than 10 micromoler per litre you will have significant health benefits. What could they be? Thyroid function may improve-- the conversion of inactive T4 to active thyroid hormone T3 is a zinc dependent process. Zinc is essential for the conversion of beta carotene to vitamin A. What this means is you could eat so many carrots (Beta carotene is found in vegetables like carrots) that you'd actually turn orange and yet you'd still be vitamin A deficient. Vitamin A is essential for your eyes, your skin and your immune system. Speaking of your immune system, zinc is even essential for the formation of the key part of the immune system certain --white blood cells that are essential for immune function. Zinc is even essential for the balancing and replenishment of key neurotransmitters in the brain. That's why we have good studies showing that zinc has been helpful in depression. So, zinc is essential from everywhere from your skin to your brain.

At NutriChem we make a 30 miligram zinc citrate chelate which is well absorbed and well tolerated. We put this zinc in all our multivitamins. We even customize zinc levels in our custom formulations based on individual requirements up to 200 miligrams. Now, just because zinc is at the end of the alphabet, we certainly can't forget about it.

Zinc is an elemental trace mineral, a metal which is naturally-occurring in animal, vegetable and mineral substances.

Why take Zinc?
Zinc is an essential nutrient for human health, a component of over 20 enzymes responsible for vital chemical reactions in the body.  It is required for synthesis of new proteins, such as collagen, hormones, antibodies, enzymes, and hydrochloric acid.  As a component of insulin, zinc is required for healthy blood sugar metabolism.  Zinc is also needed for a healthy immune system, general growth and reproduction.  It is particularly important to males, who require more of it for healthy prostate and sexual function.

Who benefits from Zinc?
Certain members of the population have increased needs for zinc.  Pregnant women and teenagers have heightened demands for zinc as their bodies work extra hard to generate new tissue during rapid periods of growth.  In addition, vegetarians are more susceptible to deficiency because high fiber plant foods may bind zinc, making it less accessible than zinc from animal products.  Individuals with frequent colds and flus, acne, stretch marks, appetite loss, hair loss, indigestion, poor night vision, prostate problems and/or a decrease in sense of smell or taste may be zinc deficient.  Moreover, zinc has been used therapeutically to treat these conditions.  Women on oral contraceptives, or hormone replacement therapy, as well as individuals on arthritis or blood pressure medication may also be more prone to zinc deficiency.

Chelated for Better Absorption
Chelation in this context refers to the process of binding minerals with proteins to improve its absorption through the gastrointestinal walls.  Although soil organisms naturally chelate minerals to be uptaken by plants, minerals directly taken from rock are not chelated and therefore require some assistance if they are to be absorbed effectively.  For this reason, NutriChem�s Zinc is chelated to vegetable protein for improved cellular uptake.  The resulting product is an effective, easily absorbed mineral, useful for maintenance of zinc status in the body.

Free of Common Allergens
NutriChem Zinc is encapsulated without unnecessary fillers.  There is no wheat, yeast, soy, dairy, sugar or gluten in the product, making it safe for those with sensitivities or allergies to these substances.

DIRECTIONS 
Take 1 capsule daily or as directed.

Caution:  Do not exceed 100mg daily total of all zinc supplements.  Take with food.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS  
Zinc (HVP* Chelate) 30mg
*Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, chelated with rice protein

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS  
Methylcellulose

KEYWORDS 
Zinc, elemental, trace mineral, naturally-occurring, enzymes, chemical reactions, proteins, collagen, hormones, antibiodies, hydrochloric acid, insulin, blood sugar, immune system, growth, reproduction, males, prostate, sexual function, pregnancy, teenagers, vegetarians, deficiency, high fiber, bind, animal products, colds, flus, acne, stretch marks, appetite loss, hair loss, indigestion, poor night vision, smell, taste, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, arthritis medication, blood pressure medication, chelated, gastrointestinal walls, vegetable protein, cellular uptake

CONDITIONS  
Pregnancy, teenagers, vegetarians, colds, flu, acne, stretch marks, appetite loss, hair loss, indigestion, poor night vision, prostate problems, decrease in sense of smell or taste, smoking, oral contraceptive use, hormone replacement therapy, arthritis medication use, blood pressure medication use

REFERENCES

1. The Real Vitamin and Mineral Book, 2nd ed.  Shari Lieberman, PhD and Nancy Bruning.  Avery Books, 1997.