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Thinking about Supplementing your Diet with Zinc? Here’s What You Need To Know.

What is Zinc?

Minerals can be classified into two categories, major minerals and trace minerals. Trace minerals include essential and nonessential nutrients found in the body in amounts less than 5 grams.

Zinc is a ubiquitous trace mineral element found all over the human body. Eight percent of the body’s stored zinc is found in the skin and hair.

What Does Zinc Do?

Zinc has many functions in the body and is notably involved in:
• Supporting immune system function*
• Healthy vision, smell and one’s ability to taste*
• Normal cell division and growth*
• Influencing the synthesis of collagen in bone tissue*
• Supporting antioxidant health as it can function as an antioxidant within the body*

Zinc as a Supplement

As an essential nutrient, zinc cannot be made by the body. It can only be obtained through the diet. Although small amounts of zinc are found in a wide variety of foods, the richest sources of zinc are oysters and mollusks. Zinc is also found to a lesser extent in meat, poultry and dairy. The RDA for most healthy adults is between 8-11 mg of zinc per day, depending on age and gender. Vegetarians can have a difficult time meeting these targets through diet alone since it is mostly found in animal products. Seniors have also been found to consume less than the recommended amounts of zinc1. If the body’s supply of zinc is insufficient, it will break down zinc-containing enzymes deemed as less essential as a way to release zinc for more critical functions1. Solgar® Zinc caplets are an easy, vegetarian-friendly way to help fill those nutritional gaps in your diet.

Immune System Function

Keeping you healthy is not an easy task. That is why the immune system has evolved into a complex network of organs, cells, tissues and proteins that all work together to keep you at your best. Your immune system relies on various nutrients to help it carry out its necessary functions. Zinc supports three distinct aspects of immune function to offer broad spectrum immune support.*

  1. Skin barrier – your body’s fi rst line of defense*
  2. Supports immune cell production – important for optimal immune health*
  3. Antioxidant activity – to support a healthy immune system*

A Closer Look:

SKIN BARRIER. The skin creates a physical barrier that serves as the body’s first line of defense. Zinc is an essential nutrient that supports the health and integrity of the skin.*

Did you know? Zinc’s important role in skin health goes beyond supporting a healthy immune system.* It also promotes a clearer complexion for people with non-cystic acne.*

SUPPORTS IMMUNE CELL PRODUCTION. Zinc is essential for cell division, which is important for daily maintenance but becomes especially important for rapidly dividing immune cells multiplying to keep the immune system functioning at its very best.*

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY. During a healthy immune response, your body can produce above normal amounts of free radicals. Free radicals can cause oxidative stress and lead to the premature aging of your own cells.* Antioxidants like zinc help to fight against free radicals.*

Your immune system is working around the clock to help keep you at your best, so return the favor! There are many factors that affect overall health. Some factors like age cannot be changed, but there are many simple lifestyle modifications you can make to optimize your immune health.

  • AGE. The immune response starts to weaken around 60 and continues to weaken with age2.
  • SLEEP. Important immune proteins called cytokines are released while we sleep4. It is important to regularly get adequate, restful sleep to support functions of the immune system.
  • STRESS. Both physical and emotional stress can negatively impact the immune system. The stress hormone cortisol has been shown to decrease white blood cell numbers3.
  • PHYSCIAL ACTIVITY. Regular moderateintensity exercise performed on a neardaily basis is associated with better immune health. Unfortunately, over 80% of U.S. adults are not meeting recommended amount of aerobic and musclestrengthening activities5.
  • SMOKING. Smoking impacts white blood cells involved in both innate and adaptive immune support6. It is estimated that nearly 14% of US adults are smokers7.
  • NUTRITION. The immune system needs proper nutrition to function optimally. There are a number of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that play a role in supporting immune health.* Zinc is widely recognized as one of the most important minerals needed for healthy immune function.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

1.Gropper SS, Smith JL, Gro , JL. Fifth edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning; 2009.

2. Pawelec G, Larbi A, Derhovanessian E. J Comp Pathol. 2010;142 Suppl 1:S39-S44.

3. McGregor BA, Murphy KM, Albano DL, Ceballos RM. Stress. 2016;19(2):185-191.

4. Krueger JM, Majde JA, Rector DM. Handb CLin Neurol. 2011;98:299-240.

5. President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Website. Updated January 26, 2017. Accessed August 14, 2020. https://www.hhs.gov/fi tness/resource-center/facts-and-statistics/index.html

6. Qiu F, Liang CL, Liu H, et al. Oncotarget. 2017;8(1):268-284. [6]

7. Smoking & Tobacco Use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Updated May 21, 2020. Accessed August 14, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm