Why is zinc important
In combination with calcium and iron zinc is one of the most important substances to our body and it utilized by our biological systems in a number of ways. By suffering from a zinc deficiency individuals can face a number of health issues, with many conditions being either caused or exacerbated by a lack of zinc. Some conditions that are affected include anything from common everyday acne to diabetes.
The reason for this large impact upon our body’s functionality lies in zinc’s role in how various organs metabolize it for their functionality. The pancreas, for instance, requires zinc for the production of insulin and the regulation of glucose levels within our blood stream. A lack of zinc can cause a glucose imbalance and therefore either bring about or increase the severity of diabetes. At the same time without proper regulation our white blood cell efficiency is compromised, meaning that a lack of zinc can cause any umber of infections to develop or become worse.
Men in particular should pay close attention to their zinc levels and ensure a regular consumption over time, especially those with an active sex life. This is due to the fact that sperm actually contains a large amount of zinc that is utilized in its production and when ejaculated must be replenished accordingly. Failure to do so may result in any number of zing issues to develop, especially if this is done regularly and without a proper diet.
Many foods naturally contain large amounts of zinc for our body to utilize, and if you are worried about ever developing a zinc deficiency a simple diet change may be all that is necessary to ensure a healthy balance. The most plentiful sources of zinc are various meats (though lamb in particular has a high content in relation to its size), some seafood such as oysters, eggs, oats and various nuts.
As with all nutrients, however, be careful if you wish to take supplements for your everyday diet. An over-abundance of zinc can potentially cause a chemical overload and do damage as well if your body is unable to process it out of your system appropriately (most likely through urine or feces).