Zinc became very popular in the past 12 months, and for a good reason! Our immune system can’t function without it. Zinc is the second most abundant mineral in your body after Iron and it is present in every cell. However, our bodies can’t store or produce zinc.
This powerful mineral takes part in cell production, DNA health and they both are crucial if we are talking about skin health. Cell growth and division is in Zinc’s hands, so let’s take a look at it.
How do you know you have a Zinc deficiency?
Symptoms of mild Zinc deficiency include diarrhea, decreased immunity, thinning hair, decreased appetite, mood disturbances, dry skin, fertility issues and impaired wound healing.
In the modern world, we have a dangerous hidden problem called malnutrition. We eat calorie rich foods, often processed or cooked and we don’t feel hungry, but our body is missing out on many vital vitamins and minerals, many times including Zinc.
I was thinking I had a good quality diet thanks to eating lots of fruit and vegetables of every colour. How big was my disappointment when I started my beauty nutrition studies and discovered that I was missing some very important vitamins and minerals!
Zinc was one of them! On a daily basis I was taking 30-50% of my daily recommended dose, and every Winter I was unwell so many times, with long periods of being sick without recovering!
Last Summer, my family started to use Vitamin D and Zinc supplements as a protection against the virus, but in reality it benefits the whole body. As a result, I was unwell just once since last October, and it is a great achievement for me! I was full of energy and positive the whole winter.
Where to get your edible Zinc sources
Nutritious vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, kale, and garlic contain Zinc, as well as other vital vitamins and minerals. Legumes like chickpeas, lentils, and beans are also very good sources.
Add foods like hummus, edamame and black beans to your meals for extra Zinc and plenty of other health benefits.
If you are a meat eater, oysters and red meat are also a great source of Zinc. If not, consider to take a Zinc supplement!
All these foods will be a great source of other important minerals and vitamins too, so lots of reasons to enjoy them even more. Bon appetit!
With Love,
Zane
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