Due to a lack of trace elements in the soil, even in most ‘organically’ farmed soils, trace element deficiency in modern society is almost universal.  This is true even if you eat a healthy diet with plenty of organic fruit and vegetables, include raw vegetable juices in your diet or consume trace element rich superfoods such as Barley Grass Juice Powder and Seagreens (Pelvetia Canaliculata) 

Soil deficiencies have reduced zinc levels available in our food supply and some zinc is removed in food processing.  Zinc deficiency is extremely widespread. It’s symptoms of deficiency are numerous and often difficult to ascertain, however white spots on nails, stretch marks, poor sense of taste are strong indications of deficiency.  Zinc is needed for a healthy sex life and for prostrate health. Lack of zinc in pregnancy can lead to poor development of the foetus, or in severe deficiency, to birth defects. All pregnant and nursing mothers would do well to take a 15 mg zinc tablet on retiring.  Alcohol consumption depletes zinc levels in the body.

Zinc is considered an essential trace mineral. It performs over 300 enzymatic functions in the body and plays a role in virtually all biochemical pathways and physiological processes. Every cell in the body needs zinc; hundreds of body processes rely upon it. Zinc is needed for normal growth and development. Zinc also has antioxidant properties, and is important to proper maintenance of Vitamin E levels in the blood. It also improves the activity of vitamin A.  Moreover, it is a constituent of the powerful antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD). Your body cannot store zinc but has a rapid turnover rate, which is why you need to keep supplies up.

It is essential for a healthy immune system, helps to balance blood sugars through insulin, (also chromium and vanadium) helps to maintain healthy liver function, digestion and proper metabolism of carbohydrates.    It also helps to maintain a healthy nervous system, is involved in reproductive organs, prostate gland and healthy semen.

Zinc Dose Requirements

Taking a zinc supplement of 15 mgs a day on an empty stomach (or as part of a Multi Trace Supplement with iron excluded) is just about enough to eliminate a zinc deficiency status in the long term, there will be cases where more is needed on a long term basis, such as increased physical activity (e.g. those on athletic training), mal-absorption conditions, and regular sexual activity (especially males).  

To overcome a zinc deficiency in a reasonable length of time – perhaps a few weeks extra zinc is required e.g. 30 mgs daily. A sensible protocol would be to take a multi-trace element supplement including zinc any time of day on an empty stomach and isolated zinc (plus a little copper in the correct ratio) on retiring at a dose of 30 mgs for a few weeks. There after reductions in dose can be maintained and eventually, depending on the person, a multi trace element formulae that includes 7 mgs daily of food state zinc may be taken on retiring, or immediately on waking. The absorption of zinc is reduced by iron, and therefore if you take an iron supplement take it at the opposite end of the day to zinc, or at least a few hours apart.  For some with higher zinc needs or mal-absorption, food state zinc with copper should be taken on its own on retiring (15 mg tablets) with a multi-trace supplement at another time in the day.

We supply Zinc in a food state form - see the article Food State Nutrients for more information.

Disclaimer: Regenerative Nutrition advocate a holistic approach to natural health and wellbeing.   The body's ability and power to heal depends upon the totality of diet, nutrition, lifestyle and environmental factors.  No claims for the cure of any disease is intended, or implied.  Always consult a health care practitioner when combating disease states.   The statements in this article have not been approved by the FDA.