Zinc is a mineral that is vital to healthy living. Even a small zinc deficiency can cause health

problems, including decreased immunity to diseases such as the common cold.

Zinc is probably most widely known for its ability to prevent colds and shorten the duration of colds.

This is because of zinc’s powerful ability to strengthen the immune system and improve white

blood cell count. Zinc has even been able to help AIDS patients increase their immunity. Zinc is

necessary for the function of many enzymes in the body. Zinc aids in regulating hormones, and it

has shown to help maintain prostate health and even increase fertility. Zinc can help prevent and

heal cold sores. Zinc aids in the body’s absorption of minerals, which means it can help prevent

osteoporosis by helping the body absorb calcium. Zinc can improve the health of your skin and

hair. The anti-inflammatory benefits of zinc can also help reduce the appearance of acne. Zinc has

also been shown to help heal ulcers, and it can help you maintain a healthy digestive tract.

THE SOURCE SITE
http://ezinearticles.com /?The-Health-Benefits-of-Zinc& id=492220

Answered by Sanya Tahir , an ibibo Master, at 9:41 AM on September 09, 2008

well rinku!
Getting enough zinc can wonders in numerous health conditions. Zinc activates white blood cells to fight infections. It helps protect the body against viruses. Men need zinc for sperm production and to keep the prostate gland healthy. Zinc helps the pancreas make insulin and keep normal sugar levels.

Zinc is essential for good memory. Zinc supplements even help teenagers get better grades in school.

How important is zinc? Zinc is present in every cell in the body. It is a component of over 200 enzymes. There are high amounts of zinc in red blood cells, white blood cells, your bones, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and retina. Men have high concentrations of zinc in the prostate gland. Every cell in the body needs zinc to divide and replace itself when the body makes new tissues.

Here are two lists. One is a list of conditions that can occur when the body does not get enough zinc. The second is a list of conditions that improve due to the benefits of zinc supplements.

Not getting enough zinc can lead to chronic fatigue, dermatitis, diarrhea, hypothyroidism, female infertility, impaired platelet aggregation, insulin resistance, and loss of taste or smell. It can cause reduced resistance to infection, night blindness, poor appetite, poor memory, attention deficit disorder, and reduced learning ability, and it can cause slower growth in children, slow healing of wounds, and infertility in men. Add to this list Acrodermatitis enteropathica, Alopecia, atrophy of the testes, bone loss and osteoporosis, decreased sperm count, decreased sperm motility, delayed puberty, nerve cell problems in Alzheimer's disease and Down's syndrome, and ringing in the ears.

Among the benefits of zinc supplement is improved immune function. Other benefits of zinc supplements are adding calcium to bones and teeth, lowering blood sugars, helping interferon work in treating hepatitis C, clearing up bacterial prostatitis, and recharging the male sex drive. They can help recovery in brain injury, improve brain function, restore night vision, increase sperm count, and stimulate the libido.

Extra zinc can help bring out weight gain in anorexia nervosa and help children with sickle cell disease. It can even cure bad breath.

Who needs the benefits of zinc supplements? You might be surprised. The United Nations University found that 20% of people worldwide are deficient in zinc. Zinc in supplements is needed to prevent childhood infections and diarrhea and to support normal growth and development.

Think you're safe if you eat a good diet? Think again. Scores of modern medications deplete the body's stores of zinc. Any women who takes the Pill or hormone replacement therapy or medication to prevent osteoporosis is at risk for nutritional deficiency and may need zinc supplements. Heart patients, diabetics, and epileptics also need zinc supplements.

Even some supplements increase the body's need for zinc. Calcium supplements, magnesium supplements, and whey all can interfere with the absorption of zinc. Never take zinc at the same time you take these supplements, and always be sure you are getting enough of the benefits of zinc supplements if you take any supplements for bone health or muscle health.

What about side effects of zinc supplements?

If you take too much zinc, your body will have difficulty absorbing copper. It's OK to take up to 20 mg every 2 hours for as long as 2 weeks to fight a cold, but for everyday nutrition limit your intake to 15 mg a day. Zinc supplements can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but only if you take about a gram-over 60 times the recommended dose.

How can you tell if you are taking too much zinc?

Here is a simple test. Overdoses of zinc numb your taste buds to bitter flavor and metallic aftertastes. Zinc has a metallic taste. If you can't taste zinc, you don't need to take it! The benefits of zinc supple

Answered by sanjay , an ibibo Guru, at 9:25 AM on September 09, 2008

zinc functions include metabolism of protiens required for insulin synthesis by pancreas. it also has a role in immunity function.
defeciency causes sterility,lowbirt weight,intrauterine growth retardation and preterm delevery.

Answered by surendra , an ibibo Advisor, at 12:30 AM on September 09, 2008

well,Zinc is a mineral found in almost every cell and is an essential nutrient for the body. Zinc is available in various food sources and is also made available as supplements (as single-ingredient or multi-vitamins).
Zinc promotes biochemical reactions in the body by stimulating activity in about 100 enzymes. Zinc is essential for a healthy immune system, aids in wound healing, helps maintain the sense of smell and taste, supports normal growth and development, and is essential for DNA synthesis. In the form of zinc salts, it helps fight against pathogens when directly applied.

The ingestion of zinc salts also help in gastrointestinal infections, providing antimicrobial action in the GI tract. Zinc salts are also used as lozenges, to help kill bacteria and viruses. It should be noted however, that the administration of zinc to fight against pathogens without damaging tissues, is still being studied.

Answered by Debashis , an ibibo Master, at 12:02 AM on September 09, 2008

Zinc though by itself may not be much of importance,its been proved that zinc in trace quantities helps in better adsoption of Vitamin C,also known as ascorbic acid.Possibly this better absorption of ascorbic acid in itself acts as a stimulus,in defending the body from minor infections like cold.

Answered by Iyer56 , an ibibo Advisor, at 10:33 PM on September 08, 2008

Zinc is present in all the tissues of the body and is essential component of a wide range of enzymes.It is also necessary for maintaining and replicating of each individual's genetic material(DNA and RNA),and the body's ability to interpret this genetic information Thus this mineral is vital for the normal growth of the body.It plays an especially important role in the developement of the ovaries and the testes-a deficiency in childhood and adolescence impairs growth and sexual development.It is also needed for the efficient functioning of the immune system.
Zinc is also necessary for a healthy appetite and assists in our ability to taste foods.It is needed for night vision and the metabolising of alcohol,and is also required by enzymes involved in the destruction of FREE RADICALS.

Answered by SUKUMARAN , an ibibo Master, at 10:27 PM on September 08, 2008

Zinc is an essential mineral that is found in every cell in our body. It stimulates the activity of about 100 enzymes, substances that promote biochemical reactions in your body. Among its many functions, zinc helps maintain a healthy immune system, is needed for wound healing, helps maintain your sense of taste and smell, and is needed for DNA synthesis. Zinc also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence, and helps sperm develop and is needed for ovulation and fertilization.

Answered by pankaj , an ibibo Advisor, at 9:28 PM on September 08, 2008

Well Rinku

With the many vitamins and minerals available in supplements, it’s hard to know what you really need to maintain your health. Zinc is a mineral that is vital to healthy living. Even a small zinc deficiency can cause health problems, including decreased immunity to diseases such as the common cold.

Zinc is probably most widely known for its ability to prevent colds and shorten the duration of colds. This is because of zinc’s powerful ability to strengthen the immune system and improve white blood cell count. Zinc has even been able to help AIDS patients increase their immunity. Zinc is necessary for the function of many enzymes in the body. Zinc aids in regulating hormones, and it has shown to help maintain prostate health and even increase fertility. Zinc can help prevent and heal cold sores. Zinc aids in the body’s absorption of minerals, which means it can help prevent osteoporosis by helping the body absorb calcium. Zinc can improve the health of your skin and hair. The anti-inflammatory benefits of zinc can also help reduce the appearance of acne. Zinc has also been shown to help heal ulcers, and it can help you maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Before starting a zinc supplement, be sure to talk to your doctor about how much you need to take. It is possible to take too much zinc, which can have adverse affects on your health. Zinc inhibits the body’s absorption of copper, another important mineral, so it is important to make sure you are taking in enough copper if you are taking a zinc supplement. Alzheimer’s and diabetes patients should avoid taking zinc supplements.

more detail:- http://health.learninginfo.org/bene fits-of-zinc.htm

Answered by Priyanka C , an ibibo Master, at 9:15 PM on September 08, 2008

It improves the immune system.IT is needed for wound healing.Zinc lozenges is believed to stop cold.Hair loss and symptoms of retardation shows zinc deficiency/ Delivering a baby or Breast feeding can also reduce zinc.Keeping in mind the acute conditions that loss of zinc can cause us, we need to eat multivitamin tablets or zinc supplements in order to replenish he loss.

Answered by Vida Writer , an ibibo Master, at 9:11 PM on September 08, 2008

Hello Rinku..

Zinc is probably most widely known for its ability to prevent colds and shorten the duration of colds. This is because of zinc’s powerful ability to strengthen the immune system and improve white blood cell count. Zinc has even been able to help AIDS patients increase their immunity. Zinc is necessary for the function of many enzymes in the body. Zinc aids in regulating hormones, and it has shown to help maintain prostate health and even increase fertility. Zinc can help prevent and heal cold sores. Zinc aids in the body’s absorption of minerals, which means it can help prevent osteoporosis by helping the body absorb calcium. Zinc can improve the health of your skin and hair. The anti-inflammatory benefits of zinc can also help reduce the appearance of acne. Zinc has also been shown to help heal ulcers, and it can help you maintain a healthy digestive tract.

For more detail refer..
http://health.learninginfo .org/benefits-of-zinc.htm

Answered by Saq , an ibibo Master, at 8:48 PM on September 08, 2008