5 Facts About Zinc That You Didn't Know
Considering the abundance of zinc in our everyday life, it's quite surprising how little we generally know about this essential mineral. Many are familiar with zinc as an ingredient in supplements, but that's about it.
We want to shed some more light on the topic. In the process, we discovered some interesting facts—some of them things we never considered before.
Zinc Is Literally Everywhere
Zinc is much more common in our daily life than one might think. Zinc is in every cell of the human body, in the earth, in the food we eat, and in the products we use. In fact, zinc is the second most common trace metal, after iron, naturally found in the body.
At the same time, zinc is also the fourth-most common metal used in industry, after iron, aluminium, and copper. Zinc is also found in alloys such as brass, nickel silver, and aluminium solder. It can be found in anything from batteries to sunscreen, and from paints to airplanes or cars.
Benefits of Zinc Supplements: Not Just for the Immune System
Zinc is considered an essential nutrient, meaning that your body can't produce or store it. The mineral is crucial for immune function, white blood cell formation, egg fertilisation, cell division, and more than 300 enzymatic reactions.
Additionally, zinc is important for wound healing and your sense of taste and smell. Studies suggest that zinc deficiency may be a factor in age-related vision deterioration. The most common causes of zinc deficiency are reduced dietary intake, inadequate absorption, or increased loss.
Symptoms of zinc deficiency include:
- Growth retardation
- Loss of appetite
- Impaired immune function
- Hair loss
- Scattered white spots on nails
The people at the highest risk of zinc deficiency include infants who are breastfeeding, older adults, and pregnant women who may need more zinc than usual.
Zinc in Skincare Products: A Hidden Gem for Your Skin
Zinc is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about healthy and beautiful skin. However, zinc offers many benefits for the skin that one might not immediately consider. Zinc acts similarly to an antioxidant, reducing the formation of free radicals. It plays an important role in wound healing and is also known for its ability to reduce acne flare-ups—one reason you’ll find it in many acne creams.
Moreover, zinc oxide is often used in sunscreens and skincare products. Sunscreens with mineral ingredients like zinc oxide are a great option for people who are concerned about hormonal disruption or who have sensitive skin. Many baby products for treating diaper rash also include zinc oxide, which is insoluble in water and acts as a great barrier to moisture.
The Best Sources of Zinc: Where to Find This Essential Mineral
The best sources of zinc include meat, shellfish, legumes, seeds, and nuts. Even dark chocolate is a good source of zinc! Interestingly, oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food, making them an excellent choice for boosting your zinc intake.
The Largest Producers of Zinc
The largest producers of zinc are China, Australia, Canada, Peru, and the United States. In ancient times (from the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries), zinc was mainly used for making brass coins in the Ming and Qing Dynasties of China.
Today, China is the largest producer and consumer of zinc metal in the world. Zinc is primarily used in sectors such as galvanising, die-casting alloy, brass, zinc oxide, batteries, and more.
Boost Your Immune System with Triple Zinc
Research shows that zinc supplements can reduce the duration and severity of a cold if started early on. That's why we've added zinc to our list of winter must-haves. However, to be effective, it must be in a form that our body can absorb.
Our popular blend, Triple Zinc, is a high-strength formula containing 25 mg of elemental zinc per dose. We've included the three most bioavailable forms of zinc in our latest blend—Zinc Picolinate, Bisglycinate, and Monomethionine. To maximise nutrient absorption, we've also added Vitamin C, naturally derived from Acerola Fruit.
This supplement is a great choice for anyone looking to support their immune system, especially during winter.
