5 fun facts about zinc that you didn't know

Considering the abundance of zinc in our everyday life it is quite surprising how little we generally know about zinc. 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. 

1. 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 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 for industry, after iron, aluminum, and copper. Zinc is also used in alloys such as brass, nickel silver and aluminium solder.

Zinc can be found in anything from batteries to sunscreen, from paints to airplanes or cars.  

2. Zinc is not only great for the immune system 

Zinc is considered an essential nutrient, meaning that your body can't produce or store it.

The mineral is important for immune function, white blood cell formation, egg fertilization, cell division and more than 300 enzymatic reactions. 

Zinc is also important to wound healing and your sense of taste and smell. Studies also suggest that zinc deficiency may be a causal factor in age-related vision deterioration. 

The most common causes for 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 etc. 

The people at the highest risk of zinc deficiency include infants who are breastfeeding and older adults. Pregnant women may also need more zinc than usual. 

3. Zinc is good for the skin 

Zinc is probably not the first thing that comes to mind in the context of healthy and beautiful skin. 

Surprisingly zinc offers many benefits one wouldn't think about immediately. Zinc works similarly like an antioxidant lessening the formation of free radicals. Zinc 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 acne creams. 

Besides, zinc oxide is often used in sunscreens and skincare products. Sunscreens with mineral ingredients are a great option for people who are worried about hormonal disruption or who have a sensitive skin. 

Many baby products for the treatment of diaper rash also include zinc oxide, which is insoluble in water and acts as a great barrier to moisture.

4. Oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food 

Best sources for zinc include meat, shellfish, legumes, seeds and nuts. Even dark chocolate is a good source for zinc.  Interestingly, oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food.

5. The largest producers of zinc are …

China, Australia, Canada, Peru, and the United States.

In ancient times (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 mainly used in sectors like galvanizing, die casting alloy, brass, zinc oxide, battery and others. 

Our recommendation for the winter: Triple Zinc 

Research shows that zinc supplementation can reduce the duration and severity of a cold, if it’s started early on. 

That is why we have added zinc to our list of winter must-haves. But in order for it to work, it has to be in a form that our body can absorb. 

Our popular blendTriple Zinc is a high strength formula, containing 25 mg elemental Zinc per dose. We included the three most bioavailable forms of Zinc in our latest blend - Zinc Picolinate, Bisglycinate and Monomethionine. To take the nutrient absorption potential to the next level, we added Vitamin C, a natural source derived from Acerola Fruit.

This supplement is a  great choice for anyone wanting to support their immune system, especially during winter.