Zinc is said to improve the overall immune system of the body. It enables our body to build 100 different enzymes and protects our body from various types of ailments and diseases. Zinc is needed for the proper growth and development of the body. It is also very effective for the skin and keeps your skin healthy and beautiful. It can repair damaged tissues and heal wounds faster. It also improves the quality of taste, smell, eyesight, hair and skin. It helps in producing testosterones in men and lowering the PMS symptoms in women.
Food sources of Zinc:
foods such as walnuts, cashews, shrimp, kidney beans, oysters, mussels, chickpeas, baked beans, almonds, mozzarella, sesame, pumpkin, spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, squash, blackberries, broccoli, Swiss cheese, kiwi, low fat yogurt, cheddar cheese, lima beans, lentils, turkey, chicken, mince beef, pork etc are good sources of zinc.
Benefits of Zinc for Skin:
Acne:
Acne often causes inflammation and scars on your skin. Zinc can be applied topically on the affected areas to prevent inflammation and the scars caused due to acne. You can also consume it for the same. Zinc has the ability to reduce the natural oil (sebum) production in the skin. It is also good for curing burns, damaged skin, boils, eczema, ulcers and psoriasis. So, zinc is beneficial for the skin in many ways.
Benefits of Zinc for Hair:
Scalp conditions:
Most of the shampoos that we use contain zinc. Zinc is great for curing fungal infections on the scalp like dandruff.etc.
Health and Medicinal Benefits of Zinc:
Angina:
Angina is chest pain or discomfort. You suffer from this when the right quantities of oxygen and blood do not reach the heart muscles. It is also known as myocardial ischemia. The zinc gluconate is effective for curing angina.
Bone development:
Zinc is a cofactor for enzymes and is therefore very beneficial for bone remodelling. Bone mineral consists mainly of fluoride and zinc. Zinc helps in the prevention of chances of osteoporosis. If your body is deficient in zinc, the health of the bones may be affected. So, make sure that you consume sufficient amount of zinc rich food to keep your bones healthy.
Blood pressure:
Zinc is very beneficial for reducing hypertension and for giving a boost to your immune system. It helps in fighting against the infections and stress that lead to high blood pressure. Zinc is also rich in some antioxidants that help in protecting your arteries from the harmful effects of hypertension.
Cancer:
Including zinc in adequate amounts in your daily diet can help in preventing cancer. This is because it is rich in some antioxidants that can fight against cancer causing cells. By consuming enough of zinc daily you can treat breast cancer to a certain extent. It also protects your skin from the harmful actions of the UV rays of the sun. Zinc is therefore an important ingredient in most of the sunscreens in the form of zinc oxide. This makes it beneficial for the prevention of skin cancer.
Cold and infections:
Zinc supplements can help in decreasing the severity of cold and other mild illnesses. It can stimulate the activities of white blood cells and make it ideal for reducing colds and infections. It protects your body from infectious disorders and fungal infections, which include pneumonia and conjunctivitis.
Diaper rash:
Zinc is also very beneficial for the babies because it can cure and prevent diaper rash.
Good oral health:
Zinc is also good for your teeth and gums. Zinc citrate is found in most of the toothpastes and mouthwashes. It helps in preventing dental plaque and gingivitis. When your teeth are healthy, bacteria and tartar will not thrive on them.
Kidney:
The functioning of your kidneys may be affected by some health disorders like high blood pressure, kidney diseases and diabetes. Zinc plays an important part in the functioning of your kidneys, both as a mineral and nutrient. Deficiency of zinc in the body can cause angiotensis ll which is a condition in which the passage of blood to the kidneys is obstructed. During pregnancy if your body suffers from zinc deficiency, the maturation and development of kidneys of the baby can be affected. It also increases the chances of you suffering from high blood pressure and renal dysfunction.
Premenstrual symptoms:
Iron and zinc help in managing premenstrual symptoms. By consuming more than 15 milligram of zinc per day you can reduce premenstrual symptoms risk. Zinc is also good for keeping a control over other mood-related symptoms like depression and mood swings.
Weight loss:
Zinc can be of great use to obese people as it helps in losing weight. A number studies connected with zinc says that zinc can decrease appetite. This way you are prevented from overeating. This is because of the manipulation of the hormone ghrelin by zinc. It is this hormone which tells the body when it wants to eat.
Important Tips for the Consumption of Zinc:
- Avoid over dosage of zinc
- Before you start taking zinc supplements it is better that you consult your doctor.
- Zinc deficiency can lead to the appearance of white spots on your finger nails. Dry skin, hangnails, diarrhoea, hair loss, frequent colds and low sex drive are other symptoms of zinc deficiency.
- Pregnant women should always include zinc in their diet.
So, you can see that zinc has lots of benefits for your health, skin and hair. Try to include zinc in your daily diet and stay fit and healthy.