How Do Zinc Tablets Help You?

Zinc Tablets: Is supplementation a good idea?

Ever wonder how zinc tablets help you or if you should consider taking them, as a supplement? Do you know what zinc is and how it affects the human body?

The following information will answer your questions.

Zinc is a metallic, chemical element with the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. (1)

The majority of people who regularly consume well balanced diets normally receive sufficient zinc for normal growth and health, so they do not need extra supplementation with zinc tablets. It is always advisable to consult with a physician, if one is concerned about having any kind of a mineral deficiency, including zinc.

Zinc, as a mineral, is found in:

Lean red meats
Seafood herring and oysters
Vegetables peas and beans
Whole grains (2)

Other sources include:

Turkey neck (high levels)
Beef chuck and shank, (high levels)
Nuts almonds
Seeds pumpkin and sunflower (3)

A zinc deficiency occurs when a person does not eat a properly balanced diet and there is insufficient zinc to meet his or her metabolic needs. It can occur, if zinc is not absorbed properly (malabsorption) by the human body. There may be other reasons, as well.

Typical symptoms of a zinc deficiency or depletion of zinc could include any of the following:

Skin problems eczema, acne, psoriasis
Poor wound healing leg ulcers, oral lesions
Lines of Beau lines across the fingernails
Growth retardation
Delayed sexual maturation
Hypogeusia poor taste acuity
Chronic immunodeficiency
Frequent infections (4)

A zinc deficiency or depletion of zinc in the body, can be treated with supplementation in tablet form or zinc injections. Zinc tablets are preferable and this is a relatively inexpensive way to correct a deficiency. Life long treatment is required as the symptoms can re-occur, when a person no longer takes zinc. Any person taking zinc tablets should be under the treatment of a physician who is familiar with metal metabolism disorders, as well as a nutritionist. (5)

Here are some other interesting facts about zinc.

Phyates found in whole grain breads, cereals and legumes can decrease zinc absorption. (6)

Zinc is thought to delay age related macular degeneration when combined with anti-oxidants.

Zinc can impede the onset of the flu. (7)

It plays an important role in anorexia nervosa, as a deficiency can cause loss of appetite and malnutrition. (8)

Zinc is believed to be a neurotransmitter and low levels could result in the inhibition of neuron activity. Low levels are now associated with behavior disorders, like attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and conduct disorder (CD).

Zinc deficiency has also been confirmed in assaultive young males who show elevated serum copper levels. (9)

Diagnosis is made through a medical history, physical examination, laboratory analysis for plasma zinc and the observed response to zinc supplementation. (10)

Caution is required with respect to the unnecessary administration of zinc, as it can result in anemia or an imbalance in trace metals. The US recommended dietary allowance is 11 mg for males and 8 mg for females, but higher dosages are recommended during pregnancy and lactation. (12)

Talking to your doctor, following these guidelines or researching the topic of zinc supplementation further, may help you to obtain answers for any other questions that you have about how zinc tablets can help you.

(1)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc

(2)http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR602313

(3)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc#Food_sources

(4)http://www.hriptc.org/zinc_deficiency.html

(5)Ibid.

(6)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc#Food_sources

(7)Ibid.

(8)Ibid.

(9)http://www.hriptc.org/zinc_deficiency.html

(10)Ibid.

(11)Ibid.

(12) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc#Food_sources