Zinc
Zinc is a metallic element of micro-core minerals, which plays many functions in the human body , As it is an essential and essential catalyst for the work of more than 300 different enzymes in the body , And its importance in many functions of the body and its presence in all cells, but the largest concentration is in the muscles and bones, and zinc was discovered as a staple food in the sixties in the children and adolescents of Egypt, Iran and Turkey, who suffered from a severe delay in growth and sexual maturity.
Zinc is involved in many basic functions of the body, such as its role in various metabolic processes, in the production of insulin, in the production of genetic material and proteins, in the reactions of the immune system, in the transfer of vitamin A, in the sense of taste, healing wounds, sperm production, And the natural development of embryos, and get these functions when the body is sufficient and needs of zinc, which affects the lack of them and others .
The body needs zinc in small amounts to prevent the symptoms of deficiency, especially the delay in growth and the accompanying, but the use of zinc pills and nutritional supplements in many health conditions , And we will learn in this article about the most important uses of zinc pills studied in scientific research.
Daily zinc requirements by age group
The following table shows the daily requirements and maximum daily intake of zinc by age group.
| Age group | Daily needs (mg / day) | Upper limit (mg / day) |
|---|---|---|
| Infants 0-6 months | 2 | 4 |
| Infants 7-12 months | 3 | 5 |
| Children 1-3 years | 3 | 7 |
| Children 4-8 years | 5 | 12 |
| 9-13 years (males + females) | 8 | 23 |
| Males 14-18 | 11 | 34 |
| Males 19 years and over | 11 | 40 |
| Females 14-18 years old | 9 | 34 |
| Females 19 years and over | 8 | 40 |
| Pregnancy less than 18 years | 13 | 34 |
| Pregnant 19 years and over | 11 | 40 |
| Lactation is less than 18 years | 14 | 34 |
| Lactation 19 years and over | 12 | 40 |
Food sources of zinc
Foods containing proteins are the highest dietary sources of zinc. Their sources include crustaceans, meat, poultry and liver, as well as pulses and whole grains if consumed in large quantities. Phytates in cereals reduce their absorption, They should be handled high , Also considered ready-made breakfast cereals, milk and its products, nuts are also good sources of it , The content of vegetables varies from zinc depending on the soil content planted , And the intake of adequate protein sources is linked to obtaining sufficient amounts of zinc .
Benefits of zinc pills
It is not recommended to take zinc pills regularly and continuously for no reason justifies it, and should not be taken until after consultation with the doctor to ensure that it is suitable for the health situation, and does not interfere with any of the drugs being taken and for the appropriate dose The uses of zinc pills include:
- The most obvious, most effective and effective use of zinc pills is to treat zinc deficiency and restore it to normal, where zinc deficiency occurs in cases of severe diarrhea that reduce the ability of the digestive system to absorb food, alcoholism, liver cirrhosis, postoperative surgery, Long tube feeding , The incidence of which is low in the Middle East and in developing countries, and the chance of being deficient in pregnant women, young children, the elderly and the poor Athletes and postmenopausal women who take calcium pills .
- Zinc pills can be taken in people who are unable to get their dietary needs .
- Zinc intake is effective in treating severe diarrhea in malnourished or zinc-deficient children .
- Zinc therapy is effective in treating the symptoms of Wilson’s genetic disease, which raises the level of copper in the body, where zinc inhibits copper absorption and stimulate the body to get rid of it .
- Some studies suggest that people with acne may have low zinc levels, and zinc intake has been found to help treat acne .
- Zinc tablets can be used to treat the condition of zinc in the body. .
- Zinc intake reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration, and zinc intake with some anti-oxidant vitamins, and not alone, slows down the development of advanced vision loss associated with age .
- Zinc intake contributes to weight gain and relief of depression in people with anorexia. .
- Eating dietary zinc supplements with conventional therapy can help relieve symptoms of ADHD. Some studies have found that children with this disorder can have lower levels of zinc than non-infected children, especially in the Middle East, which is a deficiency Zinc is more prevalent than Western countries, and it is not known whether zinc intake contributes to the alleviation of symptoms of this disorder in Western children .
- Zinc pills can help reduce the duration of candida in adults .
- Some studies have found that taking zinc with depression drugs alleviates its symptoms and has been shown to have an effect on people who do not respond to medication alone .
- Zinc gluconate helps to reduce skin rash in infants due to diapers .
- Zinc intake can help reduce the risk of esophageal cancer in people who do not get enough of it. Some preliminary studies have found that zinc intake is associated with an increased risk of developing this type of cancer .
- Some studies suggest that eating zinc pills improves the sense of taste in people with reduced tasting ability, which is caused by zinc deficiency or other causes .
- Some studies suggest that oral zinc intake improves leishmania lesions, .
- Improves zinc intake from leprosy, when taken with anti-leprosy drugs .
- Zinc intake contributes to the treatment of muscle cramps in people with cirrhosis .
- Zinc intake helps in cases of swelling and ulceration of the mouth after radiotherapy .
- Zinc intake with calcium, manganese and copper may slow bone loss in postmenopausal women. In addition, there is a link between reduced intake of zinc and osteoporosis .
- Zinc intake (zinc acexamate) helps prevent and treat ulcer cases .
- Some studies have found that zinc intake reduces the risk of pneumonia in undernourished children, and the results of studies differ in the extent of its effect in cases of this disease .
- Eating zinc supplements during pregnancy reduces the risk of premature birth. Taking it with vitamin A helps treat night sickness in pregnant women. .
- Zinc intake contributes to the treatment of pressure ulcers .
- Studies suggest that ingestion of zinc, selenium and iodine, as well as traditional therapy, helps relieve symptoms of prostatitis in prostatitis, .
- Zinc intake helps reduce the symptoms of sickle cell anemia in people with zinc deficiency and reduces its complications and problems .
- Zinc intake improves the treatment of foot ulcers, especially in people with low zinc levels before treatment .
- Zinc intake with vitamin A helps treat vitamin A deficiency in malnourished children better than zinc or vitamin A alone .
- Some preliminary studies suggest that zinc intake with Zidovudine can reduce the risk of infection in cases of acquired immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) .
- Some preliminary studies suggest that zinc intake can improve liver function in people with alcoholic liver disease .
- Some preliminary studies suggest that taking dietary zinc supplements can improve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease .
- Some preliminary studies suggest that ingestion of zinc after treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reduces the chance of other types of infection in older persons .
- Some preliminary studies suggest that zinc intake reduces cholesterol in people with arterial blockage .
- Some preliminary studies suggest that zinc intake improves social behaviors and abilities in people with memory loss .
- Some preliminary studies suggest that zinc intake improves nerve function and reduces blood sugar levels in people with neuropathy caused by diabetes. .
- Some preliminary studies suggest that zinc intake improves some brain function in people with liver failure, while other studies have not found the same result .
- Some preliminary studies suggest that zinc intake can improve sperm count and increase reproductive capacity in men with infertility and low testosterone, while other studies have not found similar results in men with fertility problems. Research .
- Some preliminary studies suggest that zinc and vitamin A may help treat some types of parasitic infections in developing countries .
- Some preliminary studies suggest that zinc intake reduces the amount of time needed to recover after surgery .
- Some preliminary studies suggest a role for zinc in the treatment of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other conditions .
- Zinc can play a role in burns .
- Zinc pills may need to be taken in cases of surgical removal of the stomach .
- Your doctor may suggest taking zinc pills in some cases of type 2 diabetes .
- Some preliminary studies suggest a role for zinc in the treatment of type 1 and type 2 herpes virus .
- Some preliminary studies suggest that zinc intake during radiotherapy periods in the head and neck in cancer cases gives better results than radiotherapy alone, but this effect needs further scientific research .
- Some preliminary studies suggest that zinc intake reduces some side effects of chemotherapy .
Zinc toxicity
Eating high doses of zinc, ranging from 50 to 450 mg, can cause some symptoms of vomiting. These include vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, etc. The maximum daily intake is based on a zinc-copper conflict , Which in experimental animals causes a breakdown of the heart muscle Eating dietary zinc supplements can lead to toxic levels .