Zinc - Benefits, Deficiency and Food Source

The word Zinc is obtained from German word Zink. It is also known as spelter which is a metallic chemical element. Zinc is the first element of periodic table in group 12.The only common oxidation of Zinc is +2 (Zn++) which is so similar to magnesium. Zinc has five isotopes. Australia, Asia and The United States are the main depositor of Zinc. Zinc is discovered by a German Chemist Andreas Sigismund Marggraf in 1746. It is represented as Zn. In 1800 Luigi Galvani and Alessandro Volta discovered the electro chemical properties of Zinc. Zinc is used as common compound for different purpose. For example Zinc Carbonate and Zinc Gluconate are used as dietary supplement.

Zinc is an essential mineral for the health of human body. Zinc plays a wide range for functioning of human body and it is present in whole body. It is helpful in curing of wounds. It plays an important role in making healthy skin. Human body contains about 2-3g of Zinc. There is no specific storage place for Zinc in human body. A man needs more Zinc than Woman. The recommended amount of Zinc for Adult man is 1/3 time higher than woman.

Sources of Zinc

Zinc is present in a wide range of foods. A huge amount of Zinc is provided by Protein foods. A vegetarian contains less amount of Zinc than a non vegetarian because meat contains plenty of Zinc. Dairy products, bean, yeast, nuts and seeds are other sources of Zinc.

Benefits of Zinc

Zinc plays an important role in human body. There are so many benefits of Zinc. Some are as follows:-

• Zinc plays an important role in growth of cell.
• Zinc is mixed up in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and energy.
• It is necessary for healthy immune system.
• It is helpful in fighting from skin problems.
• Zinc plays an important role in sexual development.                                                  

Deficiency of Zinc

Deficiency of Zinc causes so many diseases. Some are as follows:-

Night Blindness - Night blindness is a poor vision at night.

Loss of Smell - It is also known as Anosmia. Under this disease functioning of olfaction is not working in a proper way.

Falling hair - The other name of this disease is Baldmess. A person has no hair on his head who is suffering from this disease.

White Spots - White Spots or Eczema is a skin disease in which a person has white spots on his body.

Symptoms of High Intake

If someone takes a large amount of Zinc, it can be harmful for his immune system. Eating of Zinc in a large amount is the cause of nausea, diarrhea and drowsiness.

When more is needed

A person who has the consumer of alcohol must needed Zinc in a large amount. Woman who is taking a birth control pill should also consider their Zinc eating.

Daily Requirement

Zinc is a reference supplement for eating. In the case of microelement the amount is very small although it is still important.